Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
蘇子降氣湯 · Sū Zǐ Jiàng Qì Tāng
A classical formula for upper excess lower deficiency wheezing — phlegm above, Kidney Yang deficiency below.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Regulating Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Phlegm-Dampness
- Primary Function
- Direct rebellious Qi down, resolve phlegm, stop wheezing
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Descend upper excess phlegm while warming lower deficiency
- Classical Source
- Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song, 1107)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for upper excess lower deficiency wheezing — phlegm above, Kidney Yang deficiency below.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for upper-excess lower-deficiency wheezing — phlegm above, Kidney Yang weakness below — rather than exterior-interior heat, simple elderly phlegm, 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
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
半夏Ban Xia9g
Pinellia Rhizome- dries dampness
- dissolves phlegm
- and directs counterflow downward
厚樸Hou Po6g
Magnolia Bark- lowers qi
- loosens the chest
- and eliminates fullness
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
前胡Qian Hu6g
Peucedanum Root- lowers qi
- dissolves phlegm and relieves coughing Used together with the diffusing method
- it is a strategy of ascending and descending
肉桂Rou Gui3g
Cinnamon Bark- warms and supplements kidney qi
- improves qi reception and relieves panting
當歸Dang Gui6g
Chinese Angelica Root- treats coughing due to rebelling qi
- nourishes the liver blood and moistens dryness
Classical Composition
- Perillae Fructus (Zi Su Zi) 2.5 liang (75g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 2.5 liang (75g)
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 1.5 liang (45g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhi Gan Cao) 2 liang (60g)
- Peucedani Radix (Qian Hu) 1 liang (30g)
- Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Hou Po) 1 liang (30g)
- Cinnamomi Cortex (Rou Gui) 1.5 liang (45g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Directs qi downward
- dispels phlegm
- relieves cough and panting.
Indications
- Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang is indicated for coughing or wheezing in patterns of upper excess and lower deficiency.
- The symptoms are phlegm-drool accumulation, chest and diaphragm fullness and oppression, coughing, panting, shortness of breath, and exhaling more than inhaling.
- It is accompanied by lumbago, weakness in the legs, fatigue, lassitude, or swollen limbs.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is glossy, white or greasy, white, and the pulse is wiry and slippery.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Upper excess refers to phlegm-drool accumulation in the lung that occurred because the lung lost its function of dispersing.
- It causes fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, cough, panting, and a large amount of phlegm.
- Lower deficiency refers to kidney yang deficiency in the lower jiao.
- First, the kidney fails to govern qi reception and the patient exhales more than inhales and has shortness of breath.
- Second, the kidney fails to govern the bones and lumbago and weakness in legs are the result.
- Third, the kidney fails to govern water and water is not transformed by qi.
- Therefore, water doesn’t diffuse and accumulates as phlegm or it floods the exterior to cause edema.
- The pathogenesis of this formula pattern is that the phlegm-drool accumulation in the lung, and kidney yang insufficiency.
- It belongs to the type of upper excess and lower deficiency, but focusing on upper excess.
- So the strategy should focus on directing qi downward, dispelling phlegm, relieving cough and panting and then consider about kidney qi.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to descend upper excess phlegm while warming lower deficiency.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang, Ding Chuan Tang, San Zi Yang Qin Tang and Xiao Qing Long Tang all treat wheezing or phlegm. Ding Chuan Tang is exterior cold with interior phlegm-heat; San Zi Yang Qin Tang is simple phlegm-damp with food stagnation in the elderly; Xiao Qing Long Tang is exterior cold with interior fluids. Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang descends upper excess phlegm while warming lower deficiency for upper-excess lower-deficiency wheezing.
Clinical Differentiation
- Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang is commonly indicated for patterns of upper excess and lower deficiency.
- This clinical pattern is marked by chest oppression, profuse loose white phlegm, white, glossy or white, greasy tongue.
Safety notes: This formula has warm and drying properties and is focused on directing qi downward and dispelling phlegm. It is not applicable for patients who suffer either with a lung-kidney yin deficiency type of cough and panting or lung heat with phlegm and wheezing.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang?
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang has the actions of directing rebellious Qi downward, transforming Phlegm, and stopping wheezing. It treats the classical picture of excess above and deficiency below: Phlegm-Qi flooding the chest while the Kidney fails to grasp Qi.
Which modern diseases is Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within upper excess and lower deficiency wheezing, including chronic bronchitis or asthma of Cold-Phlegm type with a weak lower body, elderly wheeze with copious white Phlegm and sore low back, and some COPD presentations of this pattern after medical evaluation.
Is Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang suitable for improving wheezing with lots of white phlegm and weak legs?
For presentations of cough and wheeze with copious white Phlegm, chest and diaphragmatic fullness, shortness of breath that is worse on exertion, weak sore lower back and legs, a white greasy coating, and a slippery or weak pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms excess above and deficiency below — TCM commonly applies Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang as an adjunct. Acute severe breathlessness requires emergency care.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Seed Decoction to Direct Qi Downward) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Seed Decoction to Direct Qi Downward) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Rebellious Qi, Wheezing, Cough & Phlegm-Cold
San Zi Yang Qin Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Phlegm-Damp, Cough, Wheezing & Food Stagnation
Ding Chuan Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Asthma, Wheezing & Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Xiao Qing Long Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Cold with Interior Water & Cough
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.