Formula Formulas that clear Heat and transform Phlegm

Gun Tan Wan

滚痰丸

Also known as:

Flushing Away Roiling Phlegm Pill

Formula Composition

Meng Shi
Meng Shi
Da Huang
Da Huang
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Chen Xiang
Chen Xiang
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Drains Fire and Phlegm

Patterns Treated

Phlegm Misting the Heart, Phlegm-Heat

Historical Origin

Subtle Import of the jade Key (1396 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Gun Tan Wan

Main Actions

Drains Fire and Phlegm

Key TCM Concepts

Gun Tan Wan is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Chlorite Schist (Meng Shi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1396 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and transform Phlegm. Its main action is that it drains Fire and Phlegm .

 

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 Gun Tan Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm Misting the Heart or Phlegm-Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as anxiety neurosis, manic depression or schizophrenia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Phlegm Misting the Heart
  • Phlegm-Heat

Common Applications

Anxiety neurosis Manic depression Schizophrenia Pediatric seizure disorder Epilepsy Viral encephalitis Stubborn headaches Bronchial asthma Acute bronchitis Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Ingredients in Gun Tan Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Gun Tan Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Meng Shi
Meng Shi

Chlorite Schist

Temperature Neutral
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used The mineral
Role in Gun Tan Wan
Meng Shi is sweet, salty and neutral. It strongly drives Phlegm retained in the Stomach and Intestines downward and out of the body. It also descends the Qi to calm wheezing, arrests palpitations, pacifies the Liver, and suppresses anxiety and convulsions. It is used in its calcined form to ensure that its propertiesare rapidly dispersed.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Gun Tan Wan
Da Huang is bitter and cold. It cleanses Fire from the Upper Burner by descending it through the Large Intestine in the Lower Burner. Therefore, it unblocks the obstruction of the Yang Organs. Unless the obstruction is removed, there is no clear path for removal of Phlegm-Fire from the body. It is also good for Dampness and Heat congealing into Phlegm in the Middle and Lower Burners. It expels pathogens to halt their violence, and has a special ability to uproot chaos and restore normality. The key and deputy herbs thus strongly drive out the Phlegm via the Intestines. The large dosage of this herb is used to thoroughly transform the root of this disorder. It is also washed in wine in order to direct their action to the Upper Burner from which it can then exerttheir downward-directing action via the Middle and Lower Burners.
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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 Gun Tan Wan
Huang Qin is bitter and cooling. It clears Fire from the Upper Burner to prevent it from scorching the Body Fluids and therebygenerating more Phlegm. The large dosage of this herb is used to thoroughly transform the root of this disorder. It is also washed in wine in order to direct their action to the Upper Burner from which it can then exerttheir downward-directing action via the Middle and Lower Burners.
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Chen Xiang
Chen Xiang

Agarwood

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Wood shavings
Role in Gun Tan Wan
Chen Xiang is bitter, acrid and warming. It regulates the Qi and open constraint, rapidly directing the Rebellious Qi downward in order to eliminate the Phlegm. It is included in this formula follows the principle that, in treating Phlegm disorders, it is useful to first regulate the Qi, since it is the Qi that motivates the movement of Body Fluids in the body. In addition, its warming nature slightly buffers the cooling action of the three other ingredients in order to protect the normal Qi.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Gun Tan Wan

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated during pregnancy and postpartum. Because of the rather strong, harsh properties of this formula, it should not be used in weak individuals or in the absence of excessive heat and chronic, stubborn Phlegm.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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