Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang苏子降气汤
Perilla Fruit Decoction for Directing Qi Downward
Ingredients7 herbs
Indications
Wheezing and cough of excess above with deficiency below. Phlegm-turbidity blocks the Lung above while Kidney yang below fails to grasp the qi; the formula mainly treats the excess but does not neglect the deficiency.
Clinical Manifestations
- Wheezing and cough with copious sputum
- Fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm
- Shortness of breath with more exhalation than inhalation
- Sore lower back and weak legs alongside breathlessness
- Puffiness of the limbs with fatigue in a chronic cough
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Lower deficiency pronounced with cold limbs — add Rou Cong Rong 肉苁蓉 and Bu Gu Zhi 补骨脂
- Exterior cold still present with chills — increase Zi Su Ye 紫苏叶 and add Ma Huang 麻黄 where its use is permitted and appropriate
- Phlegm has turned to heat, sputum yellow — remove Rou Gui 肉桂 and add Huang Qin 黄芩 and Sang Bai Pi 桑白皮
- Marked qi deficiency with sweating on exertion — add Huang Qi 黄芪 and Ren Shen 人参
- Swelling of the limbs prominent — add Fu Ling 茯苓 and Ze Xie 泽泻
Contraindications
Not for wheezing from Lung heat with thick yellow sputum, nor for the dry, unproductive cough of Lung and Kidney yin deficiency — this is a warm, drying prescription and would worsen both. Acute severe breathlessness, blue lips, or an asthma attack that is not settling is a medical emergency: prescribed inhalers and emergency care come first, and herbs are not a substitute for them. Only processed Ban Xia is used.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Use only under a practitioner's supervision in pregnancy, and generally avoid. It contains Ban Xia, traditionally restricted in pregnancy, and Rou Gui, which is hot and descending. Breathlessness in pregnancy needs conventional assessment.
References
Source Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang 《太平惠民和剂局方》 · Song
「治男女虚阳上攻，气不升降，上盛下虚，膈壅痰多，咽喉不利……」
- 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）— 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.