Research Article

Identifying Core Herbal Treatments for Children with Asthma: Implication from a Chinese Herbal Medicine Database in Taiwan

Table 1

Herbal formulae (HF) frequently used for asthmatic children in Taiwan (total prescriptions: 24,650).

Latin nameCompositionIndicationAverage dose (gm/day)Prevalence (%)

Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi-Tang (MXGST)Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica Stapf, Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C. A. Mey, or Ephedra equisetina Bhe.), Xing Ren (Prunus armeniaca L. var. ansu Maxim.), Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.)Heat evils congest the lung14.74,986 (20.2%)

Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang (XQLT)Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica Stapf, Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C. A. Mey, or Ephedra equisetina Bhe.), Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia Blume), Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit), Gan Jiang (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), Xi Xin (Asarum heterotropoides F Schum. var. mandshuricum (Maxim.) Kitag., or Asarum sieboldii Miq), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill), Bai Shao Yao (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.)Exterior wind-cold with internal accumulation of retained fluid13.53,225 (13.1%)

Xing-Su-SanXing Ren (Prunus armeniaca L. var. ansu Maxim.), Zi Su Ye (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt), Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit), Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata Blanco), Fu Ling (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.), Qian Hu (Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn), Jie Geng (Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.), Zhi Ke (Citrus aurantium L.), Sheng Jiang (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), and Da Zao (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.)Cool dryness attacks the lung15.93,159 (12.8%)

Mai-Men-Dong-TangMai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus Ker-Gawl.), Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit), Ren Shen (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.), Da Zao (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.), and Geng Mi (Oryza sativa L.)Lung and stomach Yin deficiency with deficient fire flaming upward12.42,640 (10.7%)

Zhi-Sou-SanJie Geng (Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta tenuifolia (Benth.) Briq.), Zi Wan (Aster tataricus L. f.), Bai Qian (Cynanchum stauntonii (Decne.) Schltr. Ex Levl. or Cynanchum glancescens (Decne.) Hand.-Mazz.), Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata Blanco), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.)Lung Qi failing to diffuse due to external pathogens15.02,594 (10.5%)