Zhi Suo Er Chen Tang
Star枳缩二陈汤 (Two-Cured Decoction with Aurantium and Cardamon)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (Ming, 1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhi Suo Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction with Aurantium and Cardamon), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian — a variation of Er Chen Tang.
Actions: Eliminates phlegm; Regulates qi circulation; Relieves pain.
Presentation: Phlegm stagnation above the diaphragm and below the heart: violent nausea and vomiting with severe pain; migrating, shooting pain of the upper and lower back from secondary qi and blood stagnation.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1212.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zhi Shi
chao (dry-fried) with bran; as printed: Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 6g
|
6g | 12.35% | resolves dampness, eliminates phlegm | |
|
Sha Ren
as printed: Sha Ren [Suo Sha] (Fructus Amomi) 6g
|
6g | 12.35% | resolves dampness, eliminates phlegm | |
|
Ban Xia
zhi (prepared) with ginger juice; as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 6g
|
6g | 12.35% | Er Chen Tang base: eliminates phlegm | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 6g
|
6g | 12.35% | Er Chen Tang base: eliminates phlegm | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 6g
|
6g | 12.35% | Er Chen Tang base: eliminates phlegm | |
|
Xiang Fu
as printed: Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) 6g
|
6g | 12.35% | activates qi and blood to relieve pain | |
|
Mu Xiang
as printed: Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 3.09% | resolves dampness, eliminates phlegm | |
|
Cao Dou Kou
as printed: Cao Dou Kou (Semen Alpiniae Katsumadai) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 3.09% | resolves dampness, eliminates phlegm | |
|
Gan Jiang
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 3.09% | activates qi and blood to relieve pain | |
|
Hou Po
chao (dry-fried) with ginger juice; as printed: Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 4.94% | resolves dampness, eliminates phlegm | |
|
Xiao Hui Xiang
chao (dry-fried) with liquor; as printed: Xiao Hui Xiang (Fructus Foeniculi) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 4.94% | activates qi and blood to relieve pain | |
|
Yan Hu Suo
as printed: Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 4.94% | activates qi and blood to relieve pain | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 1.85% | with Sheng Jiang harmonizes and protects middle jiao |
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 slightly warm (+0.52)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 12%, neutral 27%, warm 58%, hot 3%.
Small but decisive: Gan Jiang 1.5g (hot, 3% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 57%
- sweet 12%
- sour 4%
- bitter 21%
- bland 6%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Stomach 58%
- Lung 47%
- Kidney 30%
- Heart 22%
- Liver 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
Cook with 3 slices Sheng Jiang; take warm, strained decoction with Zhu Li.
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang + Ban Xia, Sha Ren, Xiang Fu, Xiao Hui Xiang, Yan Hu Suo and Zhi Shi
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.
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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Zhi Suo Er Chen Tang.
No notes yet.