Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
小陷胸湯 · Xiǎo Xiàn Xiōng Tāng
A classical Shang Han formula for phlegm-heat clumping in the chest with focal distension and pain on pressure.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Phlegm-Resolving Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Phlegm-Heat
- Primary Function
- Clear heat, resolve phlegm, open the chest
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Clear phlegm-heat clumping in the chest
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical Shang Han formula for phlegm-heat clumping in the chest with focal distension and pain on pressure.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for phlegm-heat clumping in the chest with focal pain on pressure, rather than mixed cold-heat glomus or diffuse Lung phlegm-heat.
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 Xia12g
Pinellia Rhizome- dissolves phlegm and dissipates masses
瓜蔞Gua Lou15g
Trichosanthes Fruit- clears heat and clears up phlegm
- loosens the chest and dissipates masses
Classical Composition
- Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian) 1 liang (6g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 0.5 liang (12g)
- Trichosanthis Fructus (Gua Lou) 1 piece (20g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Clears heat and dissolves phlegm
- loosens the chest
- and dissipates masses.
Indications
- Xiao Xian Xiong Tang is suitable for pattern of binding phlegm and heat.
- The symptoms are pi and oppression of the chest and abdomen, painful heart and chest distention, cough with sticky, thick and yellow sputum.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red with yellow and greasy coating. The pulse is slippery and rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Mistreatment from using purgatives for exterior cold diseases leads to invasion of pathogenic heat binding with phlegm-turbidity which obstructs the epigastrium and causes minor chest bind disease.
- Phlegm-heat obstructs either the epigastrium or diaphragm and blocks qi so the patient may complain of pi and oppression of the stomach or chest.
- Phlegm-heat accumulates in the lung causing cough with sticky, thick and yellow sputum.
- The treatment principle is to clear heat and dissolve phlegm, loosen the chest, and dissipate masses.
Clinical presentation
- The tongue and pulse qualities support the diagnosis of phlegm-heat accumulation.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to clear phlegm-heat clumping in the chest.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Xiao Xian Xiong Tang | Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang | Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Clear heat, resolve phlegm, open the chest | Harmonise cold and heat, disperse focal distension | Clear heat, resolve phlegm, regulate Qi |
| Formula Category | Phlegm-Resolving Formulas | Harmonising Formulas | Phlegm-Resolving Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Phlegm-Heat | Qi Stagnation | Phlegm-Heat |
| Main Conditions | Chest Tightness·Abdominal Pain | Bloating·Nausea·Diarrhea·Stomach Discomfort | Chest Tightness·Excessive Mucus |
| Main Herbs | Coptis Rhizome·Pinellia Rhizome·Trichosanthes Fruit | Pinellia Rhizome·Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap·Coptis Rhizome·Dried Ginger·Ginseng Root | Bile Arisaema·Trichosanthes Seed·Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap·Immature Bitter Orange·Tangerine Peel |
| Classical Source | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Ming-Qing classical formulary |
Clinical Perspective
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang, Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang and Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang address focal chest or epigastric patterns. Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang harmonizes mixed cold-heat glomus; Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang clears diffuse Lung phlegm-heat. Xiao Xian Xiong Tang clears phlegm-heat clumping in the chest with focal distension and pain on pressure.
Clinical Differentiation
- Xiao Xian Xiong Tang serves as a common formula applicable to patterns of accumulation of phlegm and heat in the chest.
- This clinical pattern is marked by oppression, pain and tenderness of the chest and diaphragm, red tongue with yellow and greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
Safety notes: Gua Lou and Huang Lian are cooling. This formula is not appropriate for cold-phlegm focal distension.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Xiao Xian Xiong Tang?
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang has the actions of clearing Heat, transforming Phlegm, opening the chest, and dissipating clumps. It is the Shang Han Lun formula for minor chest-binding (xiao jie xiong), in which Phlegm and Heat lock together in the chest and epigastrium.
Which modern diseases is Xiao Xian Xiong Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Phlegm-Heat binding in the chest, including acute or chronic bronchitis with yellow sticky phlegm and chest oppression, gastritis or reflux of Phlegm-Heat type with focal epigastric fullness that is tender to pressure, and some biliary or pleuritic discomfort of this pattern after emergency causes have been excluded.
Is Xiao Xian Xiong Tang suitable for improving chest-epigastric fullness that hurts when pressed?
For presentations of focal fullness or oppression in the chest or just below the heart, pain on pressure, cough with yellow sticky sputum, a yellow greasy tongue coating, and a slippery rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Phlegm-Heat binding — TCM commonly applies Xiao Xian Xiong Tang as an adjunct. Sudden severe chest pain requires urgent medical evaluation and is not treated with this formula alone.
Related Products
Nong's Xiao Xian Xiong Tang (Minor Chest-Focal-Distention Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Phlegm-Heat in the Chest, Focal Distension & Pain
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Epigastric Fullness, Mixed Cold-Heat & Digestive Disharmony
Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Cough & Yellow Sputum
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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.