Bu Fei E Jiao Tang补肺阿胶汤

Tonify the Lungs Decoction with Ass-Hide Gelatin

Treating Dryness 治燥剂Enrich Yin and Moisten Dryness 滋阴润燥

Ingredients6 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

阿E Jiao阿胶麸炒Corii Asini Colla9gNourishes yin, moistens the Lung and stanches the bleeding

黍黍粘子炒香3g

甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草炙Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata1.5gModerates the cough, protects the middle and harmonizes the group 马Ma Dou Ling马兜铃焙Aristolochiae Fructus6gClassically used to clear Lung heat and calm wheeze; contains aristolochic acid and is replaced in modern practice 杏Xing Ren杏仁去皮尖Armeniacae Amarum Semen6gDirects rebellious Lung qi downward and moistens the cough

糯Nuo Mi糯米炒Oryzae Glutinosae Semen6gGlutinous rice supports the Stomach and generates fluids so the cool herbs are tolerated

Indications

Nourishes yin and supplements the LungClears Lung heat and calms cough and wheezeMoistens dryness and stops bleeding in the Lung

Lung yin deficiency with heat, classically described in children: the Lung's moisture is gone, so its qi rebels upward as cough and wheeze and its fine vessels break easily.

Clinical Manifestations

Cough and wheeze in a child with a dry, heat-scorched Lung
Dry throat with scanty, difficult sputum
Sputum streaked with blood
Dry cough lingering after a febrile illness
Hoarse, weak voice with a red tongue

TongueRed with scant coating

PulseThin and rapid

Health Categories

Respiratory Health

Modern Applications

Paediatric cough Bronchitis Haemoptysis Dry cough Wheeze

Common adjustments

Ma Dou Ling in the classical composition — omit it and use Sang Bai Pi 桑白皮 or Pi Pa Ye 枇杷叶 instead — see the cautions for why
Blood in the sputum is prominent — add Bai Mao Gen 白茅根 or Xian He Cao 仙鹤草
Marked dryness of mouth and throat — add Mai Men Dong 麦门冬 and Bei Sha Shen 北沙参
Deeper Lung and Kidney yin deficiency in an older patient — move to Bai He Gu Jin Tang, which reaches the Kidney

Contraindications

The classical formula contains Ma Dou Ling (Aristolochiae Fructus), which carries aristolochic acid — a substance linked to severe kidney damage and urinary-tract cancer. It has been removed from many pharmacopoeias and is prohibited in a number of countries, and it should not be dispensed; the formula is used, if at all, rebuilt without it. Beyond that, it is unsuitable for cough from wind-cold or from copious damp phlegm with a white greasy coating, since E Jiao and glutinous rice are cloying and would trap the evil.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Not for use in pregnancy in its classical form — Ma Dou Ling is unsafe for anyone and its kidney toxicity makes it doubly unacceptable in pregnancy. Any rebuilt version is a practitioner's decision, and cough with blood in pregnancy needs medical assessment first.

Related Formulas

Bai He Gu Jin Tang百合固金汤

References

Source Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue 《小儿药证直诀》 · Northern Song

「治小儿肺虚，气粗喘促。」
— 《小儿药证直诀》(classical source, public domain)

Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）治燥剂·滋阴润燥, 附方 note alongside 百合固金汤 — pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.