Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
清金化痰湯 · Qīng Jīn Huà Tán Tāng
A classical formula for Lung phlegm-heat with yellow sputum, sore throat and chest discomfort.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Heat-Clearing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Phlegm-Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear Lung heat, resolve phlegm, stop cough
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear phlegm-heat from the Lung metal
- Classical Source
- Classical TCM formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for Lung phlegm-heat with yellow sputum, sore throat and chest discomfort.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for Lung heat with yellow phlegm and sore throat, rather than heavier phlegm-heat, constrained heat without much phlegm, or Yin-deficiency dry cough.
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
桑白皮Sang Bai Pi9g
Mulberry Root Bark- drains the lung and promotes urination
梔子Zhi Zi6g
Gardenia Fruit- drains fire and relieves vexation
貝母Bei Mu9g
Fritillaria Bulb- supports the formula's treatment strategy in this position
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
知母Zhi Mu9g
Anemarrhena Rhizome- clears heat and enriches yin
瓜蔞仁Gua Lou Ren9g
Trichosanthes Seed- transforms phlegm and moistens the intestines
桔梗Jie Geng6g
Platycodon Root- diffuses the lung and guides upward
麥冬Mai Dong9g
Ophiopogon Tuber- nourishes yin and generates fluids
陳皮Chen Pi6g
Tangerine Peel- regulates middle qi
- dries dampness and directs counterflow downward
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen
- leaches dampness and quiets the heart
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin) 9g
- Cortex Mori (Sang Bai Pi) 9g
- Fructus Gardeniae (Zhi Zi) 6g
- Bulbus Fritillariae (Bei Mu) 9g
- Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhi Mu) 9g
- Trichosanthis Semen (Gua Lou Ren) 9g
- Radix Platycodonis (Jie Geng) 6g
- Radix Ophiopogonis (Mai Dong) 9g
- Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi) 6g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 9g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) 3g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears lung heat
- resolves phlegm
- and stops cough.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for heat scorching the lung with phlegm.
- Signs and symptoms include cough, yellow sputum, sore throat, and a rapid pulse.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red with a yellow coating.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by phlegm and heat binding in the lung or chest.
Clinical presentation
- Heat condenses fluids into sticky yellow phlegm; constrained lung qi then produces cough, chest tightness and a rapid pulse.
- Heat scorching lung metal with phlegm produces cough, yellow sputum, sore throat and a rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to clear heat, resolve phlegm, and unblock the chest and lung.
- In this formula the emphasis is to clear phlegm-heat from the Lung metal.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang, Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang, Xie Bai San and Bai He Gu Jin Tang address Lung heat or dry cough. Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang clears phlegm-heat; Xie Bai San clears constrained Lung heat; Bai He Gu Jin Tang nourishes Lung-Kidney Yin. Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang clears Lung heat and transforms phlegm for yellow sputum with sore throat.
Clinical Differentiation
- Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang is used for heat scorching lung metal with phlegm: cough, yellow sputum and a rapid pulse.
- It is distinguished from Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang (qi-level phlegm-heat) and from Xie Bai San (lurking lung fire with less thick phlegm).
Safety notes: This formula is cold. It is not appropriate for cold-phlegm or deficiency-cold cough.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang?
Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang has the actions of clearing Lung Heat and transforming Phlegm. “Qing Jin” means clearing Metal: it treats Fire that has cooked Lung fluids into thick yellow Phlegm that is hard to expectorate.
Which modern diseases is Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Phlegm-Heat in the Lung, including acute or chronic bronchitis of Phlegm-Heat type, post-infectious cough with thick yellow sputum, and some COPD exacerbations of this pattern after medical evaluation.
Is Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang suitable for improving cough with thick yellow phlegm and a sore dry throat?
For presentations of cough with yellow, thick, hard-to-expectorate sputum, dry or painful throat, red face or hot breath from the nose, possible blood-streaked sputum, a red tongue with yellow greasy coating, and a slippery rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Lung Fire with Phlegm — TCM commonly applies Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of pneumonia or other respiratory disease.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang (Clear the Lung and Transform Phlegm Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Cough & Yellow Sticky Sputum
Bai He Gu Jin Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Lung & Kidney Yin Deficiency with Dryness
Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Cough & Yellow Sputum
Xie Bai San: Classic TCM Formula for Lung Heat, Cough, Wheezing & Steaming Heat in the Skin
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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.