Objective: To explore the regularity and characteristics of famous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) doctors in using Erchentang. Method: Data mining was performed for 341 cases of famous TCM doctors

with Erchentang as the main formula. First

frequency analysis showed symptoms

drugs and syndromes with the frequency of more than 10. Second

factor and cluster analysis was made for frequently used symptoms and drugs. Finally

correlation analysis for frequently used drugs (deducting Erchentang group) and association rule analysis for frequent symptoms (deducting target symptoms of Erchentang) showed meaningful factor group

cluster group

and support and confidence-defined second-order

third-order

fourth-order

five-order correlation results. Result: Meaningful factor group and cluster group were group 9 and group 8

respectively. According to the minimum defined support and confidence

deducting the main formula

there were 10 dual combinations of frequently used drugs

20 triple combinations and three quadruple combinations. There were 16 triple combinations of drugs for frequent symptoms deducting target symptoms of the main formula and main drugs

eight quadruple combinations and eight quintuple combinations. Conclusion: Erchentang's target symptom types are obstruction of lung by phlegm

dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency. Target symptoms are correlated to lung (cough

asthma

sputum)

spleen and stomach (abdominal distension

anorexia

loose stools)

heart (chest tightness

palpitation

dizziness

insomnia)

systemic symptoms (fever

bad cold

body aches)

tongue and pulse (pale tongue with whitish and greasy coating

slippery pulse). Commonly used herbs are Cttriexocarpium Rubrum

Pinelliae Rhizoma

Poria

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Commonly combined drugs herbs include Raphani Semen

Perillae Fructs

Sinapis Semen

Platycodonis Radix

Armeniacae Semen Amarum

and other expectorant

cough suppressant and anti-asthmatic drug

Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and other Qi-activating drugs

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma

Dioscoreae Rhizoma and other Qi-invigorating and spleen-tonifying drugs

Zingiberis Rhizoma

Asari Radix et Rhizoma

Ephedrae Herba and other warm-natured drugs. Frequently combined formulas include Sanzi Yangqintang

Liujunzi Tang

Maxing Shigan Tang. Erchentang is a basic phlegm-removing formula

and can be modified into Daotantang

Banxia Fuling Tang and Wenzhong Huatanwan.