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Wherever pathogenic factors remain in the chest and diaphragm without resolving, it is termed **Lao Tan** (Old Phlegm). The prescription is as follows:
* *Brassicae Semis Albi* (Baijiezi, White Mustard Seed) - 5 qian
* *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao, White Peony Root) - 3 qian
* *Coicis Semen* (Yiren, Coix Seed) - 5 qian
* *Bupleuri Radix* (Chaihu, Bupleurum Root) - 1 qian
* *Poria* (Fuling, Poria) - 3 qian
* *Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium* (Chenpi, Tangerine Peel) - 3 fen
* *Moutan Cortex* (Danpi, Tree Peony Bark) - 2 qian
* *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao, Licorice Root) - 1 qian
* *Trichosanthis Radix* (Huafen, Trichosanthes Root) - 8 fen
Decoct in water and take orally.
The brilliance of this formula lies in using *Brassicae Semis Albi* as the Sovereign herb, *Coicis Semen* and *Paeoniae Radix Alba* as the Minister herbs, and *Bupleuri Radix* and *Trichosanthis Radix* as the Assistant herbs, leaving no place for Old Phlegm to hide. (It will naturally digest gradually; after ten doses, all Old Phlegm will be eliminated.)

When phlegm condenses into masses and obstructs the throat, it is termed **Wan Tan** (Stubborn Phlegm). The prescription is as follows:
* *Fritillariae Bulbus* (Beimu, Fritillaria Bulb) - 3 qian
* *Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum* (Banxia, Pinellia Tuber) - 3 qian
* *Poria* (Fuling, Poria) - 3 qian
* *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, Atractylodes Rhizome) - 3 qian
* *Medicated Leaven* (Shenqu, Medicated Leaven) - 3 qian
* *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao, Licorice Root) - 1 qian
* *Platycodonis Radix* (Jiegeng, Balloon Flower Root) - 3 qian
* *Alumen* (Baijian, Alum) - 1 qian
* *Asterae Radix et Rhizoma* (Ziwan, Aster Root) - 2 qian
Decoct in water and take orally.
The brilliance of this formula lies in the combined use of *Fritillariae Bulbus* and *Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum*; one dries and one moistens, leaving no refuge for phlegm. Additionally, *Alumen* dissolves the masses, *Platycodonis Radix* and *Asterae Radix* expel pathogens, and *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* harmonizes the middle jiao. Would there not be immediate efficacy?

Water in the Kidney remains calm with Fire, but overflows without Fire. If one engages in excessive sexual activity, Yin essence is depleted, and Minister Fire departs with it. Over time, Kidney Water becomes deficient, and Kidney Fire also becomes weak. With nowhere for Water to reside, it overflows upward to form phlegm. The treatment method is to suppress the rising of Water by first warming the Fire below. Within the context of tonifying Kidney Water, add warming herbs so that Water can control Fire, and Fire can warm Water. Thus, Water and Fire achieve mutual interaction (Ji Ji), and they will not overflow upward to form phlegm. The prescription is as follows:
* *Rehmanniae Radix Preparata* (Shudi, Prepared Rehmannia Root) - 1 liang
* *Corni Fructus* (Shanyuzi, Cornelian Cherry Fruit) - 5 qian
* *Cinnamomi Cortex* (Rougui, Cinnamon Bark) - 2 qian
* *Schisandrae Fructus* (Wuweizi, Schisandra Berry) - 1 qian
* *Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix* (Niuxi, Achyranthes Root) - 3 qian
Decoct in water and take orally.
After one dose, the phlegm descends; after two doses, all phlegm is eliminated.
Another prescription:
For those suffering from chronic phlegm that does not heal, take one pig lung, 5 qian of *Raphani Semen* (Luobozu, Radish Seed), crush them, add 1 liang of *Brassicae Semis Albi*, mix well, steam until cooked in a rice steamer, and consume one whole lung immediately after a meal for a cure. This is extremely effective for treating Upper Jiao phlegm when decoctions fail.