Qingjin Huatan Decoction

Qingjin Huatan Decoction is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula composed of 11 herbal ingredients: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Huangqin), Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis (Zhizi), Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. (Jiegeng), Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl. (Maidong), Morus alba L. (Sangye), Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. (Zhebeimu), Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Zhimu), Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. (Gualoupi), Citrus reticulata Blanco (Chenpi), Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf. (Fuling) and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. (Gancao)[1][6]. Originating in the Ming Dynasty and documented in the “Genera Principles of Medicine,” it has been used for over 400 years to treat pulmonary diseases characterized by phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs[5]. Modern pharmacological studies show that it possesses antitussive, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiviral and immune-enhancing properties[5][6]. Mechanistically, it downregulates inflammatory signaling pathways such as JAK2/STAT3 and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ and IL17A[1][5][6]. It has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of influenza A virus pneumonia by reducing viral load and lung inflammation[1][6], as well as clinical benefit in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by improving pulmonary function and reducing airway inflammation when used adjunctively with standard therapy[7].

Brand names

Qingjin Huatan Decoction

Other names

Qing-Jin-Hua-Tan-Decoction清金化痰汤