Library

According to *Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun* (Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Manifestations of All Diseases), cough arises when the Lung is affected by cold pathogenic factors; mild cases result in cough. The Lung governs Qi and corresponds to the skin and hair. When pathogens initially invade the body, they first lodge in the skin and hair; therefore, the Lung is affected first. The Zang organs and Fu organs are exterior-interior pairs, all deriving their Qi from the Lung, and following the cycles of the four seasons, all Zang and Fu organs can develop cough. Each suffers disease by contracting cold in its corresponding season, which explains why the manifestations and syndromes of cough vary among different organs.

Cough of the Five Zang Organs: In autumn, the Lung is affected first. The manifestation of Lung cough includes coughing with wheezing and audible sounds; severe cases may involve spitting blood. In summer, the Heart is affected first. The manifestation of Heart cough includes pain in the heart region during coughing, a sensation of obstruction in the throat as if something were stuck; severe cases involve sore throat and throat bi syndrome. In spring, the Liver is affected first. The manifestation of Liver cough includes pain under both hypochondria (or left side) during coughing; severe cases make turning difficult, with fullness under both hypochondria. In late summer, the Spleen is affected first. The manifestation of Spleen cough includes pain under the right hypochondrium radiating to the shoulder and back during coughing; severe cases prevent movement, worsening the cough upon motion. In winter, the Kidney is affected first. The manifestation of Kidney cough includes pulling pain between the waist and back during coughing; severe cases involve coughing with rebellious Qi. These constitute the five types of Zang cough.

If cough of the Zang organs persists for a long time without healing, it transmits to the Fu organs. Persistent Spleen cough transmits to the Stomach; Stomach cough manifests as coughing with vomiting, and severe vomiting may expel roundworms. Persistent Liver cough transmits to the Gallbladder; Gallbladder cough manifests as coughing with vomiting of bile. Persistent Lung cough transmits to the Large Intestine; Large Intestine cough manifests as coughing with fecal incontinence. Persistent Heart cough transmits to the Small Intestine; Small Intestine cough manifests as passing flatus accompanying the cough. Persistent Kidney cough transmits to the Bladder; Bladder cough manifests as urinary incontinence during coughing. If chronic cough persists, it affects the Sanjiao (Triple Burner); Sanjiao cough manifests as coughing with abdominal fullness and loss of appetite. These conditions generally gather at the Stomach and relate to the Lung, causing excessive phlegm and saliva, facial edema, and rebellious Qi.

There are also ten types of cough: First, Wind Cough, where one cannot finish speaking due to interrupting coughs. Second, Cold Cough, caused by drinking cold water or eating cold food, allowing cold to enter the Stomach and rise via the Lung meridian, combining internally and externally to induce cough. Third, Branch Cough, characterized by hardness and fullness below the heart, coughing that pulls pain into the limbs, and a pulse that is unexpectedly slow. Fourth, Liver Cough, where coughing pulls pain into the hypochondrium. Fifth, Heart Cough, where coughing involves spitting blood and pulls along the Hand-Shaoyin meridian. Sixth, Spleen Cough, where coughing produces continuous salivation radiating downward to the lower abdomen. Seventh, Lung Cough, where coughing pulls pain into the neck and throat, producing salivary foam. Eighth, Kidney Cough, where coughing causes deafness and pulls pain into the waist and umbilicus. Ninth, Gallbladder Cough, where coughing pulls pain into the head and causes bitter taste in the mouth. Tenth, Jueyin Cough, where coughing pulls pain into the root of the tongue.

Diagnosis: Palpating the Cun position before the Kou position on the right hand corresponds to the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming. A floating pulse indicates Excess Yang; patients suffer from abdominal fullness and frequent wheezing/coughing. A slightly large pulse indicates Liver Bi, with cough pulling pain into the lower abdomen. A floating and large pulse in cough indicates survival (good prognosis), while a deep, small, and hidden pulse indicates death (poor prognosis). Furthermore, a straight floating pulse indicates survival, while a deep and hard pulse indicates death. Cough accompanied by vomiting, abdominal distension, and diarrhea, with a string-taut pulse nearly imperceptible, indicates death. Cough with emaciation and fever, with a small, hard, and rapid pulse, indicates death. Cough with wasting and thinness, with large and hard collateral pulses, indicates death. Cough with hematuria, emaciation, and a large pulse indicates death. (From Volume 14)

*Duan Ju Fang* (Short Drama Formulas) treats cough with Zi Wan Qi Wei Tang (Seven-Ingredient Aster Decoction).
Aster Root (Zi Wan, *Asteris Radix et Rhizoma*) 3g, Schisandra Fruit (Wu Wei Zi, *Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus*) 6g, Cinnamon Twig Bark (Gui Xin, *Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex*) 12g, Ephedra Stem (Ma Huang, *Ephedrae Herba*) 24g (devoid of nodes), Apricot Seed (Xing Ren, *Armeniacae Semen Amarum*) 70 seeds (devoid of skin, tip, and twin kernels, crushed), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang, *Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens*) 24g, Licorice Root (Gan Cao, *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma*) 12g (roasted).
Cut the above herbs, decoct in 9 sheng of water until reduced to 2.5 sheng, strain, and take 0.7 sheng warm, three times daily. Avoid seaweed, Chinese cabbage, raw scallion, maltose noodles, and greasy/fishy foods. (Same as *Jing Xin Lu* and *Gu Jin Lu Yan*, From Volume 2)

*Yan Nian Fang* (Longevity Formulas) Zi Wan Yin (Aster Drink), main formula for cough.
Aster Root (Zi Wan, *Asteris Radix et Rhizoma*), Fritillaria Bulb (Bei Mu, *Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus*), Poria (Fu Ling, *Poria*), Apricot Seed (Xing Ren, *Armeniacae Semen Amarum*) (devoid of skin, tip, twin kernels), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang, *Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens*) (each 15g), Ginseng Root (Ren Shen, *Panacis Quinquefolii Radix*) 12g, Tangerine Peel (Ju Pi, *Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium*) 6g (devoid of white pith).
Cut the seven ingredients, decoct in 5 sheng of water until reduced to 1.5 sheng, strain, and divide into three warm doses. Administer another dose after the patient walks approximately 3 kilometers. Avoid scallion, garlic, noodles, and vinegar. (Prescription by Zhang Wenzhong, Same as *Gu Jin Lu Yan*, From Volume 5)

*Gu Jin Lu Yan* Tian Men Dong Jian (Asparagus Decoction Paste), formula for treating cough.
Asparagus Root (Tian Men Dong, *Asparagi Radix*) 36g (devoid of heart), Apricot Seed (Xing Ren, *Armeniacae Semen Amarum*) 3 sheng (devoid of twin kernels, skin, tip, crushed), Sichuan Pepper (Jiao, *Zanthoxyli Pericarpium*) 3 sheng (stir-fried until oil appears), Cinnamon Twig Bark (Gui Xin, *Cinnamomi Ramulus Cortex*), Magnolia Bark (Hou Po, *Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex*) (roasted), Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong, *Eucommiae Cortex*), Sophora Root (Ku Shen, *Sophorae Flavescentis Radix*) (each 15g), Prepared Aconite Root (Fu Zi, *Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata*) 36g (prepared), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang, *Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens*) 36g, Prepared Aconite Carpal Root (Wu Tou, *Aconiti Radix*) 2 pieces (prepared), Ginseng Root (Ren Shen, *Panacis Quinquefolii Radix*) 36g, Centipede (Wu Gong, *Scolopendra*) 1 piece (devoid of head and feet, roasted).
Process twelve ingredients separately: crush Apricot Seeds alone; grind the rest together and sieve. Mix with 5 jin of maltose paste and pound 1,000 times. Take a dose the size of a large jujube, three times daily. Avoid cold water, pork, raw scallion, and carp. (From Volume 9)