San Ao Tang三拗汤
Three-Unbinding Decoction
Ingredients3 herbs
Indications
A mild wind-cold attack in which Lung qi is blocked rather than the whole surface being sealed. The exterior signs are slight; the Lung signs are what bring the patient in.
Clinical Manifestations
- Blocked nose with a heavy, muffled voice
- Loss of voice at the start of a cold
- Cough with chest tightness
- Mild wind-cold with little fever
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Abundant phlegm and wheeze — add Sang Bai Pi 桑白皮 and Zi Su Zi 紫苏子 — the shift toward Hua Gai San
- Cough turning hot with yellow phlegm — add Shi Gao 石膏 — the shift toward Ma Huang Xing Ren Gan Cao Shi Gao Tang
Contraindications
Too warm and dispersing for a wind-heat cough or a dry, yin-deficient cough. Not for exterior deficiency with sweating. Because Ma Huang is used unprocessed here, the usual cardiovascular cautions apply — avoid with stimulants, and with uncontrolled hypertension.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Avoid in pregnancy. Ma Huang is used here in its unprocessed form, which is the more stimulating one; a gentler cough approach is preferred while pregnant.
Related Formulas
References
Source Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang 《太平惠民和剂局方》 · Northern Song
「治感冒风邪，鼻塞声重，语音不出，或伤风伤冷，头痛目眩，四肢拘倦，咳嗽多痰，胸满气短。」
- 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）— 附方 note under 麻黄汤, 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.