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Wind-phlegm is a syndrome most common in infants, occurring throughout all four seasons. Generally speaking, during the transition from winter to spring, warm-dispersing methods are appropriate, using herbs such as Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Juhong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), and Suzi (Perillae Fructus). In summer, clear-dispersing methods are appropriate, using herbs such as Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), and Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus). In autumn, clearing and moistening methods are appropriate, using herbs such as Zhike (Aurantii Fructus) and Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus). In the severe cold of winter, cases have been resolved with Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction). The Lung is a delicate and tender organ; it should always be treated with dispersing and resolving methods, and one must not recklessly administer pill or powder formulations.

De notes: Xu Huixi stated that Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) is frequently used in cough medicines. Jiegeng has an ascending and lifting action. In Ganjie Tang (Licorice and Platycodon Decoction), it is used to carry Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) upward to treat sore throat due to Shaoyin (Lesser Yang) channel pathology. This differs from the treatment of cough, which should employ clearing and descending methods. Taking Jiegeng indiscriminately often leads to rebellious Qi and rising phlegm, making it impossible to lie down comfortably. I personally believe that since infants do not know how to expectorate phlegm, Jiegeng should be used with particular caution.

Although the Lung prefers moisture, damp-phlegm in the Stomach should be treated with drying methods. Infants generate phlegm due to the greasiness of breast milk. Externally, symptoms include excessive nasal discharge, tears, and mucus. Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) is the general formula for treating phlegm. It can be combined with Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Suzi (Perillae Fructus), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus), and Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum). One may also add Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) to disperse congealed phlegm, which is a beneficial approach for preserving the health of infants.

The Lung prefers moisture, but distinctions must be made within moistening strategies. For instance, Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) and Suzi (Perillae Fructus) are warm and moistening, suitable for winter and spring. Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) and Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus) are dispersing and moistening, suitable for summer. Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) and Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus) are clearing and moistening, suitable for autumn dryness. Understanding these boundaries ensures that medication is not mixed indiscriminately.

Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus) alone can induce vomiting and cause loose stools; there is no rationale for using it in infants. It may only be used in children who have started eating grain, where dry-fire damages the Lung, resulting in persistent chronic cough.

Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) has mild toxicity. When processed with ginger juice and aged, its nature becomes neutral, allowing it to be included in Junzi Tang (Gentleman's Decoction). Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma) is toxic and fierce, truly not a good medicine. Although its toxicity can be mitigated by the bitter-cold property of ox gall, it might be used in small doses for long-standing, stubbornly adherent phlegm, but there is no rationale for using it in epidemic colds. Zhu Li (Bambusa Textilis Sap) and Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Juice) have moistening and descending properties; Hai Shi (Pumex) is salty and softens hardness. These are not substances to be lightly tried for wind-phlegm.

Medical texts state that silkworms and horses both belong to the Fire of Wu (Noon), corresponding to the Li trigram in the Bagua, governing the Heart. It is also said that silkworms eat but do not drink, possessing a dry nature; they rot when wet and stiffen when exposed to wind. Therefore, they can disperse wind and resolve phlegm, belonging to acrid-warm herbs, suitable for wind-cold closure, but not for phlegm-heat accumulation. The Lung is the vessel storing phlegm; only the method of opening and lifting serves to resolve and transform it. Secular phlegm-resolving pills merely damage Stomach Qi. As for Wang Yinjun's Mengshi Gun Tan Wan (Lapis Auripigmenti Rolling Phlegm Pill), it was designed for treating stubborn phlegm and strange syndromes, having no relevance to pediatric diseases.

Wind-phlegm with milk stagnation in infants is a mild condition. If the disease is not addressed through dispersing and resolving, but instead treated with pills and powders, many infants die. I have witnessed this with my own eyes and feel heartbroken, hence my earnest admonition.

On the Errors of Guangdong Wax Pills and Homemade Medicinal Powders Sent by Others

Medicines for treating diseases require flexibility according to the moment; they are not relied upon for tonic supplementation via pills. For epidemic wind-phlegm obstruction, one should use medications adapted to the situation. Even self-made pills and powders should not be taken, let alone Guangdong wax pills. Wax pills are manufactured in Guangdong, containing musk and cinnamon, and are sold for profit. Countless ignorant people in various regions have suffered harm from taking them mistakenly. What is the mindset of physicians who persistently follow such errors? Confucius said, "If one does not understand, one dares not taste." I have told those delivering medicine that they must attach a prescription, so that the user takes it with peace of mind and no doubt. If delivered medicine comes without a prescription, and ignorant people seek treatment blindly, would discerning individuals dare to take it?

De notes: The *Suwen* (Basic Questions) chapter on "Different Methods Suitable for Different Regions" states that people in the West fall ill, and their treatment is suitable for "toxic drugs." This indicates that foreign liquid medicines, pills, and powders are mostly acrid, fierce, toxic, sour, astringent, and possess contracting properties. If Chinese people contract external wind-cold, wind-heat, summerheat, or dampness, they must not lightly test their bodies against them. However, those who advocate Western methods are ultimately difficult to reason with.