Er Chen Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
二陳湯 · Èr Chén Tāng
The foundational classical phlegm-damp formula for cough with copious white sputum and epigastric fullness.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Phlegm-Resolving Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Phlegm-Dampness
- Primary Function
- Dry dampness, resolve phlegm, regulate Qi, harmonize middle
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- The foundational method to dry damp and transform phlegm
- Classical Source
- Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song, 1107)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
The foundational classical phlegm-damp formula for cough with copious white sputum and epigastric fullness.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when Spleen damp and phlegm present without marked heat, wind, or Gallbladder disharmony — the plain base from which the related formulas depart.
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
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
Classical Composition
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 5 liang (15g)
- Poria (Fu Ling) 3 liang (9g)
- Citri Expocarpium Rubrum (Ju Hong) 5 liang (15g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 1.5 liang (5g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Dries dampness and dissolves phlegm
- rectifies qi
- and harmonizes the center.
Indications
- Er Chen Tang is indicated for damp-phlegm patterns .The symptoms are cough with profuse white phlegm that is easy to be expectorated, nausea and vomiting, chest stuffiness, fatigue and heavy feelings of the body or limbs, vertigo and palpitation.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is glossy white or white and greasy, and the pulse is slippery.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- When the spleen is attacked by pathogenic factors, it fails to transport and transform food and fluids, which leads to dampness or phlegm accumulation.
- When dampness or phlegm accumulates within the lung, it becomes blocked and fails to disperse and descend normally.
- A cough with a lot of expectoration will result.
- When they accumulate in the stomach, nausea and vomiting occurs; when they accumulate in the chest and diaphragm to obstruct the normal qi movement, stuffiness or bloating occurs; when they lodge in the muscles, heaviness of the body or limbs occurs.
- When damp and phlegm obstruct the clear yang, vertigo occurs.
- When they attack the heart, palpitation occurs.
- The treatment principle is to dry dampness and dissolve phlegm, rectify qi, and harmonize the center.
Clinical presentation
- In damp-phlegm diseases the tongue develops a glossy white or white and greasy tongue coating and the pulse becomes slippery.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to the foundational method to dry damp and transform phlegm.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Er Chen Tang, Wen Dan Tang, Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang and Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang all transform phlegm. Wen Dan Tang adds Gallbladder-harmonizing and heat-clearing for phlegm-heat vexation; Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang targets wind-phlegm dizziness; Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang clears Lung phlegm-heat. Er Chen Tang is the foundational dry-damp transform-phlegm base for simple phlegm-damp with white sputum and epigastric fullness.
Clinical Differentiation
- Er Chen Tang serves as a representative formula that is fundamental and commonly used to dry dampness and dissolve phlegm.
- This clinical pattern is marked by cough, profuse white phlegm that is easy to expectorate, white and greasy tongue coating, slippery pulse.
Safety notes: The property of this formula is dry. Use it with caution for patients with dryness-phlegm. It is prohibited to use for patients who are spitting blood, suffering from wasting-thirst, are yin deficient, and are blood deficient.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Er Chen Tang?
Er Chen Tang has the actions of drying Dampness and transforming Phlegm, regulating Qi, and harmonizing the Middle Jiao. It is the foundational formula for treating Damp-Phlegm patterns throughout the body.
Which modern diseases is Er Chen Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Damp-Phlegm, including chronic bronchitis with copious white phlegm, chronic gastritis or nausea of Phlegm-Damp type, Meniere’s syndrome or dizziness from Phlegm, and certain digestive disorders with chest oppression, nausea, and a greasy tongue coating.
Is Er Chen Tang suitable for improving cough with white phlegm, chest fullness, and nausea?
For presentations of cough with profuse white phlegm that is easy to expectorate, chest or epigastric fullness and oppression, nausea or vomiting, fatigue with heavy limbs, possible dizziness, a white greasy or slippery tongue coating, and a slippery pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Damp-Phlegm — TCM commonly applies Er Chen Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment of respiratory or digestive conditions.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Er Chen Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Phlegm-Damp, Cough, Nausea & Spleen Deficiency
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Phlegm, Dizziness, Headache & Vertigo
Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Cough & Yellow Sputum
Wen Dan Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Phlegm-Heat, Insomnia, Palpitations & Gallbladder Disharmony
Browse all classical formulas →
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.