Xiao Cheng Qi Tang小承气汤
Minor Order the Qi Decoction
Ingredients3 herbs
Indications
Yang Ming bowel excess in its lighter form. Of the four cardinal signs — blockage, fullness, dryness, hardness — blockage and fullness lead, while the dryness and hardness are not yet severe enough to need mineral salt.
Clinical Manifestations
- Constipation with tidal fever and delirious speech
- Epigastric and abdominal fullness without board-like hardness
- Early damp-heat dysentery with tenesmus and cramping
- Dry stool after excessive sweating in a febrile illness
- Probe dose before committing to a stronger purge
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Dryness and hardness now dominate — the pattern has outgrown this formula — adding Mang Xiao 芒硝 and restoring the full doses gives Da Cheng Qi Tang
- Early dysentery with tenesmus — keep the dose small and stop at the first properly formed movement rather than pushing on
Contraindications
Not for constipation arising from qi, blood or fluid depletion — there is nothing bound to drive out and the purge only weakens the patient further. Not to be continued once the bowel has opened; the classical instruction is to stop at that point. An unresolved exterior pattern should be released before the interior is attacked.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy. Da Huang purges strongly downward and the qi-breaking pair Zhi Shi and Hou Po adds to that downward pull, a combination traditionally held to risk the pregnancy. Never self-administered; if an obstruction in a pregnant patient is judged the greater danger, that is a decision for the treating practitioner in a supervised setting.
Related Formulas
References
Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han
「阳明病，谵语，发潮热，脉滑而疾者，小承气汤主之。」
- 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）— chapter placement, 功用 and 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.