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Dai Yuanli posited that asthma (Chuan Zheng) manifests in various forms: there is Phlegm Asthma, Qi Asthma, Stomach Qi Deficiency Asthma, and Flaming Fire Ascending Asthma.

Phlegm Asthma is characterized by wheezing accompanied by the sound of phlegm;
Qi Asthma presents with rapid breathing but without phlegm sounds;
Stomach Qi Deficiency Asthma involves heaving shoulders and pulling the neck in continuous panting;
Flaming Fire Ascending Asthma features intermittent severity, where symptoms alleviate after eating but worsen shortly thereafter.

Generally, this occurs because there is Excess Fire in the stomach and thick phlegm above the diaphragm. When food is swallowed and descends, it drags the thick phlegm down, causing the asthma to cease temporarily. However, once the food enters the stomach and fuels the fire, the phlegm rises again, causing the asthma to flare up severely. It must not be treated as Stomach Deficiency using drying and hot herbs, for this would be akin to adding fire to fire.

For children suffering from asthma, if the pulse is slippery and the hands and feet are warm, the prognosis is good (survival); if the pulse is choppy and the hands and feet are cold, the prognosis is poor (death).

1. For cases caused by contracting Wind-Cold, resulting in nasal congestion, heavy voice, cough, and urgent asthma, San'ao Tang (Three Unrestrained Decoction), Huagai San (Canopy Powder), or Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) are appropriate.
2. For Phlegm Asthma with phlegm sounds in the throat, Qianmin Tang (Thousand Strings Decoction), Banxia Tang (Pinellia Decoction), or Yi Tan Tang (Suppress Phlegm Decoction) are appropriate.
3. For Qi Asthma due to unclear Lung Qi, presenting with rapid breathing and audible sounds, Suzi Jiangqi Tang (Perilla Seed Descending Qi Decoction) is appropriate.
4. For Stomach Qi Deficiency Asthma, Renshen Baofei Tang (Ginseng Protecting Lung Decoction) is appropriate.
5. For asthma caused by Flaming Fire Ascending, Xiebai San (Drain White Powder) is appropriate.
6. For elderly patients with chronic Phlegm Asthma that recurs upon changes in cold and warmth, continuing endlessly, Suchen Jiushi Yin (Perilla and Atractylodes Nine Solidity Drink) or Xingsu San (Apricot Kernel and Perilla Powder) are appropriate.
7. For individuals with robust constitution exhibiting Phlegm Asthma with Heat, Qishen Dingchuan Tang (Seven Spirits Calming Asthma Decoction) is appropriate.

Treatment for Phlegm Asthma with audible sounds and a deep pulse:
Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) (3 qian), Fuling (Poria) (1.5 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (0.3 qian), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) (2 qian), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) (0.3 qian), Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex) (1 qian).
Add two zhong of water and three slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), decoct and take orally.

Treatment for Phlegm Asthma preventing lying flat:
Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) (2 qian), Zaojiao (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina) (1 cun), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (0.4 qian).
Add two zhong of water and three slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), decoct and take orally.

Treatment for Phlegm Asthma:
Zisuzi (Perillae Fructus), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Sangpi (Mori Cortex), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Dafupi (Aurantii Macrocarpae Pericarpium), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix).
Add two zhong of water, three slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and one Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), decoct until 8 fen remains, and take well after meals.

Treatment for Asthma and Distension caused by Worry and Overthinking injuring the Spleen and Lung:
Zisuzi (Perillae Fructus), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Dafupi (Aurantii Macrocarpae Pericarpium), Mutong (Akebiae Caulis), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Caoguo (Tsaoko Fructus), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma).
Add two zhong of water and three slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), decoct and take orally.