Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang, Poria, Licorice, Schisandra, Ginger and Asarum Decoction, is those five. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that warm and transform Cold-Phlegm, and records it as warming the Lungs and transforming congested fluids.

Herb

Amount

12 g

9 g

9 g

9 g

6 g

Actions and indications

Warms the Lungs and transforms congested fluids

Cold thin mucus (Han Yin) from Yang deficiency, with fluids collecting in the Lungs because a weak Spleen Yang fails to move them
Cough and wheezing with plenty of thin, watery white sputum that comes up easily
Discomfort or fullness in the chest and diaphragm, sometimes with much saliva
Tongue normal or pale with a white, slippery coat; pulse wiry and slippery

Modern uses

Cough
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Chronic asthma
Cold-type asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Dyspnea

Modifications

Copious sputum with nausea: + zhi ban xia

Prominent wheezing, on top of the Ban Xia: + xing ren

Abdominal distension: + chen pi, + zhi ke

Debilitated patients: + dong chong xia cao

Severe cough with a puffy face: + xing ren

Lingering cough: + zi wan, + kuan dong hua

Flushed face from Yang Ming Heat: + da huang

Signs of Wind: + sheng jiang, + zi su ye, − gan jiang

Spleen deficiency with no appetite: + dang shen, + bai zhu, + chen pi

Laboured breathing from Lung and Kidney deficiency with sudden Cold build-up (combined with Wen Fei Tang): + zhi ban xia, + xing ren, + chen pi

Cautions

contraindication Cough or laboured breathing from Lung Heat

contraindication Yin deficiency, Dryness, or a dry cough with little or blood-streaked sputum, where there is no underlying cold fluid retention

caution Xi Xin carries aristolochic acid, a kidney toxin and carcinogen. Only its root and rhizome should be used, kept to the smallest dose that works and a short course, with a qualified practitioner overseeing; several countries restrict or ban it

pregnancy Both Xi Xin and Gan Cao call for care in pregnancy; use only under professional guidance

Pinyin

ling gan qu wei jiang xin tang·ling gan wu wei jiang xin tang

English Name

Poria, Licorice, Schisandra, Ginger, and Asarum Decoction·Poria, Schisandra, Ginger, and Asarum Decoction

ling gan qu wei jiang xin tang

About ling gan qu wei jiang xin tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Warms the Lungs and transforms congested fluids

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification