Formulas that release the exterior
Xiao qing long tang
Minor Blue-Green Dragon Decoction
- Chinese name
- 小青龙汤
- Group
- Formulas that release the exterior
- English name
- Minor Bluegreen Dragon Decoction
Diaphoretic, stimulating, diuretic and astringent; warms the lungs, clears stagnant fluid (white phlegm) and makes the qi descend.
Indications
For external wind, cold and damp: all acute upper respiratory infections such as colds, cough, flu, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial and chronic asthma and respiratory allergies. With fever, chills, no sweating, clear phlegm, cough, shortness of breath and a full, heavy feeling in the chest.
Ingredients
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ma huang (ephedra) | 6–9 g |
| Cinnamon twig (gui zhi) | 9–12 g |
| Dried ginger (gan jiang) | 9–12 g |
| Xi xin (Chinese wild ginger)toxic | no amount |
| Schisandra (wu wei zi) | 3–6 g |
| White peony root (bai shao) | 9–12 g |
| Ban xia, prepared (pinellia) | 9–12 g |
| Honey-fried licorice (zhi gan cao) | 3–6 g |
- Tongue
- white with a greasy coating
- Pulse
- superficial and slippery
Variations
- For severe wind-cold: more ma huang and cinnamon twig.
- For cough: add apricot kernel.
- For much phlegm and breathlessness when lying down: more xi xin and ban xia, and add fresh ginger.
- For a blocked, runny nose and headache: fresh instead of dried ginger and red instead of white peony, plus fang feng and jing jie.
- For internal heat: add gypsum.
Note
The legendary dragon of the east is the spirit of the waves that makes clouds and brings rain. Drink the decoction hot; as a pill, with hot water or ginger tea.