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Wheezing (Chuan) is characterized by rapid, shortness of breath. *Zhengzhuan* states: "Xiao" (wheezing with sound) is named for its sound, while "Chuan" (wheezing without sound) is named for its breathing pattern. Hejian (Liu Wansu) stated: In cold syndromes, Qi declines and respiration is faint; in heat syndromes, Qi is excessive and respiration is coarse. Diseases of all meridians can cause wheezing, but those of the Lung and Stomach meridians are most common. Generally, wheezing accompanied by cough indicates a pathology in the Lung; wheezing accompanied by vomiting and nausea indicates a pathology in the Stomach. The *Neijing* discusses wheezing in various contexts, mostly as part of miscellaneous diseases. Regarding the *Shanghan Lun*, wheezing occurs only when pathogenic factors are in the exterior causing wheezing, when pathogenic factors are in the interior causing wheezing, or due to fluid retention, phlegm-fire causing wheezing. If the pathogen is in the exterior, with no abdominal fullness or pain, floating pulse, and absence of sweating, diaphoresis (releasing the exterior through sweating) is appropriate. In winter in the northwest, Mahuang San'ao Tang (Ephedra Three Unrestrained Decoction) is used; if there is internal heat, Yeshibi Tang (Yi Yi Decoction) is used; in the three seasons of the south, Qianghuo Tang (Notopterygium Decoction) is used. If heat pathogens have entered the interior causing wheezing, with abdominal distension and fullness, no external chills or fever, and frequent sweating of the hands and feet, the treatment method should employ Qingre Xiexin Tang (Clear Heat Drain Heart Decoction) or Liangge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder); if there are both exterior pathogens and indications for purgation, Daxiehu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) is used; if there are only indications for purgation without exterior signs, one of the San Yi Chengqi Tangs (Three Types of Chengqi Decoctions) is selected; if wheezing is due to fluid retention, preceded by thirst followed by vomiting, with audible fluid sounds upon movement, it is appropriate to dispel fluid retention using Xiaobanxia Tang (Minor Pinellia Decoction); if wheezing is caused by cold-fluid attacking the Lung and wind-cold binding the exterior, Xiaoqinglong Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction) is used; if wheezing is due to phlegm-fire, intermittent, with slippery and rapid pulses throughout, Zhilian Erchen Tang (Gardenia and Coptis Two-Chen Decoction) is used, plus Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), and Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings). In summary, headache and body ache, aversion to cold and fever with wheezing indicate Wind-Cold exterior pathogens of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian, requiring dispersal of the exterior. Fever, profuse sweating, irritability, wheezing, thirst, and verbose speech when quiet indicate Summer-Heat heat-induced wheezing, requiring Qing Shu Tang (Clear Summer-Heat Decoction) adjusted with Yiyuan San (Benefit Origin Powder). Thirst, fever, red face, profuse sweating, cracked lips, wheezing, cough, and rebellious Qi indicate Dryness-Fire wheezing, requiring Qingzao Tang (Clear Dryness Decoction), Zhimu Shigao Tang (Anemarrhena and Gypsum Decoction), or Gualougen Tang (Trichosanthes Root Decoction). Food stagnation in the middle Jiao, chest fullness and oppression, wheezing and fullness preventing sleep, is treated with Pingwei Baohe San (Calm Stomach and Harmonize Powder). If wheezing is accompanied by cough, this is Lung-Wind or Lung-Heat wheezing, detailed in the Cough section.

Taiyang disease, with headache, fever, body ache, lower back pain, aversion to wind and cold, absence of sweating, and wheezing, is primarily treated with Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction).
This is wheezing due to Taiyang exterior pathogens, detailed in the Headache and Fever section.

Concurrent Taiyang and Yangming disease, with wheezing and chest fullness, should not be treated with purgation; Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is primarily used.
Chest fullness often accompanies exterior signs, hence purgation is contraindicated; dispersing the exterior is appropriate. Refer to the Chest Fullness section.

If Shanghan (Cold Damage) is unresolved, with fluid retention in the epigastrium, dry retching, fever, and cough, or wheezing, Xiaoqinglong Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction) is used.
Detailed in the Cough section. This implies that when external pathogens are unresolved and internal fluid retention exists, both the exterior should be dispersed and fluid retained internally should be transformed.

In Shanghan, with fluid retention in the epigastrium, cough with slight wheezing, fever without thirst, if after taking medicine the patient feels thirsty, this indicates the cold has gone and the disease is about to resolve; [the original formula was] Xiaoqinglong Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction).
Fever without thirst indicates fluid retention in the epigastrium, hence Xiaoqinglong Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction) is used. Now, if thirst appears after taking this decoction, it means the cold-fluid has been eliminated and the disease is resolving; there is no need to continue taking Xiaoqinglong Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction). Detailed in the Cough section.

For patients with a history of wheezing who present with sweating, Guizhi Tang Houpo Xingren Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Magnolia Bark and Apricot Kernel) is primarily used.
Taiyang wind damaging the Wei (Defensive) level requires Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). Now, with concurrent wheezing, Houpo (Magnolia Bark) is added to regulate Stomach Qi, and Xingren (Apricot Kernel) to regulate Lung Qi.

In Taiyang disease, if mild wheezing occurs after erroneous purgation, it is because the exterior pathogen remains unresolved; Guizhi Tang Houpo Xingren Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Magnolia Bark and Apricot Kernel) is primarily used. For patients with a history of wheezing, adding Houpo (Magnolia Bark) and Xingren (Apricot Kernel) to Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is optimal.
Erroneous purgation in Taiyang disease leaves the exterior pathogen unresolved, causing wheezing. When using Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), herbs that calm the Lung and Stomach should be added; hence, for patients with a history of wheezing, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) with Houpo (Magnolia Bark) and Xingren (Apricot Kernel) is best.

After diaphoresis, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) should not be administered again. If there is sweating and wheezing without significant heat, Mahuang Xingren Gancao Shigao Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction) may be used. After diaphoresis, excessive water intake will inevitably cause wheezing; bathing with cold water also causes wheezing. After purgation, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) should not be administered again. If there is sweating and wheezing without significant heat, Mahuang Xingren Gancao Shigao Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction) may be used.
The first half states that after diaphoresis, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) should not be used again; the second half states that after purgation, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) should not be used again. Although diaphoresis and purgation differ, both result in residual exterior pathogens, presenting with sweating, wheezing, and lack of significant heat; thus, this formula simultaneously resolves the Taiyang (Greater Yang) pathogen. This derives from the method of using Guizhi Wuling San (Cinnamon Twig and Five-Ingredient Poria Pill) to simultaneously resolve the exterior and interior of the Lower Jiao for heat binding in the Bladder, evolving into a method to simultaneously resolve heat binding in the Upper Jiao of the Taiyang (Greater Yang). Refer to the Spontaneous Sweating section for details.

In Taiyang disease, if the Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) syndrome is present but the physician erroneously uses purgation, leading to persistent diarrhea, a rapid pulse indicating the exterior is unresolved, and wheezing with sweating, Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang (Kudzu, Coptis, and Scutellaria Decoction) is primarily used.
This clause describes an erroneous purgation of Taiyang disease resulting not in Chest Binding (Jie Xiong) but in diarrhea with attached heat, presenting as wheezing and sweating. Detailed in the Spontaneous Sweating section.

Yangming Wind Strike. Bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, abdominal fullness, slight wheezing, fever, aversion to cold, floating and tight pulse. If purgation is used, abdominal fullness and difficulty urinating will occur; [if the pulse remains floating and tight indicating exterior pathogen], Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is primarily used.
Fever, aversion to cold, floating and tight pulse still indicate Taiyang (Greater Yang) exterior pathogens. If erroneously purged, it leads to abdominal fullness and difficulty urinating. The phrase "Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is primarily used" follows "floating and tight pulse."

In Yangming disease, if the pulse is floating, there is no sweating, and wheezing occurs, diaphoresis will lead to recovery; Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is appropriate.
Floating pulse, no sweating, and wheezing indicate treatment should follow Taiyang (Greater Yang) exterior pathogens; one should not rigidly adhere to Yangming disease diagnosis. Hence, it is said that diaphoresis leads to recovery.

In Yangming disease, if the pulse is floating and tight, with dry throat, bitter taste, abdominal fullness, wheezing, fever, sweating, aversion to heat rather than cold, and heaviness of the body, Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) and Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Pill) are used.
The previous clause stated that floating and tight pulse requires dispersing the exterior; this clause states that dry throat, bitter taste, abdominal fullness, fever, sweating, aversion to heat rather than cold require Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) for the dry throat, and Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Pill) for the floating/tight pulse, abdominal fullness, and body heaviness.

In Shanghan (Cold Damage) on the fourth or fifth day, if the pulse is deep with wheezing and fullness, deep pulse indicates interior location. Erroneously inducing sweating depletes body fluids, making defecation difficult. Exterior and interior deficiency and excess become mixed; prolonged duration leads to delirium.
Deep pulse with wheezing indicates clearing interior heat is appropriate. Erroneous sweating causes fluid loss. Dry and stagnant stool indicates no exterior pathogen but interior heat, hence delirium occurs over time.

If the patient has difficulty urinating, alternating hard and soft stools, occasional slight fever, wheezing, dizziness, and inability to lie down, there is dried feces (Zao Shi); Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) is appropriate.
Zhongjing usually uses free urination to verify hardened stool. Now, difficulty urination is used to determine the need for purgation. Free urination verifies hardened stool, so purgation is possible. Difficulty urination verifies heat entering the interior, so purgation is possible. Alternating hard and soft stools is a sign of fire in the Large Intestine, so purgation is possible. Occasional slight fever is synonymous with tidal fever, so purgation is possible. Wheezing, dizziness, and inability to lie down indicate Yangming Stomach excess, so purgation is possible.

After emesis and purgation in Shanghan (Cold Damage), if there is constipation and tidal fever, and the condition worsens to include inability to recognize people, picking at bedclothes, slight wheezing, fixed gaze, a wiry pulse indicates survival, while a choppy pulse indicates death.
In critical conditions, life and death are determined by the pulse. A wiry pulse indicates Yin has not perished, hence survival; a choppy pulse indicates Yin is exhausted, hence death.

Qianghuo Tang (Notopterygium Decoction) See Aversion to Cold.
Qianghuo Chonghe Tang (Notopterygium Harmony Decoction)
For pure Taiyang (Greater Yang) exterior pathogens presenting with wheezing, use the former formula (Qianghuo Tang); if there are exterior pathogens combined with interior heat, use this formula (Qianghuo Chonghe Tang).

Xiexin Tang (Drain Heart Decoction) See Delirium.
Liangge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder) See Mania.
Interior heat causing wheezing should be treated according to the Lung, Stomach, and Heart meridians. The former formula (Xiexin Tang) clears heat in the epigastrium; this formula (Liangge San) treats both Lung and Stomach.

Daxiehu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) See Tidal Fever.
San Chengqi Tangs (Three Chengqi Decoctions) See Constipation.

Xiaobanxia Tang (Minor Pinellia Decoction)
Prepared Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome) Guangpi (Tangerine Peel) Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger)
Wheezing and rebellious Qi are divided into Phlegm-Fire and Fluid Retention. This formula treats wheezing and rebellious Qi due to fluid retention without fire.

Xiaoqinglong Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction) See Rebellious Cough.
This formula treats wheezing due to internally retained fluid retention and externally contracted wind-cold. Detailed in the Rebellious Cough section.

Zhilian Erchen Tang (Gardenia and Coptis Two-Chen Decoction)
Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit) Chuanlian (Coptis Rhizome) Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome) Guangpi (Tangerine Peel) Baifuling (White Poria) Gancao (Licorice Root)
The previous Xiaobanxia Tang (Minor Pinellia Decoction) treats phlegm without fire; this formula treats phlegm with fire.

Qingshu Tang (Clear Summer-Heat Decoction)
Chuanlian (Coptis Rhizome) Xiangru (Mosla Herb) Nongpu (Magnolia Bark) Gancao (Licorice Root)
Xiangru (Mosla Herb) is warm in nature. It is commonly believed to clear summer-heat, but unknown is that when used together with Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), one is cold and one is warm, thus clearing summer-heat pathogens. For example, when taking Liuyi San (Six-to-One Powder), it must be taken with boiling water to disperse summer-heat pathogens and open the pores.

Qingzao Tang (Clear Dryness Decoction)
Sangye (Mulberry Leaf) Shigao (Gypsum) Renshen (Ginseng Root) Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber) Pipaye (Loquat Leaf) Xingren (Apricot Kernel) Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes Root)
This formula uses Shigao (Gypsum), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), and Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes Root) to clear and moisten the Upper Jiao; Sangye (Mulberry Leaf) and Xingren (Apricot Kernel) guide the action into the Lung; Renshen (Ginseng Root), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), and Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) moisten the Lung and generate fluids. While treating heat, damp-heat is treated with bitter-drying methods; dryness-heat is treated with cool-moistening methods. Dryness and dampness are divided into two categories. However, at Spring Equinox, dampness is expected but absent until Grain Rain; at Autumn Equinox, dryness is expected but absent until Frost Descent. Thus, it is said frost brings dryness and rain brings dampness, referring to the correct seasonal timing. There are cases where damp times are dry and dry times are damp, requiring flexible treatment.

Zhimu Shigao Tang (Anemarrhena and Gypsum Decoction)
Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) Shigao (Gypsum) Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome) Zhuye (Bamboo Leaf) Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber) Gancao (Licorice Root)
For fire-wheezing without phlegm, use Shigao (Gypsum) and Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome); for fire-wheezing with phlegm, add Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome). Shigao (Gypsum) is cold and cooling; combined with Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome), it can acridly dissipate phlegm-saliva. Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome) is acrid and warm; combined with Shigao (Gypsum), it can clear heat and harmonize the Stomach. This is a method derived from moistening formulas to acridly dissipate phlegm-saliva and stop wheezing, also applicable to treating phlegm-fire vomiting and phlegm-fire cough.

Gualougen Tang (Trichosanthes Root Decoction)
Gualougen (Trichosanthes Root) Banxia (Pinellia Rhizome) Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings) Zhike (Aurantium Fruit) Jiegeng (Platycodon Root)
The previous Qingzao Tang (Clear Dryness Decoction) treats Lung-dryness wheezing; Zhimu Shigao Tang (Anemarrhena and Gypsum Decoction) treats Stomach-heat wheezing; Gualougen Tang (Trichosanthes Root Decoction) treats wheezing and rebellious Qi due to excessive phlegm in the Lung and Stomach meridians.

Pingwei Baohe San (Calm Stomach and Harmonize Powder) See Chest Fullness.
This treats food stagnation in the Middle Jiao causing wheezing, fullness, and inability to lie down, taken with Zhike Tang (Aurantium Decoction).

Mahuang Xingren Gancao Shigao Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction) Four ingredients.
This formula is used after diaphoresis or purgation when there is sweating and wheezing without significant heat. Since exterior signs have diminished and Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is contraindicated, Mahuang (Ephedra) is added to Xingren (Apricot Kernel) and Shigao (Gypsum) to clear the Lung, simultaneously resolving residual pathogens in the Upper Jiao to treat wheezing and rebellious Qi.

Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang (Kudzu, Coptis, and Scutellaria Decoction) Three ingredients.
Zhongjing has three clauses regarding wheezing with sweating. First, after Taiyang diaphoresis, wheezing with sweating and no significant heat; second, after Taiyang purgation, wheezing with sweating and no significant heat. Diaphoresis and purgation differ, but both prohibit Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and use Mahuang Xingren Gancao Shigao Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction). Third, in Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) syndrome, erroneous purgation with Chengqi Tang leads to persistent diarrhea, rapid pulse, unresolved exterior, wheezing, and sweating; here, Gegen (Kudzu Root), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), and Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) are primarily used. Comparing the first and second clauses, although diaphoresis and purgation differ, the pathology is in the Upper Jiao of Taiyang (Greater Yang), hence the same formula is used. Comparing the second and third clauses, both are post-purgation with wheezing and sweating, yet the formulas differ because the pathology is in the Lower Jiao of Yangming, with heat-attached diarrhea, hence Gegen Huangqin Huanglian Tang (Kudzu, Coptis, and Scutellaria Decoction) is used.