Herbsmith Rx Xiao Qing Long San is a classical Chinese herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to support respiratory health, transform congested fluids, and warm the lungs in dogs, cats, and horses. Based on the traditional formula Xiao Qing Long Tang (also known as Minor Bluegreen Dragon Powder), it releases the exterior, transforms congested fluids, warms the lungs, and directs rebellious qi downward. It is well suited for pets presenting with cold-fluid obstruction in the lung, including signs such as cough with watery or clear nasal discharge, wheezing, labored breathing, aversion to cold, and absence of thirst arising from a cold-fluid pattern in the interior combined with wind-cold on the exterior. Available as a concentrated powder mixed into food; cats and dogs use the Canine Blend, while horses use the Equine/Horse Blend. Dosing varies by species and body weight, and your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.
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What It Supports
- Exterior release: Releases wind-cold from the exterior, addressing the surface component of the pattern and opening the lung's dispersing and descending functions to support normal respiratory flow.
- Congested fluid transformation: Transforms and dissolves cold-fluid accumulation (yin) in the lung and chest, addressing the watery phlegm, clear nasal discharge, and fluid obstruction that characterize this pattern.
- Lung warming: Warms the lung and the interior to dispel internal cold, restoring the lung's ability to govern qi and respiration without cold-fluid obstructing its function.
- Rebellious qi direction: Descends rebellious lung qi that rises upward as cough and wheezing, restoring the lung's normal downward-directing action and supporting breathing comfort in affected pets.
TCVM Principles
- Primary action: Releases exterior wind-cold while warming and transforming internal cold-fluid accumulation (yin zhuo) in the lung, addressing the exterior-interior combined pattern that drives cold-type respiratory presentations.
- Secondary action: Directs rebellious qi downward and restrains lung qi from excessive dispersion using the astringent herb Wu Wei Zi, balancing the formula's warming and dispersing actions to protect the lung qi while clearing the obstruction.
Available Forms
- Powder - Canine Blend (for dogs and cats): Available in 75 g, 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into food at the recommended dose for your pet's weight. Cats and dogs both use this blend.
- Powder - Equine/Horse Blend (for horses only): Available in 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into grain at the recommended dose for your horse.
Suggested Use
For Dogs (Canine Blend Powder):
- Under 30 lbs: ½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
- 30-80 lbs: 1 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
- 80-120 lbs: 1½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
- Over 120 lbs: 2 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
For Cats (Canine Blend Powder): ¼ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed
For Horses (Equine/Horse Blend, 1,000 lb horse): Two tablespoons twice daily for 20 days, then two tablespoons once daily in grain. If the horse initially refuses, start with a small amount mixed into grain and gradually increase until the horse is accustomed to the taste. Most horses will readily accept the herbs in their grain.
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae), Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis), Xi Xin (Herba cum Radice Asari), Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae), Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis)
Inactive Ingredient: Flaxseed
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Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
Xiao Qing Long San is a seven-herb formula that balances warming and dispersing herbs with an astringent herb to simultaneously release the exterior, warm and transform internal cold-fluid accumulation, and protect lung qi from excessive dispersal:
- Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae) - Cinnamon Twig: Co-principal herb; releases wind-cold from the exterior, warms the channels, and assists the yang; addresses the wind-cold exterior component of the pattern and supports the formula's interior-warming action.
- Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis) - Dried Ginger Rhizome: Co-principal herb; warms the lung and middle burner, disperses cold, and transforms congested fluids (yin); directly warms the interior cold that has accumulated in the lung and chest, addressing the root of the fluid obstruction pattern.
- Xi Xin (Herba cum Radice Asari) - Asarum / Chinese Wild Ginger: Disperses wind-cold, warms the lung, and transforms cold-fluid accumulation; works with Gui Zhi and Gan Jiang to release the exterior and warm the interior simultaneously, and is particularly effective for cold-type wheezing and watery nasal discharge.
- Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) - Schisandra Berry: Restrains and astringes the lung qi, prevents excessive dispersion of lung qi caused by the warming and dispersing herbs, and stops cough; acts as a critical balancing herb that preserves lung qi while the formula clears the obstruction.
- Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae) - White Peony Root: Nourishes the blood and yin, moderates the drying and dispersing action of the warming herbs, and supports the smooth flow of qi; prevents the warming herbs from depleting yin and blood while the cold-fluid pattern is being resolved.
- Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae) - Pinellia Rhizome: Transforms phlegm, dries dampness, descends rebellious stomach and lung qi, and disperses accumulation; addresses the phlegm-fluid component of the pattern and supports the formula's action in directing rebellious qi downward to relieve cough and wheezing.
- Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis) - Honey-fried Licorice Root: Tonifies the spleen qi, moderates the actions of the other herbs, and harmonizes the formula; supports the middle burner's role in fluid metabolism and ensures the formula's warming and dispersing herbs are well tolerated.
Potential Drug Interactions
Xiao Qing Long San contains warming and fluid-transforming herbs including Gui Zhi, Gan Jiang, Xi Xin, and Ban Xia, which have significant warming, vasodilating, and mucous-membrane-stimulating properties. Xi Xin (Asarum) in particular warrants close veterinary monitoring in pets with pre-existing kidney conditions, as it contains compounds that require appropriate dosing and duration management. Pets currently on prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision, as herb-drug interaction research in dogs and cats remains limited.
Medication categories warranting extra caution include cardiac medications, diuretics, anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, immunosuppressive drugs, and pets with pre-existing kidney or cardiac conditions. Your authorizing veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your pet's condition, current medications, and laboratory results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions is Xiao Qing Long San used for in TCVM?
In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Xiao Qing Long San is indicated for wind-cold exterior invasion with internal cold-fluid accumulation (yin zhuo) in the lung, presenting as cough with watery or clear nasal discharge, wheezing, labored breathing, aversion to cold, absence of thirst, and a tight or wiry pulse. It is also known as Minor Bluegreen Dragon Powder, and is appropriate for pets whose respiratory presentations have a clear cold pattern with watery fluid accumulation rather than a heat or dryness presentation.
How is Xiao Qing Long San administered to dogs, cats, and horses?
Mix the powder directly into food or grain at the dose recommended for your pet's species and body weight. Both dogs and cats use the Canine Blend; horses use the Equine/Horse Blend. Dogs and cats receive the formula twice daily; horses receive two tablespoons twice daily for the first 20 days, then once daily for maintenance. Your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the appropriate dose and schedule for your individual pet.
How long does it take to see results with Xiao Qing Long San?
As a formula designed for an exterior-interior combined cold pattern, Xiao Qing Long San is intended to act relatively promptly when the pattern is well matched. Many pets show improvement in cough, nasal discharge, and breathing ease within 1 to 3 weeks of consistent use. If the respiratory signs persist or change character, such as a shift from clear to yellow or green discharge, the underlying pattern may have changed, and your veterinarian may recommend a different formula better suited to the current presentation.
Can Xiao Qing Long San be combined with other TCVM formulas or conventional medications?
Combination with complementary TCVM formulas is common in holistic veterinary practice and should be guided by your authorizing veterinarian based on your pet's full pattern diagnosis. Because this formula contains Xi Xin (Asarum), which requires appropriate dosing and duration management, particularly in pets with kidney considerations, and Ban Xia, which has specific preparation requirements, veterinary oversight is especially important if your pet is on cardiac medications, diuretics, or has pre-existing kidney or cardiac conditions, to ensure the treatment plan is appropriate for your pet's overall health status.