Xiao Cheng Qi Tang, Minor Order the Qi Decoction, is Da Huang, Hou Po and Zhi Shi. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that drain downward, and records it as purging Heat accumulation gently while moving Qi to relieve fullness.

Herb

Amount

da huang

12 g

hou po

6 g

zhi shi

6 g

Actions and indications

Gently purges Heat accumulation

Mild Yang Ming organ excess, or mild dry Heat in the Intestines at the Qi level of a warm disease
Constipation, or stool that is hard to pass but not yet fully dry and hard
Tidal fever with sweating, heaviest on the palms and soles, and aversion to heat
Irritability, delirious speech or mania from Yang Ming Heat
Dry mouth
Can be given as a cautious trial purge to judge whether the stool has hardened
Tongue dry with prickles, the coat dry and dark yellow, black, or dirty yellow; pulse deep, forceful and rapid, or slippery and rapid

Moves Qi in the middle and relieves fullness

Fullness, distention and pain of the epigastrium, abdomen and chest
Flatulence
Abdominal masses

Purges the Gallbladder

Eliminates Dampness

Early-stage dysentery with tenesmus, or diarrhea
Heavy body and difficult urination
Hemorrhoids

Modern uses

Constipation
Postoperative constipation and distention
Constipation and nausea from heavy use of opioid painkillers
Abdominal pain
Abdominal fullness and distention
Absence of peristalsis
Intestinal paralysis
Acute simple intestinal obstruction
Acute uncomplicated appendicitis
Acute cholecystitis
Acute pancreatitis
Biliary roundworms
Viral hepatitis
Chronic gastritis
Acute gastroenteritis
Stomach flu
Food poisoning
Food retention
Dysentery
Colitis
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn's disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Diverticulitis
Mesenteric lymphadenitis
Ascites
Hydrothorax
Hiccups
Nausea and vomiting
Hernia
Hemorrhoids
Abdominal masses
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Salpingitis
Trichomonas
Pneumonia, especially in children
Typhoid fever
Moist fever
Measles
Meningitis
Tetanus
Hypertension
Beriberi
Epilepsy
Mania
Neurosis
Emotional disorders
Profuse perspiration
Ephidrosis
Obesity
Toothache

Modifications

Qi deficiency in a generally weak patient: + huang qi, + ren shen

Blood deficiency in a generally weak patient: + dang gui, + chuan xiong

Irritability and restlessness from Lung Deficiency: + mai men dong, + wu wei zi

Tonsillitis: + shan dou gen, + jie geng

More severe constipation: + mang xiao

Dry Intestines in a weak patient: + xing ren, + huo ma ren, + bai shao

More severe bloating: + mu xiang, + bing lang

Delirium: + gou teng, + fu ling

Liver tension: + chai hu, + huang qin, + bai shao

Dysentery: + mu xiang, + bai shao, + huang bai

Peritonitis: + zhi ban xia, + sheng jiang

Constipation and bloating in acute febrile disease: + gui zhi, + sheng jiang, + da zao, + gan cao

Show all 22 modifications

Pelvic inflammatory disease or uterine cancer: + mang xiao, + hong hua, + dang gui, + gan cao
Obesity with weak Spleen Qi, Stomach Heat and food stagnation (combined with Bao He Wan)
Acute gastroenteritis: + shan zha tan, + shen qu tan
Abdominal pain in acute gastroenteritis: + shan zha tan, + shen qu tan, + mu xiang
Fever in acute gastroenteritis: + shan zha tan, + shen qu tan, + lian qiao, + bo he
Recurrent nausea and vomiting in acute gastroenteritis: + shan zha tan, + shen qu tan, + sha ren, + huang lian, + zhi ban xia
Viral hepatitis: + gan cao
Dampness in viral hepatitis: + gan cao, + cang zhu
Indigestion in viral hepatitis: + gan cao, + shen qu tan, + ji nei jin tan
Hiccups and constipation: + shi di, + zhu ru

Cautions

pregnancy Contraindicated in pregnancy

contraindication Constipation or abdominal fullness that comes from deficiency of Qi, Blood, Yin or Yang rather than true Heat accumulation

caution In weak, frail or elderly patients, give it only when truly needed and add tonic herbs

caution Too mild once the stool has become completely dry and hard

caution Short-term use: stop once the bowels have moved and the distention has eased

caution Suspected intestinal obstruction, appendicitis or cholecystitis needs urgent medical assessment; never purge an undiagnosed acute abdomen

Pinyin

xiao cheng qi tang·xiao cheng qi tang

English Name

Minor order the qi decoction

xiao cheng qi tang

About xiao cheng qi tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Gently purges Heat accumulation

Moves Qi in the middle and relieves fullness

Purges the Gallbladder

Eliminates Dampness

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification