[Naming]

From “Handian”: Implies guiding the upward surging qi downwards.

 [Source]

Also known as “Zi Su Zi Tang” from “Qian Jin Fang” (652 AD), Volume 7. Found in “Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang” (1110 AD), Volume 3 (Baoxing New Formulas).

 [Formula Analysis]

From “Yi Fang”: This formula is for the Lung channel (Shou Tai Yin). (1) Su Zi, Qian Hu, Hou Po, Ju Hong, and Ban Xia all have the ability to descend rebellious qi and eliminate phlegm. When qi moves, phlegm also moves. These herbs can also release the exterior, thus resolving internal stagnation and dispersing external cold. (2) Dang Gui: moistens and harmonizes the blood. (3) Gan Cao: sweet and harmonizes the middle jiao. (4) Due to deficiency in the lower body and excess in the upper body, Rou Gui is used to guide fire back to its source. From “Handian”: Su Zi, Qian Hu, Hou Po, Chen Pi, and Ban Xia in the formula are all agents that descend rebellious qi and eliminate phlegm. When qi flows smoothly, phlegm also flows smoothly and does not stagnate. “Ban Xia Hou Po Tang” is the original formula, which belongs to qi-regulating formulas and can also release the exterior to dispel external cold. Dang Gui moistens blood, Gan Cao harmonizes urgency, and Gui Zhi guides the upward surging qi downwards.

 [Functions]

Descends qi and calms asthma, warms and transforms phlegm-dampness, expels phlegm and stops cough.

 [Indications]

Abundant phlegm-turbidity, cough and asthma with shortness of breath, fullness and distension in the chest and diaphragm, discomfort in the middle jiao, abdominal distension and fullness, stagnation of yin and yang, qi not ascending or descending, blockage in the chest and diaphragm, dry retching and vexation, tastelessness in the mouth, somnolence and poor appetite, lingering cold and retained fluid, accumulated undigested food. Individuals with weak constitution or the elderly, with weakness in the lower jiao, cold feet, and difficulty breathing due to rebellious qi rising with cough or asthma. From “Yi Fang”: Deficient yang attacking upwards, qi not ascending or descending, excess in the upper body and deficiency in the lower body, abundant phlegm-turbidity, asthma, cough, vomiting blood, or difficult bowel movements.

 [Western Medical Indications]

Chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema, pleurisy, tinnitus, hematemesis, epistaxis, edema, beriberi, etc.

 [Mnemonic]

Descend price — Dang Hou Rou’s skin sold for half a coin (Dang Hou Rou Pi Ban Qian Zi) + three assistants Gan Jiang Zao.

 [Modifications]

(1) If there is an external syndrome, add Ma Huang and Xing Ren to disseminate the lung, calm asthma, and disperse external pathogens. (2) If phlegm-turbidity is abundant, with asthma, cough, rebellious qi, and difficulty lying down, add Chen Xiang to enhance its action of descending qi and calming asthma. (3) If qi deficiency is present, add Ren Shen and Wu Wei Zi to astringe qi and suppress the lung. (4) If there is difficulty urinating, add Che Qian Zi to promote urination.