Er Chen Tang

Two Cured Decoction

Transform Damp-Phlegm • Strengthen the Spleen • Restore Clear Thinking

Er Chen Tang is the foundational formula for transforming Damp-Phlegm in Traditional Chinese Medicine and serves as the basis for countless formulas that followed. Designed to dry Dampness, regulate Qi, strengthen the Spleen, and transform phlegm, it addresses one of the most common root patterns seen in modern clinical practice.

Whether phlegm presents in the lungs as chronic cough and congestion or in the digestive system as nausea, bloating, and sluggish digestion, Er Chen Tang restores the Spleen's ability to properly transform and transport fluids. As Dampness resolves, phlegm diminishes, Qi flows more freely, and the mind often becomes noticeably clearer.

For practitioners, Er Chen Tang is one of the most indispensable formulas in a complete herbal pharmacy—a true workhorse that serves as the foundation for countless customized prescriptions.

Traditional Indications

• Chronic productive cough
• Copious white sputum
• Chest oppression
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Abdominal fullness
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Heavy sensation in the body
• Damp-Phlegm accumulation

TCM Pattern

Damp-Phlegm Obstructing the Middle Jiao and Lungs

Er Chen Tang dries Dampness, transforms phlegm, regulates Qi, strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Stomach, and restores healthy fluid metabolism throughout the body.

Modern Clinical Applications

Many practitioners reach for Er Chen Tang when supporting patients experiencing:

• Chronic productive cough
• Chronic sinus congestion
• Seasonal mucus production
• Functional nausea
• Acid reflux with phlegm
• Brain fog
• Chronic fatigue with heaviness
• Vertigo
• Motion sensitivity
• Digestive sluggishness
• Obesity associated with Dampness
• Metabolic sluggishness

Clinical experience has shown Er Chen Tang to be especially valuable for patients whose symptoms include the classic "phlegm misting the mind" presentation—mental fogginess, sluggish thinking, difficulty concentrating, and a persistent feeling of heaviness that often accompanies Damp accumulation.

It is also one of the best foundational formulas for addressing chronic Dampness before adding more condition-specific modifications.

Ingredients

• Zhi Ban Xia — 30%
• Ju Hong (or Chen Pi) — 20%
• Fu Ling — 20%
• Zhi Gan Cao — 10%
• Sheng Jiang — 10%
• Wu Mei (traditional optional addition) — 10%

Crafted using our signature Two-Cured Decoction™ process—combining a traditional hot water decoction with a secondary high-proof alcohol extraction—to capture both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble herbal constituents for a full-spectrum tincture.

Practitioner Favorites

Damp Digestion + Heavy Middle Jiao

60% Er Chen Tang + 40% Ping Wei San

Excellent when digestive Dampness predominates with bloating, loose stools, heaviness, and poor appetite.

Phlegm-Heat + Anxiety + Brain Fog

50% Er Chen Tang + 50% Wen Dan Tang

A favorite combination when Damp-Phlegm has transformed into Heat, producing anxiety, insomnia, nausea, mental fog, and emotional restlessness.

Single Herb Pairings

For further customization, consider adding:

• Hou Po or Sha Ren — to improve Qi movement, reduce bloating, and relieve abdominal distention.
• Bai Jie Zi — for stubborn phlegm lodged in the chest with chronic congestion.
• Zhu Ru — when nausea is accompanied by Heat signs or irritability affecting the Stomach.

Urban Herbs Practitioner Advantage

Every 16 oz amber bottle is designed for fast, customized dispensing in clinical practice. Blend Er Chen Tang with complementary formulas to create individualized prescriptions in minutes—giving your patients the convenience of a liquid tincture while providing your practice with a flexible, space-saving herbal pharmacy.

Double-extracted. Ready to dispense. Built for practitioners.

Why Practitioners Keep Er Chen Tang on the Shelf

If there is one formula that belongs in every Chinese herbal dispensary, it is Er Chen Tang.

Dampness and phlegm underlie an enormous number of modern health complaints—from chronic congestion and digestive sluggishness to fatigue, dizziness, metabolic imbalance, and brain fog.

Rather than simply treating symptoms, Er Chen Tang corrects one of the body's fundamental physiological imbalances: impaired fluid metabolism resulting from weakened Spleen function.

Practitioners frequently reach for Er Chen Tang when treating:

• Chronic productive cough
• Persistent mucus production
• Brain fog
• Damp digestion
• Functional nausea
• Vertigo
• Chronic sinus congestion
• Heaviness after eating
• Patients with swollen tongues and thick greasy coatings
• Constitutional Damp-Phlegm patterns

Because Urban Herbs tinctures are designed for blending, Er Chen Tang becomes one of the most versatile formulas on the shelf. It serves as the foundation for countless customized prescriptions involving respiratory, digestive, neurological, and metabolic presentations where Dampness plays a central role.

Few formulas are prescribed more often—and few provide a better starting point for individualized herbal medicine.

One bottle. The foundation for resolving Dampness and transforming phlegm.

Practitioner Snapshot

Category

Dampness & Phlegm-Transforming Formulas

Primary Actions

• Transforms Damp-Phlegm
• Strengthens the Spleen
• Regulates Qi
• Harmonizes the Stomach
• Resolves Dampness
• Clears Mental Fog

Best For

• Productive cough
• Brain fog
• Chronic congestion
• Nausea
• Vertigo
• Digestive sluggishness
• Chest oppression
• Damp-Phlegm constitution
• Metabolic sluggishness

Pairs Well With

• Wen Dan Tang
• Ping Wei San
• Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
• Liu Jun Zi Tang
• Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan

Clinical Personality

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Phlegm Transforming
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Damp Resolving
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Spleen Strengthening
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Qi Regulating
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Mental Clarity Supporting

Clinical Pearl

Er Chen Tang is often called the "mother of all phlegm formulas" because so many classical prescriptions are built upon its foundation. When patients present with a combination of mucus, digestive sluggishness, heaviness, swollen tongue with a greasy coating, and the unmistakable sensation of "thinking through a cloud," this formula is frequently the first place experienced practitioners begin. By restoring the Spleen's ability to properly transform fluids, Er Chen Tang addresses the root of Damp-Phlegm rather than simply suppressing its symptoms. It remains one of the most frequently prescribed and clinically versatile formulas in Chinese herbal medicine—and one that earns a permanent place in every practitioner's herbal pharmacy.