Xiao Xian Xiong Tang is a Chinese medicine prescription from the Han Dynasty, from the Treatise on Febrile Diseases, which is mainly used to treat symptoms caused by the combination of phlegm and heat. The background of this prescription can be traced back to the experience of ancient Chinese medicine in treating typhoid fever and other diseases, especially the treatment of "Xiao Jie Xiong Bing" caused by the misuse of laxatives due to exogenous wind-cold, which leads to the internalization of pathogenic heat and the accumulation of phlegm and heat under the heart.

Composition and explanation of Xiao Xian Xiong Tang recipe
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang is composed of three herbs: Coptis chinensis, Pinellia ternata, and Cucurbitacin. These three herbs are combined according to the principle of monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy to achieve the best therapeutic effect.
Main medicine: Melon
Efficacy : Melon has the effects of clearing away heat and resolving phlegm, regulating qi and relieving chest tightness. It can clear the obstruction of the chest and diaphragm and is the main medicine in the prescription.
Effect : Melon can clear away heat and resolve phlegm, especially for the phlegm and heat in the chest. It can also remove phlegm and blood stasis in the chest, like a broom, clearing away phlegm and heat.
Minister drug: Coptis chinensis
Efficacy : Coptis chinensis is bitter and cold in nature. It can clear away heat and relieve fire, and relieve lumps under the heart.
Effect : The bitter descending effect of Coptis chinensis can help Cucurbitacin to clear away heat and reduce fire, especially for the situation of phlegm and heat accumulated in the lungs, it can effectively clear away heat and resolve phlegm.
Adjuvant drug: Pinellia
Efficacy : Pinellia is spicy and dry in nature, can relieve adverse reactions, stop coughing, and resolve phlegm. It can also help Cucurbitacin eliminate phlegm and relieve chest pain.
Effect : The pungent effect of Pinellia ternata can complement the bitter effect of Coptis chinensis to achieve the effect of reducing fire, clearing heat, resolving phlegm and dispersing stagnation. Pinellia ternata and Cucurbitacin fruit can be used together to moisten and dry, and enhance the effect of clearing heat and resolving phlegm.

Pathogenesis of Xiaoxianxiong Tang
The pathogenesis of Xiao Xian Xiong Tang is mainly due to the binding of phlegm and heat, which leads to poor qi movement. When the exogenous wind-cold is treated with purgatives by mistake, the pathogenic heat is trapped inside and gathers with the turbid phlegm under the heart, forming Xiao Jie Xiong disease. This pathogen is located in the upper part of the body, and the heat and phlegm have not yet formed a solid stomach syndrome, so symptoms such as chest tightness and hardness under the heart will appear.
Phlegm and heat accumulate in the lungs, causing coughing up thick yellow phlegm, a yellow and greasy tongue coating, and a slippery and rapid pulse. These are all manifestations of phlegm and heat stagnation. Because phlegm and heat accumulate in the lungs and the Qi is not flowing smoothly, the patient will feel chest tightness and swelling and pain under the heart, which worsens when pressed. In this case, it is necessary to clear away heat and resolve phlegm, and regulate the Qi to dissolve the lumps and relieve the symptoms.

The composition of Xiaoxianxiong Tang is aimed at this pathogenesis. Through the combination of monarch, minister, assistant and envoy, it can achieve the effect of clearing heat and resolving phlegm, widening the chest and dispersing nodules. The gua shui shi in the prescription can clear heat and resolve phlegm, and regulate the qi mechanism; the coptis root can clear heat and purge fire, and dissolve the nodules under the heart; the pinellia tuber can relieve cough and resolve phlegm, and help eliminate phlegm and resolve nodules. The three complement each other and work together to resolve the phlegm and heat, and relieve chest tightness and chest pain.
The efficacy of Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
The main effect of Xiaoxianxiong Decoction is to clear away heat and resolve phlegm, widen the chest and disperse lumps . This prescription is particularly suitable for symptoms such as chest and abdominal distension, pain when pressed, and chest tightness and pain caused by phlegm and heat. By clearing away heat and resolving phlegm, Xiaoxianxiong Decoction can effectively dissolve phlegm and heat lumps in the chest and relieve the patient's discomfort , especially chest and abdominal distension, pain when pressed, or chest tightness and pain, or coughing up yellow and thick sputum, red tongue with yellow and greasy fur, and slippery and rapid pulse.

In addition, Xiaoxianxiong Decoction also has the function of dredging and regulating the flow of Qi. Phlegm and heat often lead to poor flow of Qi, which in turn causes symptoms such as chest tightness and hardness under the heart. The main drugs in Xiaoxianxiong Decoction, such as Guarana Fruit, Coptis chinensis and Pinellia tuber, can work synergistically to dredge the flow of Qi and dissolve lumps, thereby improving symptoms such as chest tightness and hardness under the heart, making the patient feel comfortable.
Modern Application of Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
In modern medicine, Xiaoxianxiong Decoction is widely used to treat various diseases related to phlegm and heat, such as acute and chronic gastritis, pleurisy, pleural adhesions, acute bronchitis, intercostal neuralgia, and angina. Contemporary Chinese medicine master Mei Guoqiang once used Xiaoxianxiong Decoction to treat cough and asthma, and achieved remarkable results.
In modern clinical applications, Xiaoxianxiong Decoction is also used to treat a variety of diseases related to phlegm and heat, such as acute and chronic gastritis, pleurisy, pleural adhesions, acute bronchitis, intercostal neuralgia, and angina. Its effects of clearing away heat and resolving phlegm, widening the chest and dispersing stagnation make it play an important role in the treatment of these diseases, providing patients with an effective treatment plan.
Notes
When using Xiao Xian Xiong Tang, you need to pay attention to the following points:
People with weak spleen and stomach should use with caution : The cucurbitacin in the recipe has a laxative effect. People with weak spleen and stomach and prone to diarrhea should use it with caution.
Drug compatibility : The coptis chinensis and pinellia ternata in Xiaoxianxiong Decoction have bitter, cold and pungent properties. They should be used under the guidance of a doctor for patients with weak and cold constitutions or other special conditions.
Modern Application : In modern clinical applications, Xiao Xian Xiong Tang is often used to treat a variety of medical conditions, especially those associated with phlegm-heat. However, due to its strong medicinal properties, it should be used with caution and adjusted according to the patient's specific conditions.
Conclusion
As an ancient Chinese medicine prescription, Xiao xian xiong Tang still has important application value in modern medicine with its unique formula and remarkable efficacy. Through a deep understanding of its composition, efficacy and modern application, we can better utilize this traditional prescription to provide effective treatment for patients.