Gun Tan Wan
Star滚痰丸 (Vaporize Phlegm Pill)
Source: Dan Xi Xin Fa Fu Yu — Fang Guang-Lei (Ming, 1536)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gun Tan Wan (Vaporize Phlegm Pill), from the Dan Xi Xin Fa Fu Yu (Additions to the Teachings for [Zhu] Dan-Xi) by Fang Guang-Lei.
Actions: Purges fire and eliminates phlegm.
Presentation: Old (chronic and stubborn) phlegm with excess heat: dian kuang (mania and withdrawal) or manic-depressive psychosis; severe palpitations with unconsciousness; coughing and wheezing with thick sputum; chest and epigastric fullness and oppression; dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus; nodules around the neck; peristalsis-like movements of the eyes and mouth; insomnia or disturbed sleep with bizarre dreams; severe stabbing joint pain; dysphagia with irritability and chest/epigastric oppression; constipation; yellow, thick tongue coating; slippery, rapid, forceful pulse.
Cautions:
- Very strong; reserve for robust patients with excess conditions
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and in generalized deficiency
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Antitussive and expectorant: 4.2 g/kg markedly suppressed cough and eliminated sputum
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1238.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Meng Shi
duan (calcined) at high temperature and fen sui (pulverized); as printed: Meng Shi, duan (calcined) at high temperature and fen sui (pulverized) (Lapis Micae seu Chloriti) 30g [3g]
|
3g | 8.57% | Jun (Chief) | removes chronic, stubborn phlegm |
|
Da Huang
zheng (steamed) with liquor; as printed: Da Huang, zheng (steamed) with liquor (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 240g [15g]
|
15g | 42.86% | Chen (Deputy) | bitter and cold; drains excess heat |
|
Huang Qin
xi (washed) with liquor; as printed: Huang Qin, xi (washed) with liquor (Radix Scutellariae) 240g [15g]
|
15g | 42.86% | Zuo (Assistant) | sedates phlegm-heat in the upper jiao |
|
Chen Xiang
as printed: Chen Xiang (Lignum Aquilariae Resinatum) 15g [2g]
|
2g | 5.71% | Zuo (Assistant) | guides Lung qi downward to stop cough and eliminate phlegm |
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 cold (-1.66)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 86%, neutral 9%, warm 6%.
Taste
- pungent 3%
- sweet 4%
- bitter 89%
- salty 4%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 91%
- Spleen 91%
- Large intestine 86%
- Lung 51%
- Liver 51%
- Heart 43%
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
Source text: grind to fine powder, form small water pills the size of Wu Tong Zi (~5 mm); take 40-50 pills with tea or warm water after meals and at bedtime, adjusting to severity. Today: pills 5-9g once or twice daily with warm water, or decoction at bracketed doses.
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Formula family
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
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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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