Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang: A Gentle Remedy for Cough, Asthma, and Phlegm
- Health Lab
- Jan 31
- 6 min read
Updated: May 2
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang, or Perilla Fruit Qi-Descending Decoction, is a time-tested Chinese medicine recipe first recorded in Prescriptions for Emergencies and later featured in the Song Dynasty’s Taiping Huimin Hejiju Fang.
This herbal blend is designed to ease coughs, clear phlegm, calm asthma, and restore balance in the body, especially for those with chest tightness and weak energy. With a mix of warming and soothing herbs, it’s a go-to for respiratory issues. In this guide, we’ll break down its ingredients, benefits, and modern uses in a clear, approachable way.
What’s in Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang?
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang combines seven key herbs to tackle phlegm and breathing troubles:
Perilla Seeds: The star ingredient, perilla seeds clear phlegm and ease coughs, helping to open the chest.
Pinellia Root: Dries up excess mucus and calms nausea or chest fullness.
Chinese Angelica: Nourishes blood and supports circulation to ease fatigue.
Licorice: Soothes the throat, harmonizes the formula, and reduces irritation.
Peucedanum Root: Clears lung congestion and relieves wheezing.
Magnolia Bark: Opens the chest and reduces tightness or bloating.
Cinnamon Bark: Warms the body and boosts energy, especially in the kidneys.
How to Prepare It
Grind the herbs into a fine powder.
Take 6g of the powder, add 2 slices of fresh ginger, 1 jujube (Chinese date), and 2g of perilla leaves.
Boil in water to make a decoction.
Modern doses can follow the original ratios but should be adjusted by a doctor.
What Does It Do?
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang is perfect for “upper fullness and lower emptiness,” a condition where phlegm clogs the lungs (causing chest tightness or wheezing) while low kidney energy leads to weakness. Common symptoms include:
Persistent cough with lots of phlegm
Chest tightness or shortness of breath
Wheezing or asthma, with more exhaling than inhaling
Tired or swollen limbs
Lower back pain or weak legs
A greasy or slippery white coating on the tongue
A stringy, slippery pulse
The formula works by:
Clearing Phlegm: Breaks up mucus to ease breathing.
Calming Asthma: Opens the airways to reduce wheezing.
Stopping Coughs: Soothes the throat and lungs.
Boosting Energy: Strengthens kidney energy to support overall vitality.
Why Does It Work?
The recipe targets the root causes of respiratory issues:
Upper Fullness: Phlegm blocks the lungs, causing coughs, chest tightness, and wheezing. Perilla seeds, pinellia, and peucedanum clear this congestion.
Lower Emptiness: Weak kidney energy fails to regulate breathing or support the body, leading to fatigue, back pain, or swelling. Cinnamon and angelica warm and strengthen the kidneys. By addressing both lung congestion and low energy, the formula restores balance and eases symptoms.
Who Can Benefit?
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang is ideal for those with:
Chronic Respiratory Issues: Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or bronchial asthma with phlegm and wheezing.
Post-Stroke Symptoms: Persistent hiccups or breathing difficulties.
Heart and Lung Conditions: Chronic heart failure or cor pulmonale (lung-related heart issues).
Other Conditions: Sleep apnea, constipation, acid reflux cough, pregnancy-related vomiting, or swelling.
It’s especially helpful when symptoms include chest fullness, white phlegm, and a greasy tongue coating. However, it’s not for asthma or coughs caused by lung heat (fever, yellow phlegm) or yin deficiency (dry cough, night sweats).
Customizing the Formula
A doctor may tweak the recipe based on your needs:
Extra Phlegm or Severe Cough: Add agarwood to boost airflow.
Cold or Flu Symptoms: Include ephedra or apricot kernels to clear the lungs.
Low Energy: Add ginseng or astragalus for a vitality boost.
Kidney Weakness: Include aconite or psoralea to warm the kidneys.
No Kidney Issues: Skip the cinnamon for a milder effect.
Modern Uses
Modern research confirms Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang’s effectiveness for:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Reduces wheezing and phlegm.
Bronchial Asthma: Eases breathing and calms attacks.
Other Conditions: Helps with stroke-related hiccups, sleep apnea, heart failure, acid reflux cough, constipation, swelling, or pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
Key herbs like perilla seeds, pinellia, and peucedanum have been studied for their ability to clear mucus, relax airways, and reduce inflammation, making this formula a valuable tool in both traditional and modern medicine.
Try It as a Soup: Perilla, Ginkgo, and Almond Decoction
For a nourishing dietary boost, pair Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang with this simple soup.
Ingredients
Perilla seeds (3g)
Ginkgo nuts (3g, pitted)
Almonds (5g)
Water (5 bowls)
Instructions
Place perilla seeds in a tea bag for easy removal.
Add all ingredients to a pot with 5 bowls of water.
Boil until reduced to 2 bowls.
Strain and sip warm.
This soup supports lung health and complements the decoction’s effects. Check with a doctor before combining with the herbal formula.
Who Should Avoid It?
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang is warming and drying, so it’s not for everyone. Avoid it if you have:
Asthma or cough from lung heat (yellow phlegm, fever) or yin deficiency (dry mouth, night sweats).
A hot constitution (prone to feeling overheated or thirsty).
Acute infections or conditions needing cooling herbs.
Always consult a healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe for you, especially if you’re tweaking the formula.
Final Thoughts
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang is a powerful, ancient remedy for coughs, asthma, and phlegm, rooted in centuries of Chinese medicine wisdom. With herbs like perilla seeds and pinellia, it clears lung congestion while boosting energy with cinnamon and angelica.
Whether you’re managing chronic bronchitis, asthma, or related conditions, this decoction offers gentle, effective relief. Pair it with a soothing soup for added support, but always check with a doctor before starting, especially if you have health concerns. Breathe easier and feel stronger with this classic herbal blend!
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