Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Star小承气汤 (Minor Order the Qi Decoction)
Source: Shang Han Lun (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction), from the Shang Han Lun, is used to gently purge accumulated heat; move the bowel.
Presentation: moderate obstruction of heat and Qi in the Large Intestine; after Da Cheng Qi Tang when accumulation is not fully cleared; tidal fever; constipation; abdominal fullness and pain not worse on pressure; tongue: red with a yellow, dry coating; pulse: slippery and rapid.
Syndrome: Accumulation syndrome due to excess heat in the intestine.
Composition strategy:
- No Mang Xiao because intestinal dryness is less severe; Zhi Shi and Hou Po reduced as Qi obstruction is milder.
- All three herbs cooked together, so purging is gentler than Da Cheng Qi Tang.
- Combination, dose and preparation are adjusted to the patient's current condition.
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 61.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Da Huang
role not stated; analogous to chief in Da Cheng Qi Tang; as printed: Da Huang (Rhei rhizoma)
|
12g | 44.44% | purges accumulated heat and moves the bowel | |
|
Hou Po
role not stated; as printed: Hou Po (Magnoliae cortex)
|
6g | 22.22% | moves Qi (reduced dose vs Da Cheng Qi Tang) | |
|
Zhi Shi
role not stated; as printed: Zhi Shi (Aurantii fructus immaturus)
|
9g | 33.33% | moves Qi (reduced dose vs Da Cheng Qi Tang) |
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 (-1.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 44%, cool 33%, warm 22%.
Taste
- pungent 22%
- sour 11%
- bitter 67%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 100%
- Stomach 100%
- Spleen 100%
- Pericardium 44%
- Liver 44%
- Lung 22%
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
The three herbs are cooked together.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Ma Zi Run Chang Wan = this formula + Jia Jian Cheng Qi Tang + Ma Zi Ren Wan + Dang Gui, Gua Lou Ren, He Shou Wu, Xuan Shen and Yu Li Ren
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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