Formula Formulas that disperse Dryness and moisten

Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang

沙参麦门冬汤

Also known as:

Sha Shen Mai Men Tang , Glehnia and Ophiopogonis Decoction , Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang

Formula Composition

Bei Sha Shen
Bei Sha Shen
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Sang Ye
Sang Ye
Yu Zhu
Yu Zhu
Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen
Bai Bian Dou
Bai Bian Dou
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach
  2. Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness

Patterns Treated

Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency

Historical Origin

Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang

Main Actions

Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach
Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness

Key TCM Concepts

Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Glehnia Roots (Bei Sha Shen), Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong) and Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1798 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that disperse Dryness and moisten. Its main actions are: 1) clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach and 2) generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness.

 

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 Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis or pulmonary tuberculosis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency

Common Applications

Pneumonia Bronchitis Pulmonary tuberculosis Chronic gastritis Diabetes

Ingredients in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Bei Sha Shen
Bei Sha Shen

Glehnia roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Bei Sha Shen is cooling, sweet, and slightly bitter. Despite its moistening nature,it is thought to dredge the Lungs. It is thus ideally suited forconditions where the tonification of Lung Yin must be combined with the venting of pathogens to the Exterior.
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Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Mai Dong is sweet and cooling and it enters both the Lungs and Stomach.It nourishes the Yin by generating Body Fluids by combining with Bai Sha Shen.
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Sang Ye
Sang Ye

Mulberry leaves

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried leaves
Role in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Sang Ye clears Dry-Heat because of its acrid, cooling nature. In combination with Sha Shen and Mai Men Dong, it vents the pathogenic Heat and expels the Dryness while enriching and nourishing the Body Fluids of the Lungs and Stomach.
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Yu Zhu
Yu Zhu

Angular solomon's seal roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Yu Zhu nourishes the Yin and moistens Dryness. It enriches without causing any Stagnation. When Yu Zhu and Tian Hua Feng are used together, they support the chief herbs in generating Body Fluids and clearing internal Heat.
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Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen

Snake gourd roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Tian Hua Fen clears Heat and generates Yang Body Fluids. When Yu Zhu and Tian Hua Feng are used together, they support the chief herbs in generating Body Fluids and clearing internal Heat.
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Bai Bian Dou
Bai Bian Dou

Hyacinth beans

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Bai Bian Dou builds the Spleen and Stomach to assist the transportation and transformation. This herb is used here because damage to the Stomach Yin invariably affects the transportive and transforming functions of the Middle Burner and eventually damages the Spleen.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong 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 Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang, it is used because it clears Heat and harmonizes the Middle Burner. It also regulates the functions of the other herbs.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula exemplifies the approach of fortifying while simultaneously purifying and nurturing the Lungs and Stomach. However, it is not suitable for conditions marked by excessive heat that harms the body fluids.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Sha Shen Mai Men Dong 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.