必观其色之白与黄而辨之∶黄者，火将退也。白者，火正炽也。正炽者，用寒凉之品，将退者，用祛逐之味。
今一方而俱治，方用∶
白术（三钱） 茯苓（五钱） 陈皮（一钱） 甘草（一钱） 白芥子（三钱） 枳壳（五分）
水煎服。
有火加栀子，无火不必加也。此方健脾去湿，治痰在中焦者也。
又方∶
白术（五钱） 茯苓（五钱） 薏仁（五钱） 陈皮（一钱） 天花粉（二钱） 益智仁（三分） 人参（三分）
水煎服。
有火加黄芩一钱，无火加干姜耶、甘草二分。此方健脾去湿而不耗气，二剂而痰自消也。
久病之痰，切不可作脾湿生痰论之。盖久病不愈，未有不因肾水亏损者也。非肾水泛上为痰，即肾火沸腾为
痰。当补肾以祛逐之，方用∶
熟地（一两） 山萸（五钱） 薏仁（一两） 山药（五钱） 芡实（五钱）
麦冬（五钱） 五味子（三钱） 茯苓（三钱） 车前子（一钱） 益智仁（二钱）
水煎服。
此治水泛为痰之圣药也。若火沸为痰者，加肉桂一钱。此方补肾去湿而化痰，水入肾宫，自变为真精而不化
痰矣。此治下焦有痰之法也。
又方∶
久病之痰，方用六味地黄汤加麦冬、五味子，实有奇功。无火加附子、肉桂可耳。
夫痰之滞，乃气之滞也。苟不补气而惟去其痰，未见痰去而病消也。方用∶
人参（一钱） 白术（二钱） 茯苓（三钱） 陈皮（一钱） 白芥子（一钱） 花粉（一钱） 苏子（八分）
豆蔻（三粒）
水煎服。
〔此方之妙，在于治痰之中而理其气。气顺则痰活，气顺则湿流而痰不生矣。此气治之宜知。〕
One must observe whether the sputum is white or yellow to differentiate it: Yellow indicates that the fire pathogen is about to subside; white indicates that the fire pathogen is currently blazing. For cases where the fire is blazing, cold and cool-natured herbs should be used; for cases where the fire is subsiding, herbs that dispel phlegm should be used.
Now, a single formula is employed to treat both simultaneously. The formula consists of:
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) [3 qian], Fu Ling (Poria) [5 qian], Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) [1 qian], Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [1 qian], Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) [3 qian], Zhi Qiao (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) [5 fen].
Decoct in water and take orally.
If there is fire, add Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus); if there is no fire, do not add it. This formula strengthens the Spleen and eliminates dampness, treating phlegm located in the Middle Jiao.
Another formula:
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) [5 qian], Fu Ling (Poria) [5 qian], Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) [5 qian], Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) [1 qian], Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) [2 qian], Yi Zhi Ren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus) [3 fen], Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) [3 fen].
Decoct in water and take orally.
If there is fire, add Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) [1 qian]; if there is no fire, add Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) [2 fen] and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [2 fen]. This formula strengthens the Spleen and eliminates dampness without consuming Qi. After two doses, the phlegm will naturally dissipate.
Phlegm resulting from chronic illness must not simply be attributed to Spleen deficiency generating dampness and phlegm. Chronic illness that fails to resolve invariably stems from Kidney Yin (Kidney Water) depletion. It is either Kidney Water flooding upward transforming into phlegm, or Kidney Fire boiling upward transforming into phlegm. Treatment should focus on tonifying the Kidney to dispel phlegm. The formula consists of:
Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) [1 liang], Shan Yu Rou (Corni Fructus) [5 qian], Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) [1 liang], Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) [5 qian], Qian Shi (Euryales Semen) [5 qian], Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) [5 qian], Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) [3 qian], Fu Ling (Poria) [3 qian], Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) [1 qian], Yi Zhi Ren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus) [2 qian].
Decoct in water and take orally.
This is a sacred remedy for treating phlegm caused by water flooding. If the phlegm is caused by boiling fire, add Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) [1 qian]. This formula tonifies the Kidney, eliminates dampness, and transforms phlegm. When the water enters the Kidney Palace, it naturally transforms into True Essence rather than becoming phlegm. This is the method for treating phlegm in the Lower Jiao.
Another formula:
For phlegm due to chronic illness, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) added with Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) yields remarkable results. If there is no fire, adding Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) suffices.
The stagnation of phlegm is essentially the stagnation of Qi. If one does not tonify Qi but only attempts to remove phlegm, it is unlikely that the phlegm will disperse while the disease resolves. The formula consists of:
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) [1 qian], Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) [2 qian], Fu Ling (Poria) [3 qian], Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) [1 qian], Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) [1 qian], Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) [1 qian], Su Zi (Perillae Fructus) [8 fen], Dou Kou (Cardamomi Fructus) [3 grains].
Decoct in water and take orally.
[The brilliance of this formula lies in regulating Qi while treating phlegm. When Qi flows smoothly, phlegm becomes active and mobile; when Qi flows smoothly, dampness circulates freely and phlegm ceases to form. This principle of regulating Qi should be understood.]