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Acute asthma is named "Ma Pi Feng" (Horse Spleen Wind), characterized by a high and distended chest, hypochondriac depression resembling pits during respiration, flaring of the nasal alae, and mental restlessness. The formulas Wu Hu Tang (Five Tigers Decoction) and Yi Nian Jin (One Pinch Gold) are most effective.

[Note]
"Ma Pi Feng" derives its name from these symptoms, referring to acute asthma. It occurs when cold pathogenic factors invade the Lung Shu point (BL13), transforming into heat and obstructing the Lung meridian. This results in a high chest, rapid breathing, lung expansion with wheezing and fullness, movement of the two hypochondria causing depressions like pits, flaring of the nasal apertures, and disturbed spirit and qi. Initially, Wu Hu Tang should be taken urgently, followed by Yi Nian Jin to purge accumulation. If the qi mechanism opens, the asthma will cease naturally. However, if infants within one hundred days of birth exhibit this condition, the prognosis is generally poor.

(Wu Hu Tang) Ephedrae Herba processed with honey, Semen Armeniacae Amarum stir-fried and skin/pit removed, Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Gypsum Fibrosum ground into powder, Fine tea. Decoct with fresh ginger water; mix the decoction with gypsum powder immediately before administration.

(Formula Song)
Wu Hu Tang treats Ma Pi Feng,
With honey-processed Ephedra and Apricot Seeds along.
Licorice, Gypsum, and fine tea leaves too,
After decoction and ingestion, asthma loosens anew.

(Yi Nian Jin) See the section on Constipation for the formula.

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Phlegm arises because body fluids fail to distribute properly throughout the body. Excess Yin transforms into fluid retention (Yin), while excess Yang transforms into phlegm (Tan). Thick, sticky, and yellow indicates dryness-heat; clear, thin, and white indicates damp-cold.

[Note]
Phlegm is formed when the body fluids derived from food and drink fail to distribute in all directions, stagnating in the chest. It often results from irregular diet or excessive consumption of rich foods, leading to the spleen and stomach's inability to transport and transform. If one has a constitution of abundant Yin, fluids transform into retention; if one has a constitution of abundant Yang, fluids transform into phlegm. Thick, sticky, yellow, and difficult to expectorate phlegm is called Dry Phlegm (Zao Tan); clear, thin, white, slippery, and easy to expectorate phlegm is called Damp Phlegm (Shi Tan). These two types require different treatments: some need moistening and clearing, while others need promoting drainage and unblocking.

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Category of Phlegm Syndromes

Dry Phlegm, due to Lung dryness, is sticky and difficult to expel, accompanied by rebellious Qi causing asthma and cough, discomfort in lying down, red face, dry mouth, and dark urine. Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear Qi Transform Phlegm Pill) or Gun Tan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill) may be used.

[Note]
Dry Phlegm is caused by fire disturbing the fluids. When fire is excessive, there is much dry and sticky phlegm, rebellious Qi causing asthma and cough, restless sleep at night, red face, dry mouth, and yellow-dark urine. Mild cases are treated with Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan to clear heat and transform phlegm; severe cases are treated with Su Ting Gun Tan Wan to purge phlegm downward.

(Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan) Dan Nan Xing (Arisaematis Cum Bile Rhizoma) processed nine times, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 1 liang 5 qian each, processed with ginger, Ju Hong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) bran-fried, Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) stir-fried and skin/pit removed, Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthis Semen) oil-extracted, Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) wine-fried, Bai Fu Ling (Poria) 1 liang each. Grind into fine powder, form pills with ginger juice, and take dissolved in light ginger soup.

(Su Ting Gun Tan Wan) See the section on Food Stagnation Cough for the formula.

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Category of Phlegm Syndromes