Ding Chuan Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
定喘湯 · Dìng Chuǎn Tāng
A classical formula for wheezing and cough from Wind-Cold exterior with internal phlegm-heat.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Exterior-Releasing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Phlegm-Heat
- Primary Function
- Diffuse Lung, direct Qi down, clear heat, resolve phlegm, calm wheezing
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Release exterior cold while clearing internal phlegm-heat to calm wheezing
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for wheezing and cough from Wind-Cold exterior with internal phlegm-heat.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for wheezing from exterior Wind-Cold with interior phlegm-heat (yellow sputum), rather than pure Lung heat, upper-excess lower-deficiency, or cold fluids.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
白果Bai Guo9g
Ginkgo Seed- astringes the lung and relieves panting
- dispels phlegm and relieves cough
麻黃Ma Huang6g
Ephedra Herb- diffuses the lung and relieves panting
- releases and dissipates exterior pathogens
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
紫蘇子Zi Su Zi9g
Perilla Fruit- directs qi downward
- dissolves phlegm
- and relieves panting and cough
杏仁Xing Ren9g
Bitter Apricot Kernel- descends lung qi
- stops cough and moistens the intestines
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
款冬花Kuan Dong Hua9g
Coltsfoot Flower- moistens the lung and stops cough
桑白皮Sang Bai Pi9g
Mulberry Root Bark- drains the lung and relieves panting
黃芩Huang Qin9g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat and dissolves phlegm
半夏Ban Xia9g
Pinellia Rhizome- transforms phlegm
Classical Composition
- Ginkgo Semen (Bai Guo remove shell; smash; dry-fry until yellow) 21 pieces (9g)
- Ephedrae Herba (Ma Huang) 3 qian (9g)
- Perillae Fructus (Zi Su Zi) 2 qian (6g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 1 qian (3g)
- Farfarae Flos (Kuan Dong Hua) 3 qian (9g)
- Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xing Ren) 1.5 qian (4.5g)
- Mori Cortex (Sang Bai Pi honey-fried) 3 qian (9g)
- Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin slightly dry-fried) 1.5 qian (4.5g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum (Ban Xia) 3 qian (9g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Diffuses the lung and directs qi downward
- clears heat
- and dissolves phlegm.
Indications
- Ding Chuan Tang is indicated for wheezing and panting due to phlegm-heat accumulation in the lung.
- The symptoms are wheezing and panting, cough, phlegm with heavy breathing, thick yellow phlegm, and slight aversion to wind.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is yellow and greasy, and the pulse is slippery and rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This formula treats wheezing and panting due to constitutional phlegm-heat accumulation, frequent onset of wind-cold, and lung qi obstruction leading to poor dispersion.
- Therefore, the symptoms are wheezing and panting, cough, profuse yellow phlegm.
- While the Ding Chuan Tang pattern covers both the exterior and interior, phlegm-heat accumulation and lung failing to diffuse and govern descent is the major pathogenesis.
- Therefore, both the method and formula focuses on diffusing the lung and directing qi downward, clearing heat, and dissolving phlegm in combination with diffusing and dissipating exterior pathogens.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to release exterior cold while clearing internal phlegm-heat to calm wheezing.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Ding Chuan Tang, Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang and Xiao Qing Long Tang all calm wheezing. Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang clears Lung heat with exterior residual cold; Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang descends upper excess with lower deficiency; Xiao Qing Long Tang treats exterior cold with interior fluids. Ding Chuan Tang releases exterior cold while clearing internal phlegm-heat for wheezing with yellow sputum.
Clinical Differentiation
- Ding Chuan Tang is a common formula used to treat cough and panting due to phlegm-heat accumulation.
- This clinical pattern is marked by cough and panting, thick yellow phlegm, greasy, yellow tongue coating, slippery, rapid pulse.
Safety notes: It is not applicable for patients with chronic asthma due to lung-kidney yin deficiency.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Ding Chuan Tang?
Ding Chuan Tang has the actions of diffusing and descending Lung Qi, clearing Heat, transforming Phlegm, and arresting wheezing. It is designed for wheezing caused by residual Wind-Cold on the exterior with Phlegm-Heat accumulated in the Lung.
Which modern diseases is Ding Chuan Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Phlegm-Heat in the Lung, including bronchial asthma or asthmatic bronchitis with thick yellow phlegm, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis or COPD of Phlegm-Heat type, and infection-triggered wheezing when exterior Cold and interior Heat coexist.
Is Ding Chuan Tang suitable for improving wheezing and cough with thick yellow phlegm?
For presentations of wheezing and panting, cough with copious thick yellow or sticky phlegm, chest tightness, possible mild aversion to wind, a yellow greasy tongue coating, and a slippery rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms exterior Cold with interior Phlegm-Heat — TCM commonly applies Ding Chuan Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard asthma or emergency respiratory treatment.
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.