Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Xiao Qing Long Jia Shi Gao Tang小青龙加石膏汤

Minor Bluegreen Dragon Decoction plus Gypsum

Releasing the Exterior 解表剂Release Wind-Cold 辛温解表

Ingredients9 herbs

麻Ma Huang麻黄9 g君 ChiefOpens the surface and diffuses the Lung to stop wheezing桂Gui Zhi桂枝6 g君 ChiefWarms yang so the trapped fluid can move干Gan Jiang干姜6 g臣 DeputyWarms the Lung and dries the cold fluid at its source细Xi Xin细辛3 g臣 DeputyScatters cold fluid lodged deep in the chest石Shi Gao石膏6 g臣 DeputyClears the constrained heat and settles the agitation, without overwhelming the warming herbs制Zhi Ban Xia制半夏9 g佐 AssistantDries phlegm and settles rebellious qi in the stomach and chest白Bai Shao白芍9 g佐 AssistantHolds the ying so the acrid warm herbs do not scatter the qi五Wu Wei Zi五味子6 g佐 AssistantAstringes Lung qi so the dispersal does not exhaust it炙Zhi Gan Cao炙甘草6 g使 EnvoyHarmonizes the warming and cooling halves and protects the middle

Indications

Releases the exterior and warms thin mucusClears the heat generated by constrained fluidsCalms wheezing and relieves agitation

Lung distension from thin fluids below the heart with constrained heat: cold-damp fluid is the substrate, but heat has begun to accumulate on top of it.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Wheezing with copious watery phlegm and restlessness
  • Chronic wheeze flaring in cold weather with an irritable, hot feeling
  • Cough with white frothy sputum and a dry mouth
  • Chest distension with laboured breathing
TongueWhite, moist coating, sometimes with a yellow tinge at the root
PulseFloating

Health Categories

Respiratory Health

Modern Applications

AsthmaChronic bronchitisCOPD exacerbationBronchospasmProductive cough

Common adjustments

  • Heat more pronounced, sputum turning yellow — increase Shi Gao 石膏 and add Huang Qin 黄芩
  • No heat sign at all — use Xiao Qing Long Tang without the Shi Gao

Contraindications

Not for a dry cough from Lung or Kidney yin deficiency — the warm-drying core will injure fluids further. Not for a frail, sweating patient. Prolonged use is discouraged: this is a formula for an acute flare, not maintenance.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. It contains both Ma Huang and Ban Xia, and Xi Xin in an acrid warming role — the whole configuration is inappropriate for a pregnant patient.

References

Source Jin Gui Yao Lue 《金匮要略》 · Eastern Han

「肺胀，咳而上气，烦躁而喘，脉浮者，心下有水，小青龙加石膏汤主之。」
— 《金匮要略》(classical source, public domain)
  1. 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 小青龙汤, 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.