Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang: Clearing Phlegm and Easing Respiratory Discomfort
Hongji Medical- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
In treating respiratory conditions, clearing phlegm and stopping cough are key. Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang, a classic Chinese herbal formula, is valued for its ability to clear heat, dissolve phlegm, regulate qi, and relieve pain. It is widely used to address symptoms caused by phlegm obstructing the chest, supporting respiratory health.
Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang comes from the Ming Dynasty physician Gong Tingxian’s Wanbing Huichun (Restoration of Health from All Diseases), a comprehensive medical text with practical, effective formulas.
Historically, it was used to treat phlegm accumulation in the chest causing difficulty coughing up phlegm, chest pain, restricted movement, chest fullness, alternating chills and fever, rapid breathing, and, in severe cases, phlegm blocking mental clarity and speech.
Formula Explanation of Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang
Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang has a complex composition, reflecting the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:
Monarch Herb: Gua Lou (peeled). Gua Lou clears heat, dissolves phlegm, opens the chest, and regulates qi, targeting chest pain and difficulty coughing up phlegm.
Supporting Herb: Zhi Shi (bran-fried). Zhi Shi breaks qi stagnation, clears accumulation, and dissolves phlegm, enhancing Gua Lou’s heat-clearing and chest-opening effects.
Assistant Herbs: Jie Geng, Bei Mu, Fu Ling, Chen Pi, Huang Qin, Shan Zhi Zi, Dang Gui, Sha Ren, Mu Xiang. Jie Geng (dehusked) opens the lungs and clears phlegm; Bei Mu (core removed) clears heat and stops cough; Fu Ling (peeled) strengthens the spleen and calms the mind; Chen Pi regulates qi and dries dampness; Huang Qin (decayed parts removed) clears heat and detoxifies; Shan Zhi Zi cools blood and clears heat; Dang Gui nourishes and activates blood; Sha Ren warms the spleen and stimulates appetite; Mu Xiang moves qi and aids digestion.
Envoy Herb: Gan Cao. Gan Cao harmonizes the formula.
Together, these herbs clear heat, dissolve phlegm, regulate qi, and relieve pain. Decocting with fresh ginger and adding bamboo sap or ginger juice enhances its phlegm-clearing and cough-stopping effects.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang
To understand Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang’s treatment principles, we need to explore its targeted pathogenesis from a Chinese medicine perspective. It addresses three key issues: phlegm-heat accumulation, qi stagnation, and impaired lung function.
Phlegm-Heat Accumulation
Poor diet or external heat pathogens can generate phlegm-heat in the body. When phlegm-heat accumulates in the lungs, it blocks normal qi flow, causing cough and difficulty expectorating. Phlegm-heat also damages lung tissue, worsening the condition.
Qi Stagnation
The lungs rely on smooth qi flow for proper function. Phlegm-heat obstructs lung qi, leading to qi stagnation, which causes chest tightness and pain. In severe cases, phlegm-heat disrupts qi flow, resulting in rapid breathing or wheezing.
Impaired Lung Function
The lungs govern qi and respiration, facilitating smooth qi movement. Phlegm-heat and qi stagnation impair the lungs’ ability to disperse and descend qi, hindering gas exchange and affecting breathing.
Main Effects of Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang
Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang is primarily used to treat symptoms caused by phlegm obstructing the chest. Specific symptoms include:
Inability to cough up phlegm
Chest pain restricting movement
Chest fullness, alternating chills and fever, and rapid breathing
Phlegm blocking mental clarity, impairing speech
It is mainly used for dry phlegm cough and clinically applied to chronic cough, chest phlegm accumulation, and phlegm-related speech issues, such as in chronic bronchitis.
The formula offers the following key effects:
Clearing Heat and Dissolving Phlegm: Removes phlegm-heat, easing expectoration difficulties.
Regulating Qi and Relieving Pain: Smooths qi flow to reduce chest pain.
Opening the Chest: Clears chest congestion and relieves tightness.
Modern Applications
Modern research confirms Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang’s value in supporting treatment of:
Chronic bronchitis
Bronchial asthma
Bronchiectasis
Pneumonia
Lung abscess
Precautions
When using Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang, keep the following in mind:
Pattern Differentiation: Chinese medicine emphasizes pattern-based treatment. Consult a practitioner to confirm suitability.
Caution for Yin-Deficient Dry Cough: Its heat-clearing and phlegm-dissolving properties require caution in yin-deficient dry cough to avoid worsening yin deficiency.
Conclusion
Gua Lou Zhi Shi Tang, a classic formula from Wanbing Huichun, remains valuable in modern times. Its comprehensive approach—clearing heat, dissolving phlegm, regulating qi, and relieving pain—effectively addresses chest discomfort caused by phlegm-heat accumulation, supporting respiratory health.
