Sang Xing Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
桑杏汤 · Sāng Xìng Tāng
Gentle formula for early-stage warm-dryness invading the Lungs. Presents with dry cough, slight fever, dry throat and thirst without heavy phlegm or severe Qi damage.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Exterior-Releasing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Wind-Heat
- Primary Function
- Disperse warm-dryness, moisten Lungs, stop cough
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Gently disperse warm-dryness, moisten the Lungs and stop cough
- Classical Source
- Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Wu Jutong, Qing dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
Gentle formula for early-stage warm-dryness invading the Lungs. Presents with dry cough, slight fever, dry throat and thirst without heavy phlegm or severe Qi damage.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected at the earliest stage of warm-dryness, with a light dry cough, thirst and minimal systemic involvement — a gentler, more dispersing choice than Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, which suits deeper damage to Qi and Yin, and opposite in nature to Xing Su San's cool-dryness.
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/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
沙參Sha Shen9g
Glehnia / Adenophora Root- moistens the lung
- relieves cough and dissolves phlegm
浙貝母Zhe Bei Mu9g
Thunberg Fritillaria Bulb- clears and dissolves hot phlegm
- assists xing ren to relieve cough and dissolve phlegm
淡豆豉Dan Dou Chi6g
Prepared Soybean- acrid and cool in nature
- assists sang ye to vent heat by light diffusion
梔子皮Zhi Zi Pi6g
Gardenia Peel- homes to the upper jiao because it is light in nature
- clears and purges lung heat
梨皮Li Pi30g
Pear Peel- clears heat and moistens dryness
- relieves cough and dissolves phlegm
Classical Composition
- Mori Folium (Sang Ye) 1 qian (3g)
- Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xing Ren) 1.5 qian (4.5g)
- Glehniae Radix (Bei Sha Shen) 2 qian (6g)
- Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (Zhe Bei Mu) 1 qian (3g)
- Sojae Semen Praeparatum (Dan Dou Chi) 1 qian (3g)
- Gardeniae Pericarpium (Zhi Zi Pi) 1 qian (3g)
- Gardeniae Pericarpium (Li Pi) 1 qian (3g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears and diffuses warm-dryness
- moistens the lung and dissolves phlegm.
Indications
- Sang Xing Tang is indicated for the pattern of externally-contracted warm-dryness.
- The symptoms are mild fever, thirst, dry throat and nasal cavities, dry cough without sputum, or with scanty, and sticky sputum.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue body is red with a thin, white and dry coating. The pulse is floating and rapid and is large on the right side.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Sang Xing Tang is designed to treat mild patterns of externally-contracted warm-dryness injuring the lung fluids.
- Since warm-dryness invades the lung-wei in autumn, the resulting condition is mild and occurs at the exterior level to induce a mild fever.
- Dryness also depletes the lung fluids causing failure of the lung qi to purify leading to symptoms such as thirst, dry throat and nasal cavities, dry cough without sputum, or with scanty, and sticky sputum.
- This pattern resembles exterior wind-heat, yet this pattern is caused by warm-dryness.
Treatment strategy
- The lung fluids have been depleted and therefore the therapeutic principle is to clear and diffuse dryness-heat at the exterior, moisten the lung and dissolve phlegm in the interior.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Sang Xing Tang is mild for early warm-dryness. Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang is stronger when dryness has damaged Qi and Yin more deeply. Xing Su San addresses cool-dryness. Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang is for internal Lung-Stomach Yin deficiency dryness.
Clinical Differentiation
- Sang Xing Tang is a formula commonly used to treat mild patterns of warm-dryness that have damaged the lung.
- This clinical pattern is marked by mild fever, dry cough without sputum, or with scantyand sticky sputum, rapid and large pulse on the right.
Safety notes: The medicinals in this formula should be used in small dosage and should only be cooked for a short period of time because the pathogens are not severe and are located in the superficial layer. It was explained in a postscript from the formula’s source text: “Light medicinals should not be used in large dosage or decocted for a long time because if they are, light medicinals cannot act at the qi level but will act on the other levels” .
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Sang Xing Tang?
Sang Xing Tang has the actions of clearing and dispersing Warm-Dryness, moistening the Lung, and stopping cough. It is the classic mild formula for externally contracted Warm-Dryness injuring the Lung Wei and fluids.
Which modern diseases is Sang Xing Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Warm-Dryness invading the Lung, including upper respiratory tract infections, acute or chronic bronchitis with dry cough, dry cough from environmental dryness, and certain cases of pertussis or bronchiectasis with dryness-Heat features.
Is Sang Xing Tang suitable for improving dry cough with little phlegm?
For presentations of mild fever, dry cough with little or no phlegm (or scanty sticky phlegm), dry throat and nasal passages, slight thirst, a red tongue with thin dry coating, and a floating rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Warm-Dryness injuring the Lung — TCM commonly applies Sang Xing Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
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Related Articles
Sang Xing Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Dryness, Dry Cough & Lung Dryness
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Warm-Dryness Damaging the Lungs, Dry Cough & Qi-Yin Injury
Xing Su San: Classic TCM Formula for Cool Dryness, Dry Cough & Lung Dryness
Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Lung & Stomach Yin Deficiency & Dryness
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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.