Library

Treats emaciation, shortness of breath, heat from deficiency with coughing, lung atrophy (Fei Wei) with loss of voice, frequent expectoration of phlegm and saliva, and all diseases caused by deficiency and damage of the Lung Metal.

Raw Huangqi (3 qian) Raw Dihuang (5 qian) Zhi Mu (3 qian) Fen Gancao (3 qian) Xuanshen (3 qian) Shashen (3 qian)
Chuan Beimu (2 qian, heart removed) Niubangzi (3 qian, stir-fried and crushed)

A female patient, aged forty, suffered from heat in the upper jiao, coughing with loss of voice, and her expectorated sputum had a fishy odor. Her body gradually became emaciated, and her pulse was wiry and forceful. She took medicines for clearing fire and moistening the lungs, but after several doses there was no effect. Therefore, this decoction was prepared for her. In the large group of medicines for clearing fire and moistening the lungs, one dose of Raw Huangqi was added to assist Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi). After several doses, the condition improved; after more than ten doses, the disease was completely cured.

Someone asked: Since the pulse is forceful, why use qi-tonifying medicine again? The answer is: The "forcefulness" of the pulse can be either real or false. A truly forceful pulse should be seen within a solid, substantial, and gentle quality; this indicates robust Spleen-Stomach Qi that can encompass all other zang-fu organs (The Spleen and Stomach belong to Earth and can encompass the organs of Metal, Wood, Water, and Fire). Other types, such as a pulse that is surging and forceful, are mostly due to excess heat from external contraction. If it is slippery and forceful, it is mostly due to hot-phlegm in the middle jiao. If it is wiry and forceful, it is mostly due to hyperactivity of the Liver channel, which is particularly a pathological pulse, as in this case. Since the Lung belongs to Metal and the Liver to Wood, when Lung Metal is diseased and cannot control Liver Wood, the pulse presents as wiry and forceful. This is a sign of Liver Wood acting recklessly and counter-attacking Lung Metal. In diseases such as lung atrophy (Fei Wei) and lung abscess (Fei Yong), pain under the hypochondrium is common, also caused by the hyperactivity of Liver Wood.

Another male patient, over thirty years old, had chronic phlegm-fire stagnation in the lungs, compounded by external constraints. He suffered from frequent coughing and expectorated sputum with a fishy odor. Fearing the development of lung abscess (Fei Yong), he sought medical treatment. His pulse was floating and forceful, with a slippery quality anterior to the guan position. Initially, Yuespi Tang (Yue Bi Decoction) was used to resolve the external contraction; the cough improved, but the sputum remained fishy-smelling. Subsequently, Tingli Dazao Tang (Descurainia Seed and Jujube Decoction) was used to drain the obstructive phlegm in the lungs, administered every other day. Additionally, Sanqi, Chuan Beimu, Fen Gancao, and Yinhua were ground into a powder, taken with small amounts of decoction made from fresh Digupi, three times daily. On days when Tingli Dazao Tang was administered, the powder was also taken once. After several days of such regulation, having used Tingli Dazao Tang three times, the phlegm and saliva decreased significantly and lost its fishy odor. Finally, Qingjin Yiqi Tang (Clear Metal and Boost Qi Decoction) was used, with additional Bei Mu and Niubangzi (1 qian each), taken continuously for over ten doses to consolidate the recovery.