Dao Tan Tang导痰汤

Guide Out Phlegm Decoction

Dispelling Phlegm 祛痰剂Dry Damp and Transform Phlegm 燥湿化痰

Ingredients5 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

半Zhi Ban Xia半夏汤洗七次Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum120gDries damp, transforms phlegm and settles the rebellious Stomach qi 天Zhi Tian Nan Xing天南星细切，姜汁浸Arisaematis Rhizoma praeparatum30gCuts through thick stubborn phlegm that Ban Xia alone cannot move. Toxic in the raw state — only the processed drug is used, 3–9 g 枳Zhi Shi枳实去瓤Aurantii Fructus Immaturus30gBreaks qi downward and opens the blocked chest, so the phlegm has a route out 橘Ju Hong橘红Citri Exocarpium Rubrum30gRegulates qi and dries damp; drier and more phlegm-directed than plain Chen Pi 赤Chi Fu Ling赤茯苓Poriae Cocos Sclerotium Rubrum30gDrains damp downward through the urine, removing what phlegm is made from

Indications

Dries damp and drives out stubborn phlegmMoves qi and unblocks the chestClears phlegm-clouding of the head

Phlegm-turbidity in excess, obstructing qi and clouding the clear yang. This is Er Chen Tang's pattern turned severe: the phlegm is no longer merely damp but thick and adhesive, and it has begun to block the chest and the head rather than just the Stomach.

Clinical Manifestations

Dizziness with a heavy, muzzy head
Chest and epigastric fullness with copious sticky sputum
Cough and wheeze with ropy phlegm
Nausea, retching, headache from phlegm
Sudden faint from phlegm blocking the qi

TongueThick greasy coating

PulseSlippery

Health Categories

Respiratory HealthHeart & Circulation

Modern Applications

Vertigo Chronic bronchitis Ménière's disease Syncope Productive cough

Common adjustments

Phlegm has turned hot — yellow sputum, bitter taste — Huang Qin 黄芩 and Gua Lou 瓜蒌 are added, or Tian Nan Xing is exchanged for Dan Nan Xing 胆南星
Dizziness prominent with wind signs — Tian Ma 天麻 is added — the formula then approaches Ban Xia Tian Ma Bai Zhu Tang in intent
Spirit clouded, speech thick — Shi Chang Pu 石菖蒲 and Yuan Zhi 远志 are added; if the tongue is stiff and speech is lost this becomes the territory of Di Tan Tang
Qi already weak, patient frail — Ren Shen 人参 is added so the attack on the phlegm does not exhaust the person

Contraindications

Not for dry cough, scanty sticky sputum from Lung yin deficiency, or dizziness from blood deficiency or yin-deficient yang rising — this formula is drying and downward-driving and will make those worse. Use cautiously and briefly in the elderly and the frail: Tian Nan Xing and Zhi Shi together are a strong pair. Not to be combined with // preparations, nor with Gan Sui-class water-expelling formulas.

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

Pregnancy

Avoid in pregnancy unless a practitioner judges otherwise. Tian Nan Xing is a toxic drug and is contraindicated in pregnancy; Zhi Shi breaks qi downward strongly; and Ban Xia, even processed, is used in pregnancy only with a clear reason. Phlegm-type nausea or dizziness in pregnancy is treated with a gentler formula.

Related Formulas

References

Source 《传信适用方》引皇甫坦方 · Southern Song

Classical source (public domain) — 《传信适用方》, Southern Song.
2. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— listed as an appended formula (附方) to 二陈汤.
3. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
4. Chinese Pharmacopoeia monographs on 半夏 and 天南星 — toxicity, required processed forms and dose ranges.

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.