Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Star沙参麦门冬汤 (Glehnia and Ophiopogonis Decoction)
Source: Wen Bing Tiao Bian (1798)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang (Glehnia and Ophiopogonis Decoction), from the Wen Bing Tiao Bian, is used to nourish Yin of Lung and Stomach; gently disperse residual heat.
Presentation: aftermath of febrile disease with Yin injured by heat; thirst; dry mouth; cough with scanty phlegm.
Syndrome: Syndrome of Lung-Yin deficiency.
Composition strategy:
- Two aspects: Yin deficiency and residual heat; many non-cloying Yin-nourishing herbs and only one heat-expelling herb (Sang Ye) show the emphasis
- Non-cloying herbs nourish Yin and disperse (not drain) heat, appropriate when post-febrile heat is weak
- Together the herbs increase Yin in both organs and reduce heat gently
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 160.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bei Sha Shen
as printed: Bei Sha Shen (Glehniae radix)
|
9g | 22.22% | Jun (Chief) | nourish Lung-Yin |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis radix)
|
9g | 22.22% | Jun (Chief) | nourish Lung- and Stomach-Yin |
|
Yu zhu
as printed: Yu Zhu (Polygonati odorati rhizoma)
|
6g | 14.81% | Chen (Deputy) | enhance nourishing Lung/Stomach Yin |
|
Tian Hua Fen
as printed: Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis radix)
|
4.5g | 11.11% | Chen (Deputy) | enhance nourishing Lung/Stomach Yin |
|
Sang Ye
as printed: Sang Ye (Mori folium)
|
4.5g | 11.11% | Zuo (Assistant) | clear Lung heat, moisten, descend Qi for dry cough |
|
Bai Bian Dou
as printed: Bai Bian Dou (Dolichoris lablab semen)
|
4.5g | 11.11% | Zuo (Assistant) | gently tonify Spleen-Qi injured by heat |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix)
|
3g | 7.41% | Zuo (Assistant) | clear heat and benefit throat |
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 (-1.04)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 33%, cool 48%, neutral 7%, warm 11%.
Taste
- sweet 67%
- bitter 33%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 89%
- Stomach 89%
- Spleen 41%
- Heart 30%
- Liver 11%
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; source text: decoct in 5 cups of water down to 2 cups, taken twice a day.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 669.
Relationships
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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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