此症似喘而实非喘也，若作实喘治之，则立死矣。盖气短乃肾气虚耗，气冲于上焦，壅塞于肺经，症似有余而
实为不足也。方用∶
人参（二两） 麦冬（五钱） 五味子（二钱） 牛膝（三钱） 熟地（一两） 山萸（三钱） 破故纸（三钱）
枸杞（三钱） 胡桃肉（三个）
水煎服。
三剂气平而喘定矣。此方妙在用人参之多，能下达气原，挽回于无何有之乡。其余纯是补肺、补肾之品，子母
相求，水气自旺，则火气自安于故宅，不上冲于咽门，此治气短之妙法也。
凡实喘之症，气大急，喉中必作声，肩必抬起，此症若重而实轻也。方用∶
黄芩（二钱） 麦冬（三钱） 柴胡（一钱） 苏叶（一钱） 乌药（一钱） 半夏（一钱） 山豆根（一钱） 甘
草（五分）
水煎服。
一剂喘定，不必再剂也。
此症气少息而喉无声，肩不抬也。此乃肾气大虚，脾
气又复将绝，故奔冲而上，欲绝未绝也。方用救绝止喘汤∶
人参（一两） 熟地（一两） 山萸（三钱） 牛膝（一钱） 麦冬（五钱） 五味子（一钱） 白芥子（一钱）
水煎服。
人忽感风邪，寒入于肺，以致喘急、肩抬气逆，痰吐不出，身不能卧，方用∶
柴胡（二钱） 茯苓（二钱） 麦冬（二钱） 桔梗（二钱） 当归（二钱） 黄芩（一钱） 射干（一钱） 半
夏（一钱） 甘草（一钱）
水煎服。
此方妙在用柴胡、射干、桔梗，以发舒肺金之气，用半夏以去痰，用黄芩以去火。但外感寒邪，内必变为热症，故
用黄芩以清解之。然徒用黄芩，虽曰清火，转足以抑遏其火气，而火未必伏也。有柴胡、射干、桔梗一派辛散之品，则
足以消火灭邪矣。
This condition resembles panting but is not truly panting. If treated as excess panting, death will occur immediately. This is because shortness of breath (Qi deficiency) results from the depletion of Kidney Qi, causing Qi to rush upward to the Upper Jiao and obstruct the Lung Meridian. The symptoms appear as excess, but are actually deficiency. The prescription is:
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 2 liang), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber, 5 qian), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus, 2 qian), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 3 qian), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 1 liang), Shan Yu Rou (Corni Fructus, 3 qian), Po Gu Zhi (Psoraleae Fructus, 3 qian), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus, 3 qian), Hu Tao Ren (Juglandis Semen, 3 pieces).
Decoct in water and take orally.
After three doses, the breath becomes calm and panting subsides. The brilliance of this formula lies in the heavy use of Ren Shen, which can descend to the source of Qi and rescue life from non-existence. The remaining herbs are purely for tonifying the Lung and Kidney. Through the mutual generation of mother and child (Kidney Water generates Lung Metal), Water Qi naturally flourishes, thereby calming Fire Qi so it remains in its original residence and does not rush up to the throat. This is a subtle method for treating shortness of breath.
In cases of true excess panting, breathing is extremely rapid, there must be sound in the throat, and the shoulders must rise. This condition, though appearing severe, is actually mild. The prescription is:
Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, 2 qian), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber, 3 qian), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 1 qian), Su Ye (Perillae Folium, 1 qian), Wu Yao (Linderae Radix, 1 qian), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tuber, 1 qian), Shan Dou Gen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix, 1 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 5 fen).
Decoct in water and take orally.
After one dose, panting stops; no further doses are needed.
In this condition, breath is scanty, there is no sound in the throat, and the shoulders do not rise. This is due to extreme deficiency of Kidney Qi and the impending exhaustion of Spleen Qi, causing Qi to surge upward, on the verge of collapse yet not fully collapsed. The prescription is Jue Jue Zhi Chuan Tang (Rescue Collapse and Stop Panting Decoction):
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 1 liang), Shan Yu Rou (Corni Fructus, 3 qian), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 1 qian), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber, 5 qian), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus, 1 qian), Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen, 1 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally.
When a person suddenly contracts Wind-Cold pathogen, with Cold entering the Lungs, it leads to urgent panting, raised shoulders, rebellious Qi, inability to expectorate phlegm, and inability to lie down. The prescription is:
Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 2 qian), Fu Ling (Poria, 2 qian), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber, 2 qian), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix, 2 qian), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 2 qian), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix, 1 qian), She Gan (Belamcandae Rhizoma, 1 qian), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tuber, 1 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally.
The brilliance of this formula lies in using Chai Hu, She Gan, and Jie Geng to diffuse and soothe the Qi of Metal (Lung), using Ban Xia to eliminate phlegm, and using Huang Qin to clear heat. However, external Cold pathogens inevitably transform into Heat syndromes internally, hence Huang Qin is used to clear and resolve them. Yet, using only Huang Qin, although said to clear fire, may inadvertently suppress and constrain the Fire Qi, preventing it from subduing. With the presence of Chai Hu, She Gan, and Jie Geng—a group of acrid and dispersing herbs—there is sufficient power to dissipate the fire and eliminate the pathogenic factor.