ZI WAN TANG

Lung-Ventilating & Phlegm-Transforming • Cough-Suppressing & Throat-Soothing Formula

Symptoms

Core Issue: A persistent cough that occurs after an acute cold/flu has passed, but the cough remains ("The lingering guest").

Throat Sensation: A distinct itchiness or "tickle" in the throat that triggers coughing fits.

Sputum: Phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, or scanty white/clear phlegm.

Respiratory: Mild chest oppression or a feeling of "restriction" in the Lungs.

Exterior/Interior Mix: Occasional aversion to wind or slight chills accompanying the cough.

Tongue: Pale red body with a thin white coating.

Pulse: Floating (Fu) and tight (Jin) or slippery (Hua).

Ingredients

Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides)
Raw Herbs 17g Granules 17.0g

Zi Wan (Aster tataricus)
Raw Herbs 17g Granules 17.0g

Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillaria cirrhosa)
Raw Herbs 16g Granules 16.0g

Jie Geng (Platycodon grandiflor.)
Raw Herbs 7g Granules 7.0g

Ren Shen (Panax ginseng)
Raw Herbs 7g Granules 17.0g

Fu Ling (Poria cocos)
Raw Herbs 7g Granules 7.0g

Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis)
Raw Herbs 7g Granules 7.0g

E Jiao (Equus asinus)
Raw Herbs 16g Granules 16.0g

Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)
Raw Herbs 6g Granules 6.0g

Posology

Granules
4.5g to 9g per day, divided into two doses.

Raw Herbs
Boil in 1000–1200ml of water and drink 1 to 3 cups per day.

Description

Zi Wan Tang is a masterclass in "ventilating" the Lung without over-drying or over-tonifying.

Zi Wan and Kuan Dong Hua are the Chiefs; they are unusual because they are moistening yet they descend Lung Qi. This makes them perfect for chronic coughs that have slightly damaged the Lung Yin.

Bai Bu is a powerful cough suppressant that specifically targets the "itch" and is even effective against whooping-style coughs.

Jing Jie acts as the "Wind-Dispeller"; it vents the surface to release any residual pathogen that is still "tickling" the throat.

Jie Geng and Bai Qian work as a duo for the Qi: Jie Geng opens the Lung Qi upward, while Bai Qian descends it, restoring the natural "pump" of the respiratory system.

Chen Pi transforms phlegm and prevents the formula from being too cloying.

Gan Cao harmonizes and soothes the throat.

Contraindications

STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED for Cough due to Excess Heat (yellow, thick, foul-smelling phlegm, high fever).

Use with caution in cases of Dry Cough from severe Yin Deficiency (dry tongue, no phlegm at all, night sweats) unless modified with more moistening herbs.

Not for use in acute stages of pneumonia without supplementary antibiotics or stronger heat-clearing herbs.