必观其色之白与黄而辨之∶黄者火已退也，白者火正炽也。正炽者用寒凉之品，将退者
用祛
白术（三钱） 白芥子（三钱） 茯苓（五钱） 陈皮（一钱） 甘草（一钱） 枳壳
（五
有火加栀子，无火不必加。此方健脾去湿，治痰之在中焦者也。
又治已病之痰。〔方用〕
白术（五钱） 茯苓（五钱） 薏仁（五钱） 陈皮（一钱） 天花粉（二钱） 益智
仁（三分） 人参
有火加黄芩一钱，无火加干姜一钱、甘草二分。此方健脾去湿而不耗气，二剂而痰自消
也。
久病之痰，切不可作脾湿生痰论之。盖久病不愈，未有不因肾水亏损者也；非肾水泛上
为痰
熟地（五钱） 薏仁（五钱） 芡实（五钱） 山药（三钱） 山萸（三钱） 北五味
（一
此治水泛为痰之圣药也。若火沸为痰，加肉桂一钱，补肾去湿而化痰。水入肾宫，自变
化为
又治久病之痰，方用六味地黄丸，加麦冬、五味子，实有奇功。无火加附子、肉桂可耳。
痰在胸膈而不化者，为老痰也。方宜用∶
白芍（三钱） 茯苓（三钱） 柴胡（一钱） 甘草（一钱） 陈皮（三分） 白芥子
（五
〔此方〕妙在白芥子为君，薏仁、白芍为臣，柴胡、花粉为佐，使老痰无处可藏，用八、
九
One must observe whether the sputum is white or yellow to differentiate: yellow indicates that the fire pathogen has subsided, while white indicates that the fire pathogen is currently intense. For cases where the fire is intense, cold and cool natured herbs are used; for cases where the fire is about to subside, dampness-resolving and phlegm-transforming herbs are used.
Formula composition: Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) [3 qian], Baijiezhi (Brassicae Semens Albus) [3 qian], Fuling (Poria) [5 qian], Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) [1 qian], Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [1 qian], Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) [5 qian]. If there is fire, add Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus); if there is no fire, it is not necessary to add. This formula strengthens the Spleen and resolves dampness, treating phlegm located in the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner).
It also treats phlegm from an already established disease. Formula composition: Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) [5 qian], Fuling (Poria) [5 qian], Yiren (Coicis Semen) [5 qian], Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) [1 qian], Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix) [2 qian], Yizhiren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus) [3 fen], Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) [1 qian]. If there is fire, add Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) 1 qian; if there is no fire, add Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) 1 qian and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 2 fen. This formula strengthens the Spleen and resolves dampness without consuming Qi; after two doses, the phlegm will naturally dissipate.
For phlegm resulting from chronic illness, one must absolutely not attribute it solely to Spleen deficiency generating dampness and phlegm. Chronic illness that does not resolve invariably stems from a deficiency of Kidney Water (Kidney Yin); it is not merely due to Kidney water flooding upward to form phlegm.
Formula composition: Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) [5 qian], Yiren (Coicis Semen) [5 qian], Qianshi (Euryales Semen) [5 qian], Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) [3 qian], Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) [3 qian], Bei Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) [1 qian]. This is the supreme remedy for treating phlegm caused by water flooding. If the phlegm is caused by boiling fire, add Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 1 qian to tonify the Kidney, resolve dampness, and transform phlegm. Once water enters the Kidney Palace, it naturally transforms into normal fluids.
It also treats phlegm from chronic illness using Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), adding Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), which yields miraculous results. If there is no fire, adding Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) suffices.
Phlegm that remains in the chest and diaphragm and cannot be resolved is called Lao Tan (Old Phlegm). The suitable formula is as follows:
Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) [3 qian], Fuling (Poria) [3 qian], Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) [1 qian], Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [1 qian], Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) [3 fen], Baijiezhi (Brassicae Semens Albus) [5 qian].
The brilliance of this formula lies in using Baijiezhi (Brassicae Semens Albus) as the Sovereign herb, with Yiren (Coicis Semen) and Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) as Ministers, and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix) as Assistants and Guides, leaving nowhere for the Old Phlegm to hide. After taking eight or nine doses...