Ding Chuan Tang
Star定喘汤 (Arrest Wheezing Decoction)
Source: She Sheng Zong Miao Fang (1550)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Ding Chuan Tang (Arrest Wheezing Decoction), from the She Sheng Zong Miao Fang, is used to descend Lung-Qi; eliminate phlegm-heat; arrest wheezing.
Presentation: acute wheezing from phlegm-heat obstructing the Lung; pre-existing hidden phlegm triggered by wind-cold invasion.
Syndrome: Syndrome of Qi stagnation in the Lung.
Composition strategy:
- dispersing (Ma Huang) with stabilizing (Bai Guo), ascending with descending, warm with cold herbs
- for acute excess Lung condition in patients with pre-existing phlegm-heat
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 268.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bai Guo
as printed: Bai Guo (Ginkgo semen)
|
9g | 13.04% | Jun (Chief) | eliminate phlegm and stabilize Lung-Qi |
|
Ma Huang
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Ma Huang (Ephedrae herba)
|
9g | 13.04% | Jun (Chief) | disperse Lung-Qi, expel exterior wind-cold |
|
Zi Su Zi
as printed: Zi Su Zi (Perillae fructus)
|
6g | 8.7% | Chen (Deputy) | descend Qi, eliminate phlegm, stop cough |
|
Kuan Dong Hua
as printed: Kuan Dong Hua (Tussilaginis farfarae)
|
9g | 13.04% | Chen (Deputy) | descend Qi, eliminate phlegm, stop cough |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Xing Ren (Armeniacae semen)
|
9g | 13.04% | Chen (Deputy) | descend Qi, eliminate phlegm, stop cough |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Pinelliae rhizoma)
|
9g | 13.04% | Chen (Deputy) | descend Qi, eliminate phlegm |
|
Sang Bai Pi
as printed: Sang Bai Pi (Mori cortex)
|
9g | 13.04% | Zuo (Assistant) | clear Lung heat, descend Lung-Qi |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Scutellariae radix)
|
6g | 8.7% | Zuo (Assistant) | clear Lung heat |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix)
|
3g | 4.35% | Shi (Envoy) | harmonize |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net neutral (+0.17)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 22%, neutral 17%, warm 61%.
Small but decisive: Huang Qin 6g (cold, 9% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 35%
- sweet 24%
- bitter 41%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Spleen 39%
- Large intestine 30%
- Stomach 26%
- Heart 13%
- Kidney 13%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoction; the source advises against using ginger and gives no specific dosing regimen.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 540.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = San Ao Tang + Bai Guo, Ban Xia, Kuan Dong Hua, Zi Su Zi, Huang Qin and Sang Bai Pi
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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