Èr Chén Tāng (二陈汤, Two-Cured Decoction) is a Chinese herbal formula from the Phlegm & damp category, with Bàn Xià as chief herb. It contains Bàn Xià, Chén Pí, Fú Líng, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Shēng Jiāng and Wū Méi. Actions: dries Damp, transforms Phlegm; regulates qi; harmonises Middle Jiao — foundational Phlegm formula.
| Pinyin | Èr Chén Tāng (Er Chen Tang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 二陈汤 |
| English | Two-Cured Decoction |
| Category | Phlegm & damp |
| Chief | Bàn Xià |
| Tongue | White greasy coat |
| Pulse | Slippery |
Ingredients
| Herb | Dose |
|---|---|
| Bàn Xià | 15g |
| Chén Pí | 15g |
| Fú Líng | 9g |
| Zhì Gān Cǎo | 4.5g |
| Shēng Jiāng | 7pc |
| Wū Méi | 1pc |
Actions
Dries Damp, transforms Phlegm; regulates qi; harmonises Middle Jiao — foundational Phlegm formula
Indications
Damp-Phlegm: cough with copious white phlegm, nausea, vomiting, chest fullness, dizziness
Formulas with similar ingredients
- Wēn Dǎn Tāng shares Bàn Xià, Chén Pí, Fú Líng, Zhì Gān Cǎo and Shēng Jiāng. Only Èr Chén Tāng has Wū Méi; only Wēn Dǎn Tāng has Zhú Rú, Zhǐ Shí and Dà Zǎo.
- Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng shares Bàn Xià, Chén Pí, Fú Líng, Zhì Gān Cǎo and Shēng Jiāng. Only Èr Chén Tāng has Wū Méi; only Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng has Tiān Má, Bái Zhú and Dà Zǎo.
Test yourself
What herbs are in Èr Chén Tāng?
Èr Chén Tāng contains Bàn Xià 15g, Chén Pí 15g, Fú Líng 9g, Zhì Gān Cǎo 4.5g, Shēng Jiāng 7pc and Wū Méi 1pc.
What is Èr Chén Tāng used for?
Damp-Phlegm: cough with copious white phlegm, nausea, vomiting, chest fullness, dizziness.
What are the actions of Èr Chén Tāng?
Dries Damp, transforms Phlegm; regulates qi; harmonises Middle Jiao — foundational Phlegm formula.
What tongue and pulse go with Èr Chén Tāng?
Tongue: White greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery.
Use Èr Chén Tāng in a case
Shen Study cases ask you to name the pattern, then choose the formula and points, and explain why.
Practise a TCM caseShen Study is a study tool. Doses are as taught in standard formula texts; they are not prescribing advice.