Xiao Qing Long Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
小青龙汤 · Xiǎo Qīng Lóng Tāng
A Shang Han Lun formula for exterior cold with interior congested cold fluids (Yin), presenting with chills, absence of sweating, cough, wheezing and copious thin white phlegm.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Exterior-Releasing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Wind-Cold
- Primary Function
- Release exterior, transform congested fluids, stop cough and wheezing
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Disperse exterior cold and warm and transform interior Yin fluids
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A Shang Han Lun formula for exterior cold with interior congested cold fluids (Yin), presenting with chills, absence of sweating, cough, wheezing and copious thin white phlegm.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for exterior cold with watery phlegm and wheezing — the representative formula for cold congested fluids rather than pure exterior excess or pure heat patterns.
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
桂枝Gui Zhi9g
Cinnamon Twig- releases the exterior
- improves circulation
- transforms qi and promotes urination
乾薑Gan Jiang9g
Dried Ginger- warms the lung
- dissolves fluid retention
- releases the exterior and dispels pathogens
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
細辛Xi Xin3g
Asarum / Wild Ginger- warms the channels
- releases the exterior and opens the orifices
五味子Wu Wei Zi6g
Schisandra Fruit- astringes the lung and relieves cough
白芍Bai Shao9g
White Peony Root- astringes yin and nourishes blood
半夏Ban Xia9g
Pinellia Rhizome- dries dampness
- dissolves phlegm
- harmonizes the stomach and directs counterflow downward
Classical Composition
- Ephedrae Herba (Ma Huang) 3 liang (9g)
- Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shao Yao) 3 liang (9g)
- Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xi Xin) 3 liang (6g)
- Zingiberis Rhizoma (Gan Jiang) 3 liang (6g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhi Gan Cao) 3 liang (6g)
- Cinnamomi Ramulus (Gui Zhi) 3 liang (9g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 0.5 sheng (9g)
- Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (Wu Wei Zi) 0.5 sheng (6g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Releases the exterior
- dissipates cold
- warms the lung and dissolves rheum (fluid retention).
Indications
- This formula is indicated for the pattern of exterior cold with interior fluid retention.
- The symptoms are aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweating, labored breathing, cough, copious clear and thin phlegm, stuffiness in chest, dry retching, difficulty in lying back in the supine position, general body aches, edema of the face and extremities.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is white and glossy, and the pulse is superficial.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Xiao Qing Long Tang is indicated when an excessive fluid condition is complicated by externally contracted wind-cold.
- When a person who has excessive fluids contracts an external pathogen, the pathological activities of the excessive fluids may be initiated.
- Cold thin phlegm then invades the lung and causes the lung qi to fail to diffuse and descend which leads to cough, labored breathing and copious thin sputum.
- Stuffiness in chest is due to fluid retention under the heart blocking the qi movement.
- Dry retching is caused by lodged fluid that causes ascending counterflow of the stomach qi.
- General edema and heaviness is due to subcutaneous water retention.
- In this situation, dispersing external pathogens alone without dissolving fluid retention will not resolve the excessive internal fluids.
- On the other hand, dissolving fluid retention alone without expelling external pathogens will not release the exterior.
Clinical presentation
- Aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweating and body aches are symptoms of an exterior excess pattern with wind-cold fettering the exterior causing obstruction of the wei yang and constraint of ying yin.
- And finally, a white and glossy coating and superficial pulse are clear signs of exterior cold with interior fluid retention.
Treatment strategy
- Therefore, the correct treatment method is to simultaneously address both the internal and external by relieving the exterior and dissolving fluid retention.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Xiao Qing Long Tang releases exterior cold and transforms interior fluids. Da Qing Long Tang clears constrained interior heat with strong sweating. She Gan Ma Huang Tang transforms cold phlegm for wheezing with a stronger focus on the throat. Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang warms and transforms phlegm-fluids without strong exterior release.
Clinical Differentiation
- Xiao Qing Long Tang is commonly indicated for the pattern of externally contracted wind-cold with cough and labored breathing due to internal cold thin phlegm.
- This clinical pattern is marked by aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweating, labored breathing, cough, copious thin phlegm, white and glossy tongue coating, and superficial pulse.
Safety notes: Due to the relatively strong acrid-dispersing and warm-resolving effects of the formula, it is only indicated for those who are indeed affected by external cold interacting with internal fluids causing a disorder of the lung system. The dosage needs be determined according to the physical constitution of the patient. It is not applicable for coughs without sputum due to a yin deficiency or internal phlegm-heat pattern.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Xiao Qing Long Tang?
Xiao Qing Long Tang has the actions of releasing the exterior and dispersing Cold, warming the Lung, and transforming congested Fluids (Tan Yin). It simultaneously addresses exterior Wind-Cold and interior accumulation of thin, watery Phlegm-Fluids.
Which modern diseases is Xiao Qing Long Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within exterior Cold with interior water retention, including cold-pattern bronchial asthma or acute bronchitis with watery sputum, allergic rhinitis with profuse clear watery nasal discharge, common cold or influenza with thin mucus and cough, and certain COPD or chronic bronchitis exacerbations of Cold-Phlegm type.
Is Xiao Qing Long Tang suitable for improving cough or wheezing with copious clear watery phlegm and chills?
For presentations of aversion to cold (with or without mild fever), absence of sweating, cough or wheezing with large amounts of clear, thin, watery or frothy phlegm, chest fullness or oppression, possible facial or limb puffiness, a white slippery tongue coating, and a floating pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms exterior Wind-Cold with interior Tan Yin — TCM commonly applies Xiao Qing Long Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical 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.