Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang 沙参麦门冬汤
Glehnia and Ophiopogon Decoction

Tradition:

TCM

Source / Author:

Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systemic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases), by Wu Ju Tong (1798)

* Glehnia littoralis is called Bei Sha Shen, and is used in the north of China. Adenophora tetraphylla is another source of Sha Shen called Nan Sha Shen and is typically used in the south of China They are considered synonymous and either can be used in this formula.
** originally fresh Licorice root was ordered, but today, the dried root is commonly used

Preparation:

Decoction. Decoct in 5 cups of water until 2 cups remain.

Function:

Nourishes Yin, Clears Wind-Heat, Strengthens Lung and Stomach (Yin)

Use:

Dry Cough, dry throat, maybe with nausea, red tongue with a thin coat, rapid pulse
1. Chronic, Dry Cough
2. Chronic Bronchitis
3. Cough and Wheezing in Children
4. Chronic / Atrophic Gastritis
5. Pneumonia
6. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
7. Lung or Oesophageal Cancer
8. Stomach Cancer
9. Diabetes Mellitus

Dose:

The above is taken over the day in 2 equal doses.

Cautions:

None noted

Modifications:

1. Fever with chronic Cough, add Lycium root Di Gu Pi
2. Chronic Cough, add Platycodon Jie Geng and Coltsfoot flower (Kuan Dong Hua)
3. Strong Cough, add Bitter Apricot kernel (Ku Xing Ren) and Fritillaria Zhe Bei Mu
4. Severe dry Cough, add Apricot kernel (Xing Ren), Houttuynia Yu Xing Cao
5. Severe Cough and Wheezing, add Apricot kernel (Xing Ren), Earthworm (Di Long) and Ephedra Ma Huang
6. Severe deficiency and fatigue, add Astragalus Huang Qi
7. Blood-streaked sputum, add Agrimony (Xian He Cao) and Madder (Qian Cao)
8. Consumption, Tuberculosis, add Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang and Figwort (Xuan Shen)
9. Lung or Esophageal Cancer, add Black Nightshade (Long Kui), Astragalus Huang Qi, Bitter Apricot kernel (Ku Xing Ren)

Back to DECOCTIONS
Back to FORMULAS
How to Modify a Formula
Substitutes
Weights & Measures