Mu Fang Ji Tang
Star木防己汤 (Cocculus Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Mu Fang Ji Tang (Cocculus Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Activates water circulation to eliminate stagnation; Guides the reversed flow of qi downward.
Presentation: Water accumulation in the upper jiao: shortness of breath, dyspnea worse lying down, asthma, abdominal pain, fullness and distention of epigastrium and chest, dark facial complexion, scanty urination, edema, deep tight pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1125.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mu Fang Ji
as printed: Mu Fang Ji (Radix Cocculi Trilobi) 9g
|
9g | 20% | acrid and warm; promotes water circulation and eliminates water accumulation to relieve shortness of breath and dyspnea | |
|
Shi Gao
as printed: Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 12 pieces [18g]
|
18g | 40% | sweet and cold; clears Lung heat and relieves dyspnea | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 12g
|
12g | 26.67% | relieves dyspnea and helps eliminate water from the chest and diaphragm | |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 6g
|
6g | 13.33% | opens channels and collaterals and prevents reversed qi from rising to the Lung; diuretic with Mu Fang Ji |
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 cool (-0.80)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 60%, warm 40%.
Pairs warm and cool. 40% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 60% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 37%
- sweet 40%
- bitter 23%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Spleen 47%
- Kidney 47%
- Stomach 40%
- Heart 40%
- Bladder 20%
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
Cook in 6 cups [1,200 mL] water down to 2 cups [400 mL]; take warm in two equal doses.
Relationships
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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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