Formula Formulas for a rebellious Qi

Ding Chuan Tang

定喘汤

Also known as:

Arrest Wheezing Decoction , Ephedra and Ginkgo Combination

Formula Composition

Bai Guo
Bai Guo
Ma Huang
Ma Huang
Sang Bai Pi
Sang Bai Pi
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Zi Su Zi
Zi Su Zi
Kuan Dong Hua
Kuan Dong Hua
Xing Ren
Xing Ren
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Lung Heat
  2. Descends Lung Qi
  3. Relief wheezing and cough
  4. Transforms Phlegm

Patterns Treated

Phlegm-Heat, Wind-Cold invading the Interior with Phelgm-Heat

Historical Origin

Multitude of Marvelous Formulas for Sustaining Life (1550 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ding Chuan Tang

Main Actions

Clears Lung Heat
Descends Lung Qi
Relief wheezing and cough
Transforms Phlegm

Key TCM Concepts

Ding Chuan Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ginkgo Nuts (Bai Guo) and Ephedra (Ma Huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1550 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas for a rebellious Qi. Its main actions are: 1) clears Lung Heat and 2) descends Lung Qi.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Ding Chuan Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm-Heat or Wind-Cold invading the Interior with Phelgm-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as chronic bronchitis, asthma or bronchiolitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Phlegm-Heat
  • Wind-Cold invading the Interior with Phelgm-Heat

Common Applications

Chronic bronchitis Asthma Bronchiolitis Bronchial asthma

Ingredients in Ding Chuan Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Ding Chuan Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Bai Guo
Bai Guo

Ginkgo nuts

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
Bai Guo transforms Phlegm, contains the leakage of Lung Qi, stops wheezing, and prevents Ephedra (Ma Huang) - the other key herb - from causing excessive dispersion and depletion.
View herb details
Ma Huang
Ma Huang

Ephedra

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Lungs
Parts Used Dried herbaceous stems
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
In general Ma Huang's main actions are as follows: "Releases the surface through sweating. Promotes the circulation of Lung Qi and stop wheezing. Promotes urination."

In the context of Ding Chuan Tang, it is used because it unblocks and redirects the Lung Qi, stops wheezing, and releases the Exterior.
View herb details
Sang Bai Pi
Sang Bai Pi

Mulberry bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root bark
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
In general Sang Bai Pi's main actions are as follows: "Clears heat from the lung, relieves asthma and induce urination to disperse swelling"
View herb details
Huang Qin
Huang Qin

Baikal skullcap roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
Huang Qin clears Heat and transforms Phlegm. Together with Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), they act to eliminate Phlegm Heat from the Lungs, arrest the wheezing and stop the coughing.
View herb details
Zi Su Zi
Zi Su Zi

Perilla seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
Zi Su Zi works together with Crow-dipper rhizome (Ban Xia) and Coltsfoot flower (Kuan Dong Hua) to support the key and deputy herbs in directing the Rebellious Qi downward, arresting the wheezing, and expelling Phlegm.
View herb details
Kuan Dong Hua
Kuan Dong Hua

Coltsfoot flowers

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried flower bud
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
In general Kuan Dong Hua's main actions are as follows: "Redirects Rebellious Lung Qi and stops coughing. Some coltsfoot plants contain toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver problems."
View herb details
Xing Ren
Xing Ren

Apricot seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
In general Xing Ren's main actions are as follows: "Stops cough and wheezing caused by either Heat or Cold. Lubricates the Intestines and relieves constipation."

In the context of Ding Chuan Tang, it is used because it reinforces the actions of Ephedra (Ma Huang) in expanding the Lungs and arresting the wheezing.
View herb details
Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Ding Chuan Tang
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Ding Chuan Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients in the formula.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ding Chuan Tang

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for Externally contracted Wind-Cold cases when there is no sweating and no Internal Phlegm Heat. Contraindicated for chronic asthma with Qi Deficiency and a frail pulse.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ding Chuan Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.