Library

To treat cough due to heat-phlegm accumulation in the Lung organ, accompanied by a sensation of fullness and obstruction in the chest and diaphragm.
Gualouzi (Trichosanthis Fructus Seed, husked and ground separately) Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, soaked in boiling water seven times, dried, powdered, each 1 liang).
Mix the above ingredients evenly. Use fresh ginger juice to make a paste with flour, form pills the size of Sophora japonica seeds. Take 50 pills per dose, administered after meals with ginger decoction.

To treat chronic cough resulting in loss of voice.
Hezi (Terminalia chebula Fruit, pitted, 1 liang) Xingren (Prunus armeniaca Seed, peeled and de-husked, 1 liang) Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla, 2 qian 5 fen).
Coarsely crush the herbs. Take 4 qian per dose, add 1.5 sheng of water and 5 slices of simmered ginger. Decoct until 0.8 sheng remains, strain, and take warm after meals.

To treat persistent wheezing and cough, or hemoptysis (blood in sputum).
Kuaodonghua (Dendranthemi Flos) Baihe (Lilii Bulbus, steamed and dried).
Grind the above equal parts into fine powder. Form pills using refined honey, sized like longan fruits. Take one pill per dose. Chew thoroughly after meals and before sleep, swallow with ginger decoction; holding it in the mouth for gradual dissolution is even better.

The *Suwen* states: "All Qi disorders belong to the Lung, and all wheezing also belongs to the Lung." Therefore, one inhalation and one exhalation constitute a "breath" (Xi). Between breaths, Spleen Qi receives the Qi, connecting Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), harmonizing with Yin and Yang, circulating throughout the body without excess or deficiency, thereby maintaining equilibrium. If management is improper, injury by the Six Excesses (Liu Yin) or emotional disturbances may occur. Alternatively, trauma from falls or fright, wading through water, stumbling, overeating, or excessive physical exertion can cause disharmony of Zang-Fu Qi, disrupting the normal function of Ying and Wei. This prevents the proper circulation of Yin and Yang required for respiration, leading to forced breathing that pressures the Lung, obstructs free flow, and results in wheezing. Palpating a slippery pulse with warm hands and feet indicates survival; a choppy pulse with cold limbs indicates death, as does a rapid pulse, due to severe depletion of the physical form. Furthermore, postpartum wheezing is particularly critical. Due to excessive blood loss during childbirth, Ying Blood suddenly exhausts, leaving Wei Qi unanchored and gathering solely in the Lung, causing acute wheezing. This is termed "Solitary Yang and Absolute Yin," representing a difficult-to-treat condition. Medical treatment should deduce the causative factors and treat based on detailed differentiation of deficiency/excess and cold/heat. Postpartum wheezing has already been discussed in the chapter on sixteen postpartum conditions, so it is not repeated here. There are also cases of phlegm retention in the stomach region.
Another discussion states: Wheezing refers to rebellious Upper Qi. Cough refers to what ancients called "Ke" (coughing sound). The classics state: "All Qi disorders belong to the Lung." The Lung governs the skin and hair. When pathogens first invade the skin and hair, they follow the interior connections to enter the Lung. Thus, it is clear that wheezing and coughing diseases are closely related to the Lung. However, if chronic cough persists, it transmits to the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, eventually reaching the San Jiao (Triple Burner), marking the extremity of the disease. The previous discussions have thoroughly explored the root causes; here we only outline the general principles and do not repeat them. In clinical practice, one must carefully examine and treat according to the specific syndrome.