Blue Green Lung Formula
Xiao qing long tang
Kan Traditionals
Dispels Wind Cold, resolves Phlegm, warms the Lungs, spreads Lung Qi and directs rebellious Qi downward.
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- Herb: Ginger rhizome, Apricot seed, Ginger cured pinellia rhizome, White peony root, Schisandra fruit, Chinese cinnamon twig, Perilla leaf, Perilla fruit, Honey fried Chinese licorice root and rhizome
- Herb (Pinyin): Gan jiang, Xing ren, Jiang ban xia, Bai shao, Wu wei zi, Gui zhi, Zi su ye, Zi su zi, Zhi gan cao
- Pattern: External invasion of Wind Cold with Internal Phlegm Damp accumulation in the Upper Jiao, rebellious Lung Qi
- Actions: dispels Wind Cold, resolves Phlegm, warms the Lungs, spreads Lung Qi and directs rebellious Qi downward
- Indications: Supports healthy Lung function, Supports healthy sinuses, eyes, ears, nose, throat, bronchi and skin., Assists with respiratory disharmony due to Wind Cold exposure, Occasional respiratory imbalances that get worse with exposure to damp, cold weather, Occasional water retention, Occasional chest heaviness
- Contraindications: Should not be used long-term., Should not be used for patterns with Heat due to Yin deficiency.
- Tongue: Pale and swollen with white, possibly greasy coat.
- Pulse: Floating, tight and slippery.
Blue Green Lung Formula is an adaptation of a famous classical Chinese formula, Minor Blue Green Dragon Decoction (Xiao Qing Long Tang), used for over a millennia. It is the classic formula for transforming Phlegm and expelling external invasions. The great strength of Blue Green Lung Formula is its combination of Exterior releasing, internally strengthening and Dampness resolving herbs which work synergistically to descend rebellious Lung Qi, transform Phlegm, warm and stabilize the Lungs and disperse Wind Cold.
The Lungs govern the Qi and the body’s Exterior and regulate the Water pathways. When the Lung Qi is weakened by a Wind Cold invasion in a person already manifesting deficient Lung and Spleen Qi, the dispersing of Qi becomes even weaker, leading to stagnant Qi, body fluid stagnation and accumulation. Blue Green Lung Formula releases an exterior Wind Cold invasion, warms the Lungs and transforms Phlegm.
Ginger rhizome, the chief herb, warms the Interior, transforms Phlegm and helps to release the Exterior. Ginger rhizome also warms the Spleen, which, in a deficient state, is the primary cause of Phlegm. Ephedra, no longer available in commerce, releases the Exterior, disseminates and facilitates Lung Qi moving downward. It has been replaced by Perilla fruit, which unbinds the chest, transforms Phlegm and redirects the Qi downward, and Apricot seed, which unblocks the Lung Qi and disperses Wind Cold.
Asarum, another herb subject to restrictive regulations, disperses Cold and releases the Exterior. It has been replaced by Perilla leaf to release the Exterior, disperse Cold, promote the movement of Lung and Spleen Qi, and expand the chest. Chinese cinnamon twig releases the Exterior and promotes Qi transformation, while Ginger cured Pinellia rhizome transforms congested fluids, redirects upward Qi rebellion and harmonizes the Stomach.
Schisandra fruit prevents the leakage of Lung Qi, and White peony root nourishes the Blood and Nutritive (Ying) Qi. Honey fried Chinese licorice root tonifies the Spleen, augments the Qi and harmonizes the entire formula.
Blue Green Lung Formula releases an exterior Wind Cold invasion, warms the Lungs and transforms Phlegm. Similar Exterior releasing formulas include: Calm Breath Formula to clear Heat from the Lungs, moisten the Lungs and transform Phlegm; Yin Qiao to clear Wind Heatinvasion and specifically to clear Heat from the throat; Great White Lung Formula to clear Wind Heat or Wind Cold invasion transforming into Heat in the Lung and to clear Phlegm; Lung Qi Release to warm and release an exterior lingering invasion.
ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
Minor Blue Green Dragon Decoction was first recorded in the great classic Shang Han Lun, written by Dr. Zhang Zhong-Jing. It is the classic formula for transforming Phlegm and expelling invasion and is an adaptation of three Exterior releasing formulas: one to warm and transform Cold Phelgm - Ephedra Decoction (Ma Huang Tang) and Cinnamon Twig Decoction (Gui Zhi Tang), together with Poria, Licorice, Schisandra, Ginger and Asarum Decoction (Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang).