XIAO CHENG QI TANG

Slowly Purge Heat • Move Stagnant Qi • Unblock the Bowels

Symptoms

"Mild" Constipation: Difficulty passing stool, but without the extreme rock-hard dryness seen in severe excess patterns.

Abdominal Fullness: A distinct feeling of "stuffiness" (Pi) and "fullness" (Man) in the abdomen that is painful when pressed.

Tidal Fever: A fever that rises specifically in the afternoon (the "Yang Ming" time), often accompanied by sweating on the palms and soles.

Digestive Rebellion: Nausea or "rebellious" Qi as the stagnant pressure in the Intestines pushes upward against the Stomach.

Key Indicator: "Yang Ming Organ Pattern (Mild)"—where the "heat" has moved from the surface into the Intestines, causing the Qi to "clump" and the fluids to begin drying up.

Tongue: Red body with a dirty yellow, dry coating.

Pulse: Slippery (Hua) and Rapid (Shu).

Ingredients

Da Huang ( Radix et Rhizoma Rhei)

Raw Herbs: 12g | Granules: 44.5g

Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex Preparata)

Raw Herbs: 6g   | Granules: 22.2g

Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Preparata)

Raw Herbs: 9g   | Granules: 33.3g

Description

Xiao Cheng Qi Tang is the "Gentle Nudge" of the Cheng Qi family. While the Major version is like a flash flood, this formula is like a steady stream.

The Three-Criteria Rule: Traditionally, this formula is used when Stuckness (Pi), Fullness (Man), and Dryness (Zao) are present, but the Hardness (Shi) of the stool is not yet extreme.

Qi over Purging: Notice the ratios. This formula uses a higher proportion of Qi-moving herbs (Hou Po and Zhi Shi) compared to the "Major" version. This is because the primary problem here is Qi Stagnation blocking the exit, rather than just massive heat-dried stool.

Safety Mechanism: Because it lacks Mang Xiao (Glauber's Salt), it doesn't "soften" the stool as aggressively. This makes it safer for patients who are slightly weaker or whose condition is in the early stages.

Posology

Granules: 3 to 6g daily, taken in divided doses.

Raw Plants: Decoct in 1000ml of water. Unlike the "Major" version (where Da Huang is added at the very end), all three herbs in this formula are typically boiled together from the start. This "mellows" the laxative effect of the Da Huang, focusing the energy on moving the Qi.

Cautions

STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy. Purgatives are downward-draining and can cause miscarriage. Stop use immediately once the bowels have moved and the abdominal fullness is relieved. Overuse will damage the Yin and the Spleen/Stomach Qi. It is not for "deficiency" constipation (where the patient is too weak to push); it is for "excess" constipation (where something is blocking the way).