The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Xiao Qing Long Tang is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Wind-Cold. Its main actions are: 1) releases the Exterior and 2) transforms Phlegm-Fluids.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Xiao Qing Long Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs, Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs or Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis or bronchial asthma for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Xiao Qing Long Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Xiao Qing Long Tang helps treat.
The eight ingredients in Xiao Qing Long Tang
Ma Huang is a king ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Part used: Dried herbaceous stems
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): BitterPungent
Meridian affinity: BladderLung
Category: Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
In general Ma Huang's main actions are as follows: "Releases the surface through sweating. Promotes the circulation of Lung Qi and stop wheezing. Promotes urination."
In the context of Xiao Qing Long Tang, it is used because it releases the Exterior, arrests wheezing, and promotes urination.
Learn more about Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Gui Zhi is a king ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
Part used: Dried young branches
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): PungentSweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Gui Zhi releases the Exterior, opens the Blood vessels, and promotes Qi transformation. Together with the other key herb in this formula, Ephedra (Ma Huang), the two herbs disperse Wind-Cold from the Exterior, promote water metabolism to remove Phlegm-Fluids, disseminate Lung Qi, and open the vessels to treat wheezing and body aches.
Learn more about Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
Gan Jiang is a deputy ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Hot
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungStomach
Category: Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Gan Jiang works together with Wild ginger (Xi Xin), the other deputy herb in this formula, to warm the Interior, transform Phlegm-Fluids, and help the key herbs (Ephedra and Cinnamon twigs) release the Exterior. It is particularly effective at warming the Spleen, the deficiency of which is the primary cause of the Phlegm-Fluids. Wild ginger also stops the coughing by facilitating the flow of Qi throughout the body.
Learn more about Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Xi Xin is a deputy ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Wild Ginger (Xi Xin)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLung
Category: Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
In general Xi Xin's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and warms the Yang. Expels Cold and relieves pain. Warms the Lungs and reduces Phlegm. Moves the Qi and disperses Phlegm to open the nasal passages."
Learn more about Wild Ginger (Xi Xin)
Wu Wei Zi is an assistant ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruits
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): SourSweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLung
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
In general Wu Wei Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen)."
In the context of Xiao Qing Long Tang, it is used because it prevents the leakage of Lung Qi.
Learn more about Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): BitterSour
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Xiao Qing Long Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Blood and nutritive Qi.
Learn more about White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Ban Xia is an assistant ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Part used: Dried rhizome and tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: LungSpleenStomach
Category: Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."
In the context of Xiao Qing Long Tang, it is used because it transforms Phlegm-Fluids and harmonizes the Stomach.
Learn more about Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
8. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Xiao Qing Long Tang, it is used because it augments the Qi and harmonizes the interaction of the other herbs.
Learn more about Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Conditions and patterns for which Xiao Qing Long Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Xiao Qing Long Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat three different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Upper respiratory tract infections Bronchitis Bronchial asthma Emphysema Cardiopulmonary disease Hay fever Allergic rhinitis Conjunctivitis Dacryosolenitis Enteritis Peptic ulcers Atrophic gastritis Cirrhosis Bacillary dysentery Nephritis Rheumatic heart disease Pleuritis Epilepsy Enuresis Periarthritis of the shoulder
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Xiao Qing Long Tang treats upper respiratory tract infections" for instance. Rather, Xiao Qing Long Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind upper respiratory tract infections.
Now let's look at the three patterns commonly treated with Xiao Qing Long Tang.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Floating (Fu)
Symptoms: Fever Cough Eye swelling Oedema of face Shiny complexion Aversion to cold Shortness of breath Scanty clear urination
Xiao Qing Long Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs. This pattern leads to symptoms such as eye swelling, shiny complexion, scanty clear urination and fever. Patients with Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or floating (Fu) pulses.
This Exterior pattern is similar to Wind-Cold invading the Lungs, but there are also Dampness related symptoms in addition. It is because the water passages controlling function of the Lungs are damaged and it causes symptoms like facial or eye swelling.
The Wind, Cold and Damp obstruct the Lungs'... read more about Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
Body Fluids (Jin Ye) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Body Fluids in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Symptoms: Thirst No sweat No thirst Irritability Swollen limbs Restlnessness No desire to drink Urinary difficulty Pain in the muscles Absence of sweating Feeling of heaviness Generalized body pain Feeling of heaviness of body Alternating fever and chills Coughing with copious white sputum Superficial edema in the extremities Coughing of copious thin and white sputum
Xiao Qing Long Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs. This pattern leads to symptoms such as feeling of heaviness of body, pain in the muscles, no sweat and no desire to drink. Patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Swollen tongue with sticky white coating.
Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet, a classic Chinese Medicine book written almost 2,000 years ago by Zhang Zhongjing (150-219), defines Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs (Yi Yin) as follows: "The Fluids flow [throughout the entire body] and come together in the four limbs. They should issue... read more about Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Body Fluids (Jin Ye) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Body Fluids in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Symptoms: Asthma Oedema Coughing Wheezing Dizziness No thirst Pain in the muscles Absence of sweating Profuse white sputum Generalized body pain Alternating fever and chills General sensation of heaviness Stifling sensation in the chest Feeling of oppression of the chest Coughing of copious thin and white sputum
Xiao Qing Long Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm. This pattern leads to symptoms such as coughing, asthma, oedema and feeling of oppression of the chest. Patients with Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Swollen tongue with thick sticky white coating .
When Lung Qi is stagnant or Deficient (because, for instance, of Wind-Cold), Phlegm-Fluids (a type of Phlegm characterized by white, very watery and thin sputum) accumulates in the Lungs because they cannot fulfill their function of sending the Fluids down to the Kidneys or to the skin and muscles.... read more about Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
