Phlegm Retention, Dizziness, and Indigestion Herbal Remedy: Erchen Tang (Ijintang) | Hansarang Korean Medicine Clinic

Phlegm Retention, Dizziness, and Indigestion Herbal Remedy: Erchen Tang (Ijintang)

Hansarang Korean Medicine Clinic introduces Erchen Tang (Ijintang), a traditional Korean herbal remedy widely used for phlegm retention, dizziness, poor digestion, and fatigue. This classical formula eliminates dampness, clears phlegm, and restores digestive balance.

What Is Erchen Tang?

Erchen Tang, translated as “Two Aged Decoction,” is one of the most essential formulas in Korean and Chinese traditional medicine for resolving phlegm-dampness. It forms the structural foundation of many later-developed expectorant and digestive formulas.

Main Ingredients

The core ingredients include Pinellia Tuber (Ban Xia), Poria (Fu Ling), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang), and Licorice (Gan Cao). Together, they promote fluid metabolism, strengthen the spleen, and support digestive harmony by dispersing dampness and phlegm.

Understanding Phlegm Retention (Dampness)

Phlegm and dampness are not limited to visible mucus. In traditional medicine, they refer to the stagnation of body fluids caused by weak digestive energy (spleen Qi deficiency). This imbalance leads to both physical and emotional symptoms that circulate throughout the body.

Common Symptoms of Phlegm-Dampness

• Digestive: nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, indigestion
• Nervous system: dizziness, anxiety, insomnia, heaviness in the head
• Respiratory: cough with clear sputum, chest tightness
• Systemic: fatigue, swelling, sluggishness

Erchen Tang is often prescribed when multiple of these symptoms occur together, serving as a base formula to harmonize Qi and clear internal dampness.

Therapeutic Actions

Erchen Tang performs two major functions: Drying Dampness and Resolving Phlegm (Zao Shi Hua Tan) and Regulating Qi and Harmonizing the Middle (Li Qi He Zhong). These effects improve digestion, circulation, and energy balance, helping prevent the recurrence of phlegm-related disorders.

Modified Formulas Based on Erchen Tang

Several derivative prescriptions have been developed from Erchen Tang to address specific symptom patterns:

• Jeongjeon-Gami-Ijintang (Dingzhuan Jiawei Erchen Tang) — for indigestion and abdominal bloating.
  Ingredients: Ban Xia, Fu Ling, Chen Pi, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Bai Zhu, Cang Zhu, Zhi Ke, Sha Ren
  Improves digestive function and relieves fullness caused by Qi stagnation and dampness.
• Yukgunja-Tang (Liu Jun Zi Tang) — strengthens the spleen and eliminates phlegm.
  Ingredients: Ginseng, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Gan Cao, Ban Xia, Chen Pi
  Used for chronic indigestion, fatigue, and dampness-related weakness.
• Wen-Dan-Tang (Wendan Tang) — calms anxiety and insomnia related to phlegm-heat.
  Ingredients: Ban Xia, Fu Ling, Chen Pi, Gan Cao, Zhu Ru, Zhi Shi
  Balances emotional tension, chest fullness, and restlessness caused by internal phlegm-heat.
• Onwi-Hwan (Wen Wei Wan) — warms the stomach and relieves cold-type indigestion.
  Ingredients: Dried Ginger, Ginseng, Licorice, Pinellia, Poria
  Used for weak digestion accompanied by a cold stomach or bloating.

🔗 Read more about Onwi-Hwan (Wen Wei Wan): Causes, Symptoms, and Herbal Treatment

Usage and Precautions

Erchen Tang should be prescribed according to each patient’s body constitution and health condition. Please consult a licensed Korean medicine doctor before use. Self-administration without diagnosis is not recommended.

Hansarang Korean Medicine Clinic provides both in-person and online consultations for patients seeking natural and personalized herbal care for digestive and respiratory disorders.

👉 View Original Korean Blog Post

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This article is for educational purposes only. Effects may vary depending on individual constitution and condition. Please consult a qualified practitioner before using herbal medicine.