Er Chen Tang 二陈汤
Two Aged Decoction


Tradition:


TCM

Source / Author:


Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era: 1107

Herb Name

Zhi Ban Xia (Pinellia root)
Ju Hong
(Tangerine peel)
Fu Ling (Poria)
Zhi Gan Cao
(Fried Licorice)

Latin


Pinellia ternata, prepared
Citrus reticulata
Poria cocos
Glycyrrhiza uralensis fried

Amount



15 grams ea.
9 grams
4
1⁄2 grams

Preparation:


Traditionally coarsely powdered to take 12 grams as a draught with 7 pieces of fresh Ginger root and 1 piece of Wu Mei (Mume fruit). Today, the above may be decocted to take in 4 doses over 2 days (one dose morning and night for 2 days).

Function:


Clears Phlegm, dries Damp, benefits Qi and Stomach

Use:


Note: in all cases the tongue coating will be white with moist, greasy coating and a slippery pulse.
1. Cough with excess clear or white sputum; sti
fling sensation in chest from excess Phlegm; chronic Bronchitis
2. Nausea, Vomiting, chronic Gastritis, Motion sickness
3. Cysts and nodules from Phlegm accumulation; Thyroid nodules; swollen Lymph

glands

Dose:


The above can be decocted and taken in 3 doses over the day, or 4 doses over 2 days
As a powder, 2–3 grams can be taken with Ginger tea.

Cautions:


None noted

Modifications:


1. If there are Heat signs add Scutellaria Huang Qi and Coptis Huang Lian
2. Cough from acute Wind-Cold attack and excess Phlegm, add Ephedra Ma Huang and Apricot kernel Xing Ren.
3. Vomiting from Stomach coldness, add dry Ginger Gan Jiang.
4. Excess Cold Phlegm with Spleen and Kidney coldness, add Galangal and Cinnamon. 5. Dryness with Phlegm, substitute Fritillaria Chuan Bei Mu for Pinella Ban Xia.


This is the primary formula for Phlegm-Damp diseases in TCM. Any condition coming from an excess of Phlegm and Damp can be treated with this, or modifications of it.

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