Wu’ao Decoction，From *Dàn Liáo*, cited in Volume 2 of *Yifang Dacheng*.，For coughs caused by exposure to cold, accompanied by shortness of breath; or for cases where exposure to cold results in an inability to speak, or swelling and pain in the throat.
Wu’ao Decoction
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Formulas Name : Wu’ao Decoction
Chinese Name : 五拗汤
Drug Formulation
Ephedra (with nodes intact), apricot kernels (with skin and tips intact), licorice (raw), Chinese schizonepeta (with stems intact), and platycodon root—all in equal parts (in one variant, platycodon root and Chinese schizonepeta are omitted, and pinellia and triturated bitter orange are used instead).
Source
From *Dàn Liáo*, cited in Volume 2 of *Yifang Dacheng*.
Benefits
For coughs caused by exposure to cold, accompanied by shortness of breath; or for cases where exposure to cold results in an inability to speak, or swelling and pain in the throat.
Instructions for Use
Coarsely crush the ingredients. Add 3 slices of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take while warm.
Copyright: Excerpt from From *Dàn Liáo*, cited in Volume 2 of *Yifang Dacheng*., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 31, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 31, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 31, 2026
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Wu’ao Decoction,For coughs caused by exposure to cold, accompanied by shortness of breath; or for cases where exposure to cold results in an inability to speak, or swelling and pain in the throat.