Ding Chuan Wan - Calm Wheezing Pills

Herbal Formula Database

Ding Chuan Wan Herbal Formula Classifications and Usages

The herbal formula "ding chuan wan" , 定喘汤, which in english is "calm wheezing pills", is categorized within the "treat phlegm" functional grouping and within the "clear heat and transform phlegm" sub-category.

You may also see this formula referenced by: Ping Chuan Wan, Ding Chuan Tang, Ma Huang and Ginkgo Combination, Clear Mountain Air Teapills, Arrest Wheezing Pills, Ma Huang and Ginkgo Combination for Stabilizing Dyspnea, Asthma Relieving Decoction.

Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:

  • Directs the lung qi downward and clears phlegm heat from the lungs.  Typically used for the condition of wind cold blocking the exterior with internal accumulation of phlegm heat - which may involve symptoms such as the common cold, bronchitis, asthma - with wheezing, cough with thick sticky yellow phlegm that is difficult to get out, rapid shallow breathing, difficulty breathing. 
  • Conditions may be acute or chronic.

Ding Chuan Wan has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).

  • Generally avoided in patients that present with yin or qi deficiency.

Our shop contains ding chuan wan from the following manufacturers:

View Ping Chuan - Mayway
View Ping Chuan Wan - Nuherbs

For many reasons such as availability, ecological choices, and/or price, each manufacturer or herbalist may well adjust the exact composition of a specific formula. Ding Chuan Wan is generally comprised of the following herbs:

ViewChen Pi (Tangerine Peel)

Regulates Qi, improves transportive function of the spleen, relieves diaphragm - epigastric/abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting (promotes movement of qi in general; …

ViewDong Chong Xia Cao (Chinese Caterpillar Fungus, Cordyceps)

Strengthen kidney, tonify yang - impotence, sore/weak back. Tonify kidney yang, nourish lung yin, transform phlegm, stop cough - chronic cough, wheezing from deficiency, blood-streaked sputum. Tonif…

ViewFu Ling (Poria, China Root)

Promotes urination, drains dampness, transforms phlegm - urinary difficulty, diarrhea, edema, headache, dizziness, greasy tongue coat. Strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao - diarrhea, …

ViewGan Cao (Licorice Root)

Tonifies the spleen and augments qi - spleen deficiency w/shortness of breath, fatigue, loose stools (si jun zi tong). Qi and/or blood deficiency w/irregular pluse or palpitations (Zhi Gan Cao Tang)…

ViewSang Bai Pi (Mulberry Root Bark)

Drains lung heat - cough, wheezing. Promotes urination, reduces edema - lung heat obstructing downward movement of lung qi, preventing water from moving - no sweating, facial and floating edema, fev…

ViewXing Ren (Apricot Seed)

Stops cough and calms wheezing due to hot or cold patterns - especially for dry cough. Moistens the intestines, unblocks the bowels.

ViewYu Xing Cao (Houttuynia)

Clears heat and toxins, reduces swellings and abscess - for lung abscess or lung heat cough with thick, yellow-green sputum. Relieves toxicity and expels pus for toxic sores (internally and topicall…

ViewZi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf)

Release the exterior, disperse cold - wind-cold w/fever Resolve qi stagnation, open chest - vomiting, nausea Calm restless fetus - morning sickness Seafood poisoning - alone or in combination w/ot…

A single formula, alone, may not be sufficient to fully address a particular TCM diagnostic pattern. Formulas may be used alone, in combinations, and/or in stages. Ding Chuan Wan is a candidate for consideration when needing to influence lung dampness - phlegm heat and/or lung wind invasion - wind cold.

Ding Chuan Wan may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored overall approach, to influence the following conditions: asthma, bronchitis, common cold, cough and/or wheezing (dyspnea)

As noted above, ding chuan wan is within the treat phlegm functional group. And it appears within the sub-category "clear heat and transform phlegm", which contains the following formulas:

ViewQing Fei Wan (Clear The Lungs Decoction)

Clears heat and phlegm and replenishes lung yin - chronic cough, generally with thicker yellow mucus, sore throat. With the right factors aspiration pneumonia, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis,…

ViewQing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear the Qi and Transform Phlegm Pill)

Cough with thick yellow or green phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and possible fullness of the chest due to damp heat accumulation in the lungs.

ViewWen Dan Wan (Warm the Gallbladder Formula)

Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other shen disturbances caused by phlegm misting the mind. Seizures, convulsions or other types of involuntary muscle contractions that are caused by phlegm and he…

All formulas in the primary category of "treat phlegm" are listed below.

(truncated intro "...the concepts of dampness and phlegm are deeper than our initial associations with excessive mucus. excess dampness and phlegm inhibits circ…)".

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