Er Chen Tang (Er Chen Decoction) is a well-known formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating phlegm. It is widely circulated due to its simple ingredients and remarkable efficacy, first appearing in the Song Dynasty’s official medical text, Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, which dates back over a thousand years.
1. Ingredients Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata) 15g (Powerful Vacuum Cleaner): Specifically targets sticky phlegm, capable of sucking out “dirty substances” from the lungs and stomach, and can also stop vomiting. Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata) 15g (Natural Digestive Aid): Dried orange peel that regulates qi (resolves bloating and belching) and helps thin phlegm for easier expulsion. Fu Ling (Poria cocos) 9g (Water Management Engineer): Acts like the body’s drainage pump, expelling excess moisture and phlegm dampness through urination, particularly suitable for those with a thick, greasy tongue coating and prone to edema. Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 6g (Team Lubricant): Harmonizes all the herbs, allowing them to perform their roles, while also protecting the gastric mucosa and alleviating the irritative effects of Ban Xia.
When decocting the above herbs, add 7 slices of fresh ginger and 1 dried plum.
2. Three Core Functions Phlegm Clearing Worker
👉 Excess phlegm resembling jelly (especially the first phlegm in the morning), phlegm stuck in the throat that cannot be coughed out, and post-nasal drip from rhinitis, this formula provides a “phlegm SPA” for the respiratory tract, softening and diluting the thick phlegm, helping you cough it out cleanly. Spleen and Stomach Regulator
👉 Feeling bloated and nauseous after meals, with a white, greasy tongue coating as if dusted with powder, this formula acts like a “two-way valve” for the digestive system, stopping acid reflux while promoting digestion and metabolizing greasy foods. Dampness Transporter
👉 Feeling heavy-headed and light-footed as if wrapped in a wet towel, sweating and feeling sticky in summer, and experiencing fatigue and lack of energy, this formula has a “drying machine” function, transforming the damp environment within the body into a dry one, allowing you to feel refreshed inside and out. 3. Common Uses for Modern People 🌫️Chronic Bronchitis: Drink continuously for 7 days (stop when phlegm becomes thin), more effective than cough syrup. 🥘Foodie’s Savior: After overeating, immediately brew a cup of Chen Pi and Fu Ling tea (a great oil-reducing tool). 🛌Overnight Recovery: After several nights of staying up late and feeling foggy, drink Er Chen Tang granules for two days (refreshing without harming the body). 👶Pediatric Tuina Combination: Combining with abdominal massage for babies enhances effectiveness. 4. Important Reminders ⚠️Contraindicated Groups: Pregnant women, those with yin deficiency and excess heat (feeling dry mouth and tongue), and those with excess heat syndrome (fever and sore throat) should avoid this formula.
🔥Modification Secrets: Cold phlegm (white phlegm that fears cold): Add ginger and brown sugar. Hot phlegm (yellow, sticky phlegm): Add Gua Lou (Trichosanthes fruit) and Bei Mu (Fritillaria). Wind phlegm (excessive phlegm with dizziness): Add Tian Ma (Gastrodia) and Gou Teng (Uncaria).
5. Historical Insight (from Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang) This Song Dynasty “pharmacopoeia” recorded Er Chen Tang, originally intended for officials to manage “wealthy diseases”—as the nobility at that time consumed rich and greasy foods, making them particularly prone to phlegm dampness. Unexpectedly, a thousand years later, it has become a secret weapon for workers dealing with takeout syndrome! Conclusion:
Er Chen Tang is like hiring a “four-in-one cleaning team” for the body, specifically designed to clear phlegm and dampness waste. Remember! As long as it matches your symptoms (phlegm dampness constitution), drinking it for 7 days will show changes, but do not self-medicate; it is best to consult a TCM practitioner for pulse diagnosis before use! 🧙