Xiao Qing Long Tang

Minor Blue-Green Dragon Decoction

Release Wind-Cold • Warm the Lungs • Transform Thin Phlegm • Restore Lung Qi Movement

Xiao Qing Long Tang is one of the most important classical formulas for treating Cold-induced fluid congestion in the Lung system. First recorded in the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), it is specifically designed for patients where an exterior Wind-Cold invasion combines with underlying fluid accumulation, creating cough, wheezing, mucus, and chest congestion.

Unlike formulas that simply release the exterior or only address cough, Xiao Qing Long Tang works on multiple levels by warming the Lungs, dispersing Cold, transforming Thin Phlegm, promoting fluid movement, and restoring proper Lung Qi circulation.

When patients present with chills, absence of sweating, cough with clear or watery mucus, chest fullness, and body aches, Xiao Qing Long Tang is often one of the first formulas practitioners consider.

Beyond acute respiratory illness, this formula has become highly valued for chronic respiratory patterns involving Cold and Damp constitution, including seasonal allergies, reactive airway patterns, and long-standing phlegm accumulation.

Traditional Indications

• Wind-Cold invasion
• Cold congesting the Lung
• Cough with thin, watery sputum
• Wheezing
• Chest fullness
• Chills
• Absence of sweating
• Body aches
• Nasal congestion
• Cold-induced respiratory symptoms
• Phlegm-Fluids obstructing the Lung

TCM Pattern

Exterior Wind-Cold with Internal Water Retention Obstructing the Lung

Xiao Qing Long Tang releases the exterior, warms the Lungs, transforms Thin Phlegm, promotes fluid metabolism, stops cough, and directs rebellious Lung Qi downward.

Modern Clinical Applications

Many practitioners reach for Xiao Qing Long Tang when supporting patients experiencing:

• Acute cough with clear mucus
• Wheezing with Cold signs
• Seasonal allergies with watery discharge
• Allergic rhinitis
• Chronic cough aggravated by cold weather
• Chest congestion with thin phlegm
• Respiratory symptoms with chills and body aches
• Asthma-like patterns with Cold and Damp features
• Long-standing Damp constitution affecting the Lungs
• Cold-triggered respiratory flare-ups

Its unique ability to address both exterior Cold and internal fluid congestion makes it one of the most versatile respiratory formulas in the Shang Han Lun tradition.

Ingredients

Ma Huang — 20%
Gui Zhi — 15%
Ban Xia — 15%
Gan Jiang — 10%
Xi Xin — 10%
Wu Wei Zi — 10%
Bai Shao — 10%
Zhi Gan Cao — 10%

Based on classical ratios and standard modifications

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

Pronounced Damp-Phlegm with Cough

60% Xiao Qing Long Tang + 40% Er Chen Tang

Excellent when Cold-induced respiratory symptoms are complicated by thicker phlegm, chronic Damp accumulation, chest congestion, and digestive weakness contributing to mucus production.

Chronic Cold-Phlegm Cough with Rebellious Lung Qi

50% Xiao Qing Long Tang + 50% Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang

A favorite combination when cough is persistent, phlegm descends poorly, and Cold-Phlegm contributes to wheezing or difficulty breathing.

Single Herb Pairings

For further customization, consider adding:

Chen Pi — when Dampness is more prominent, with chest fullness, mucus, bloating, or sluggish fluid transformation.

Zi Wan — when cough is the primary concern and additional Lung support is needed.

Urban Herbs Practitioner Advantage

Every 16 oz amber bottle is designed for fast, customized dispensing in clinical practice. Blend Xiao Qing Long 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 Xiao Qing Long Tang on the Shelf

Every practitioner eventually encounters the patient who says,

"Every time the weather turns cold, my chest tightens, I start coughing, and I cannot clear the mucus."

That patient often reflects the classic Xiao Qing Long Tang presentation.

Its strength comes from recognizing that some respiratory symptoms are not simply caused by an excess of mucus—they are caused by Cold preventing fluids from properly moving. When Cold constricts the Lung and fluids accumulate, the result is coughing, wheezing, and clear phlegm that lingers.

Practitioners frequently reach for Xiao Qing Long Tang when supporting:

• Cold-triggered cough
• Clear, watery mucus
• Wheezing with chills
• Allergic rhinitis
• Seasonal respiratory symptoms
• Asthma patterns with Cold signs
• Chest fullness
• Damp constitution with Lung involvement
• Patients who feel worse in cold weather
• Early respiratory illness before Heat develops

Because Urban Herbs tinctures are designed for blending, Xiao Qing Long Tang becomes even more versatile when combined with formulas that transform additional Phlegm, support chronic cough, regulate digestion, or address lingering respiratory weakness.

For many practitioners, it is the formula they consider when the Lungs are cold, the fluids are stuck, and the body needs help restoring movement.

One bottle. A timeless solution for releasing Cold, transforming fluids, and restoring clear Lung function.

Practitioner Snapshot

Category

Exterior-Releasing & Respiratory Formulas

Primary Actions

• Releases Wind-Cold
• Warms the Lungs
• Transforms Thin Phlegm
• Promotes Fluid Movement
• Stops Cough
• Directs Lung Qi Downward

Best For

• Cold-induced cough
• Wheezing
• Clear mucus
• Allergic rhinitis
• Seasonal allergies
• Chest congestion
• Cold-Damp respiratory patterns
• Chronic cough with phlegm

Pairs Well With

• Er Chen Tang
• Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
• Ge Gen Tang
• Ma Huang Tang
• Wen Dan Tang

Clinical Personality

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cold-Phlegm Transformation
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Respiratory Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Exterior Release
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Lung Warming
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Fluid Regulation

Clinical Pearl

Xiao Qing Long Tang is one of the classic formulas every practitioner associates with the phrase “cold with phlegm.” Its hallmark indication is a patient whose respiratory symptoms are driven by Cold and fluid accumulation rather than Heat—producing chills, cough, clear mucus, chest fullness, and wheezing.

Its brilliance lies in its ability to both open the exterior and transform the interior. Ma Huang and Gui Zhi release Wind-Cold, Gan Jiang and Xi Xin warm the Lungs and disperse Cold, Ban Xia transforms Phlegm, Wu Wei Zi preserves Lung Qi, Bai Shao protects Yin, and Gan Cao harmonizes the formula.

For practitioners, Xiao Qing Long Tang remains an essential formula for patients whose cough is not from excess Heat, but from Cold that has trapped fluids deep within the Lung system.