《病源论》云∶短气者，平人无寒热，短气不足以息者，体实也。实则气盛，盛则气逆
不通
《僧深方》治短气欲绝、不足以息、烦扰，益气止烦竹根汤方∶
竹根（一斤） 麦门冬（一升） 甘草（二两） 大枣（十枚） 粳米（一升） 小麦
（一升）凡六物，水一斗，煮麦米熟去之，纳药，煮取二升七合，服八合，日三，不能饮，
以绵滴口
《医门方》治胸中痞塞、短气 者，或腹急痛方∶
茯苓（四两） 甘草（二两） 半夏（三两） 生姜（三两） 杏仁（百颗）
水七升，煮取二升半，去滓，分温三服，服相去八九里，泄气瘥。若气不下，加大黄、
槟榔
《千金方》治短气不得语方∶
栀子（二七枚） 豉（七合）
水二升，煮豉，取一升半，去豉，纳栀子，煮取八合，服半升。
又云∶卒短气者方∶捣韭取汁，服一升，立愈。
又云∶冷气气短方∶椒五两，绢袋盛，酒一升，渍三七日，服之任性。
《病源论》云∶少气者，此由脏气不足故也。肺主气而通呼吸，脏气不足，呼吸微弱而
少气
《广济方》疗腹冷气不能食及少气调中丸方∶
人参（五两） 茯苓（五两） 甘草（五两） 白术（五两） 干姜（四两）
捣筛，蜜和为丸，空腹温酒服如梧子三十丸，日二夜一，有益尽更合，不饮酒，煮大枣
饮下，
《千金方》治乏气方∶
枸杞叶（二两） 生姜（二两）
以水三升，煮取一升，顿服。
《葛氏方》治卒乏气、气不复报、肩息方∶干姜三升， 咀，以酒一升渍之，服一升，
日三
又方∶度手拇指折度心下，灸三壮即瘥。
又方∶麻黄三两，先以水五升，煮一沸，去沫，乃纳甘草二两，杏仁六十枚，煮取二升
半，
The *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Manifestations of All Diseases) states: Shortness of breath refers to a condition in ordinary people who have no chills or fever, yet experience shortness of breath with insufficient respiration. This indicates a constitution of excess. Excess conditions involve vigorous Qi; when Qi is vigorous, it may become rebellious and obstructed.
The *Seng Shen Fang* (Prescriptions by Monk Shen) treats severe shortness of breath approaching cessation, insufficient respiration, and restlessness with the Bamboo Root Decoction (Zhugen Tang):
Bamboo Root (1 jin), Ophiopogon Tuber (Ophiopogonis Radix, 1 sheng), Licorice Root (Gancao, 2 liang), Jujube (Dazao, 10 pieces), Coix Seed (Jingmi, 1 sheng), Wheat (Xiaomai, 1 sheng). These six ingredients are boiled in 1 dou of water. First, boil the wheat and coix seed until cooked, then remove them. Add the remaining herbs and boil to obtain 2.7 sheng of decoction. Take 0.8 sheng per dose, three times daily. If the patient cannot drink, dip cotton wool in the decoction and drip it into the mouth.
The *Yimen Fang* (Medical Gate Prescriptions) treats chest oppression and blockage, shortness of breath, or abdominal urgency and pain:
Poria (Fuling, 4 liang), Licorice Root (Gancao, 2 liang), Pinellia Tuber (Banxia, 3 liang), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang, 3 liang), Apricot Seed (Xingren, 100 pieces).
Boil in 7 sheng of water to obtain 2.5 sheng of decoction. Strain the dregs and divide into three warm doses. The interval between doses should be approximately the time it takes to walk for eight or nine li. When Qi flows freely, the disease will improve. If Qi does not descend, add Rhubarb (Dahuang) and Areca Seed (Binglang).
The *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) treats shortness of breath accompanied by inability to speak:
Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi, 14 pieces), Prepared Soybean Seed (Chidou, 0.7 sheng).
Boil the prepared soybeans in 2 sheng of water to obtain 1.5 sheng. Remove the beans, add the gardenia fruits, and boil to obtain 0.8 sheng. Take 0.5 sheng per dose.
It also states: For sudden shortness of breath, crush fresh leeks to extract juice and take 1 sheng; recovery is immediate.
For shortness of breath caused by cold Qi: Take 5 liang of Sichuan Pepper (Huajiao), place it in a silk bag, soak it in 1 sheng of wine for 21 days, and consume as desired.
The *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* states: Deficient Qi (Shaoyi) results from insufficiency of Zang-Fu Qi. The Lung governs Qi and controls respiration. When Zang-Fu Qi is deficient, respiration becomes weak, manifesting as deficient Qi.
The *Guangji Fang* (Guangji Prescriptions) treats inability to eat due to cold Qi in the abdomen and deficient Qi with the Regulating the Middle Pill (Tiaozhong Wan):
Ginseng Root (Renshen, 5 liang), Poria (Fuling, 5 liang), Licorice Root (Gancao, 5 liang), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu, 5 liang), Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, 4 liang).
Pulverize and sieve the herbs, mix with honey to form pills. Take 30 pills (size of sophora seeds) with warm wine on an empty stomach, twice daily and once at night. If beneficial, continue preparation. If alcohol is not consumed, swallow with decocted jujube tea.
The *Qianjin Fang* treats lack of vitality/energy (Faqi):
Goji Leaf (Gouqiye, 2 liang), Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang, 2 liang).
Boil in 3 sheng of water to obtain 1 sheng of decoction. Take all at once.
The *Ge Shi Fang* (Prescriptions by Master Ge) treats sudden lack of vitality, inability to replenish Qi, and breathing with shoulder elevation:
Dried Ginger (Ganjiang, 3 sheng), chopped, soaked in 1 sheng of wine. Take 1 sheng per dose, three times daily.
Another prescription: Measure the distance below the heart using the thumb joint, moxa-ignite three moxa cones (zhuang) at this point for cure.
Another prescription: Ephedra Stem (Mahuang, 3 liang). First, boil in 5 sheng of water for one boiling, skim off the foam, then add Licorice Root (Gancao, 2 liang) and Apricot Seed (Xingren, 60 pieces). Boil to obtain 2.5 sheng of decoction,