Di Tan Tang涤痰汤
Scour Phlegm Decoction
Ingredients9 herbs
Indications
Wind-stroke with phlegm misting the Heart orifices. Phlegm has moved from the chest to the orifices: it is not merely obstructing qi but interfering with speech and awareness, and the qi is usually deficient underneath.
Clinical Manifestations
- Stiff tongue with loss or slurring of speech after wind-stroke
- Audible phlegm rattling in the throat
- Clouded, muddled consciousness with copious sputum
- Dizziness and heavy chest oppression
- Phlegm-type mental restlessness or dullness
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Clear heat signs — yellow sputum, red tongue, rapid pulse — Tian Nan Xing is exchanged for Dan Nan Xing 胆南星 and Huang Qin 黄芩 is added
- Wind signs — twitching, tremor, deviated mouth — Tian Ma 天麻 and Jiang Can 僵蚕 are added to settle the wind
- Blood stasis in the channels — fixed numbness, dark tongue — Dan Shen 丹参 and Chuan Xiong 川芎 are added
- Qi markedly deficient, patient exhausted — the Ren Shen 人参 is increased, or Huang Qi 黄芪 is added
Contraindications
Not for speech loss or clouded consciousness from yin deficiency with internal wind, from blood loss, or from a collapse pattern— those need support, not scouring. Not for dry phlegm-free coughs. Use with restraint in the very frail even though Ren Shen is present. Not combined with // preparations or with Gan Sui-class water-expelling formulas. Anyone whose speech or consciousness changes suddenly needs urgent medical assessment first.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy. Tian Nan Xing is a toxic drug withheld in pregnancy, Zhi Shi breaks qi downward strongly, and the whole formula is an attacking prescription. If a pregnant patient develops phlegm-clouding or neurological symptoms, that is an emergency handled by a physician, not with this formula.
Related Formulas
References
Source Qi Xiao Liang Fang 《奇效良方》 · Ming
- Classical source (public domain) — 《奇效良方》, Ming dynasty.
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) in the 燥湿化痰 section.
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.