Minor Sinking into the Chest Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
English Translation: Minor Sinking into the Chest Decoction
Formula Type: Clear Heat and Transform Phlegm
Actions: Clears heat, transforms phlegm, expands the chest, & dissipates clumps.
Indications: Focal distention (with or without nodules) in the chest & epigastrium that are painful when pressed, coughing up yellow & viscous sputum, constipation, a bitter taste a yellow, greasy tongue coating, & a slippery pulse that is either floating or rapid.
Contraindications: Because this formula can cause loose stools, it is contraindicated in cases with significant Spleen & Stomach deficiency.
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Gua Lou / Trichosanthes Fruit |
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm-Heat |
Dosage9-30g |
Actions1. Clears heat & transforms phlegm-heat: for heat-induced coughs with sputum that is thick & difficult to expectorate.
2. Expands the chest & dissipates nodules: for conditions in which the qi accumulates in the chest leading to a stifling or distended sensation, constriction, pain, or diaphragmatic pressure. Used in treating painful obstruction of the chest, Lung abscess, & breast abscess. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung, Stomch |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of cold from deficiency of the Spleen & Stomach, phlegm-cold, or phlegm-dampness. May be incompatible with wu tou, antagonize gan jiang, & counteract niu xi. |
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Huang Lian / Coptis Rhizome |
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp |
Dosage1.5-9g |
Actions1. Drains fire & relieves toxicity for heat with blazing fire with such symptoms as high fever, irritability, disorientation, delirium, red tongue, & a rapid full pulse. Also for exessive heat with toxicity with such symptoms as painful, red eyes & sore throat & for boils, carbuncles, & abscesses.
2. Clears heat & drains dampness: for damp-heat in the Stomach or Intestines that presents with diarrhea or dysenteric disorder. Also for vomiting &/or acid regurgitation due to Stomach heat.
3. Clears Heart fire: for irritability & insomnia due to lack of communication between the Heart & Kidneys.
4. Clears heat & stops bleeding: for nosebleed, or blood in the urine, stool, or vomit due to reckless moevement of the blood.
5. Drains Stomach fire: for digestive dysfunction with bad breath & belching with a putrid odor.
6. Clears heat topically: used topically for red & painful eyes & ulcerations of the tongue & mouth. |
MeridiansHeart, Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency, nausea or vomiting due to Stomach cold from deficiency, & diarrhea due to Spleen or Kidney deficiency. Long-term use is discouraged as it can injure the Spleen & Stomach. This herb may antagonize ju hua, xuan shen, bai xian pi, & jiang can, & may counteract kuan dong hua & niu xi. Some also say that it should not be taken with pork. |
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Ban Xia Jiang / Pinellia (Prepared w/ Ginger) |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold |
Dosage4.5-12g |
Actions1. Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, & causes rebellious qi to descend: for cough with copious sputum, as in conditions of phlegm-cold in the Lungs. Especially effective in transforming phlegm due to dampness of the Spleen.
2. Harmonizes the Stomach & stops vomiting: for lingering phlegm-dampness in the Stomach that rebels upward, causing nausea & vomiting.
3. Dissipates nodules & reduces distention: for nodules, pressure, distention, or pain due to phlegm lingering in the chest, phlegm nodules in the neck (such as those of goiter & scrofula), or obstructions caused by phlegm anywhere in the body. Also for focal distention in the chest & epigastrium. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in all cases of bleeding, cough due to yin deficiency, or depleted fluids. Use with caution in all cases with heat. May be incompatible with wu tou. Toxic: overdosage symptoms include feeling of burning & numbness in the throat, lips, queasy stomach & nausea, & a feeling of pressure in the chest. For recovery, administer raw ginger orally. |