Ding Chuan Tang定喘汤

Arrest Wheezing Decoction

Regulating Qi 理气剂Direct Rebellious Qi Downward 降气

Ingredients9 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

白Bai Guo白果去壳，砸碎炒黄Ginkgo Semen9g君 ChiefBinds the Lung inward and dissolves phlegm — the counterweight that keeps Ma Huang from scattering the qi 麻Ma Huang麻黄Ephedrae Herba9g君 ChiefOpens the Lung outward, releases the exterior and stops wheezing

苏苏子6g臣 Deputy

甘Gan Cao甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma3g使 EnvoyHarmonizes the acrid and the cold herbs and eases the cough 款Kuan Dong Hua款冬花Farfarae Flos9g臣 DeputyMoistens the Lung, settles cough and calms wheezing 杏Xing Ren杏仁去皮、尖Armeniacae Semen Amarum4.5g臣 DeputyDirects Lung qi downward and stops cough 桑Sang Bai Pi桑白皮蜜炙Mori Cortex9g佐 AssistantDrains Lung heat and calms the wheezing from within 黄Huang Qin黄芩微炒Scutellariae Radix6g佐 AssistantClears the phlegm-heat congested in the Lung

法Zhi Ban Xia法制半夏如无，用甘草汤泡七次，去脐用Pinelliae Rhizoma praeparatum9g臣 DeputyDries damp and transforms the phlegm that drives the attack

Indications

Diffuses the Lung and calms wheezingClears heat and transforms phlegmDirects qi downward and stops cough

Wheezing from wind-cold fettering the exterior with phlegm-heat congested within. Two layers must be treated at once: the surface must be opened or the Lung stays shut, and the interior heat must be drained or the phlegm stays thick.

Clinical Manifestations

Wheezing attacks with rapid, laboured breathing
Cough with thick yellow sputum
Chest fullness during an attack
Wheezing that starts after exposure to cold with chills and fever
Recurrent wheezing worse in cold seasons

TongueYellow greasy coating

PulseSlippery and rapid

Health Categories

Respiratory Health

Modern Applications

Asthma Acute bronchitis Bronchospasm Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Bronchiolitis

Common adjustments

No exterior signs — reduce or omit Ma Huang 麻黄 and keep the descending and heat-clearing herbs
Heat pronounced with thick yellow sputum — increase Huang Qin 黄芩 and add Yu Xing Cao 鱼腥草 or Gua Lou 瓜蒌
Phlegm copious and hard to expectorate — add Ting Li Zi 葶苈子 and Zhe Bei Mu 浙贝母
Attack settling, deficiency emerging — add Dang Shen 党参 and Wu Wei Zi 五味子
Cough dry and irritating after the heat clears — add Mai Men Dong 麦门冬 and Bai He 百合

Contraindications

An asthma attack is a medical emergency: prescribed reliever inhalers and urgent care come first, and this formula does not replace them. Ma Huang contains ephedrine, is legally restricted in many countries, and is unsuitable for anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, insomnia, or on stimulant or MAOI medication — a practitioner must weigh this before prescribing. Bai Guo is toxic in quantity: only processed, cooked seeds are used, in the stated dose, and never for children in excess. The formula is not for wheezing from deficiency, where the breath is weak and the patient is exhausted rather than congested. Only processed Ban Xia is used.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Ma Huang is a strong diaphoretic stimulant, Ban Xia is traditionally restricted, and Bai Guo is toxic in quantity. Wheezing in pregnancy is managed conventionally, with obstetric input.

References

Source She Sheng Zhong Miao Fang 《摄生众妙方》 · Ming

Classical source text (public domain).
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）— 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.