Qing Fei Tang
Star清肺汤 (Clear the Lung Decoction)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (Ming, 1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Qing Fei Tang (Clear the Lung Decoction), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Dispels heat and phlegm from the chest; Moistens the Lung and relieves cough.
Presentation: Chronic cough caused by heat and phlegm in the Lung: severe cough, thick and sticky phlegm, sore and itchy throat, and hoarseness.
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Expectorant: marked effect at 500 mg/kg orally (onset ~3 h); none at 50-100 mg/kg
- Antiallergic: inhibited leukotriene B4 synthesis in human alveolar macrophages and dose-dependently inhibited basophil growth/histamine in vitro; possible use in allergic disease incl. asthma
- Respiratory: inhibited SRS-A release, suppressed oxygen-radical chemiluminescence, increased airway fluid output and fatty acids, improved mucociliary transport; reduced mortality in mouse aspiration pneumonia via lower xanthine oxidase activity
- Anti-inflammatory: inhibits oxidative and arachidonate metabolism of lung inflammatory cells
Note: the book also describes a formula of the same name from Han Fang Yi Xue (p. 1227). This record follows the Wan Bing Hui Chun version.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1225, 1227.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 13.27% | clears damp-heat from the upper jiao/Lung | |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 6.19% | clears damp-heat from the upper jiao/Lung | |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 6.19% | clears the Lung and descends qi | |
|
Zhe Bei Mu
as printed: Zhe Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii) 3g
|
3g | 8.85% | clears the Lung and descends qi | |
|
Zhu Ru
as printed: Zhu Ru (Caulis Bambusae in Taenia) 3g
|
3g | 8.85% | clears the Lung and descends qi | |
|
Sang Bai Pi
as printed: Sang Bai Pi (Cortex Mori) 3g
|
3g | 8.85% | clears the Lung and descends qi | |
|
Jie Geng
as printed: Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis) 3g
|
3g | 8.85% | eliminates accumulated sputum and phlegm | |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Mai Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 6.19% | moistens the Lung, nourishes yin | |
|
Tian Men Dong
as printed: Tian Dong (Radix Asparagi) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 6.19% | moistens the Lung, nourishes yin | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 6.19% | nourishes blood, balances bitter-cold herbs | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 2.65% | nourishes blood, balances bitter-cold herbs | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 3g
|
3g | 8.85% | regulates qi flow | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 3g
|
3g | 8.85% | strengthens Spleen to reduce phlegm production | |
|
Wu Wei Zi
printed dose 7 pieces (no single modern dose); as printed: Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) 7 pieces
|
g | — | stabilizes and binds the Lung |
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 (-0.87)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 50%, cool 9%, neutral 20%, warm 21%.
Small but decisive: Zhi Zi 2.1g (cold, 6% of the grams), Zhe Bei Mu 3g (cold, 9% of the grams), Sang Bai Pi 3g (cold, 9% of the grams), Mai Men Dong 2.1g (cold, 6% of the grams), Tian Men Dong 2.1g (cold, 6% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 12%
- sweet 34%
- bitter 50%
- bland 4%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 94%
- Heart 61%
- Spleen 55%
- Stomach 31%
- Gallbladder 22%
- Large intestine 20%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Wu Wei Zi.
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
Grate and cook with Sheng Jiang and Da Zao; take warm, strained, after meals.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Jie Geng Tang + Ju Xing Wan + Dang Gui, Fu Ling, Huang Qin, Mai Men Dong, Sang Bai Pi, Tian Men Dong, Wu Wei Zi, Zhe Bei Mu, Zhi Zi and Zhu Ru
- This formula = Ju Xing Wan + Jie Geng Tang + Dang Gui, Fu Ling, Huang Qin, Mai Men Dong, Sang Bai Pi, Tian Men Dong, Wu Wei Zi, Zhe Bei Mu, Zhi Zi and Zhu Ru
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.
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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