脉滑而手足温者生。脉沉涩而四肢寒者死。数者亦死。为其形损故也。肺受邪则喘。手
太阴肺专主外感。无汗而喘属表实。有汗而喘属表虚。凡久喘未发。扶正气为要。已发。攻
邪为主。大概喘急甚者。不可便用苦药。火气盛故也。
一论外邪在表。无汗而喘者。
五虎汤
麻黄(三钱) 杏仁(去皮三钱) 石膏(五钱) 甘草(一钱) 细茶(一钱) 有痰。加二陈
汤。
上锉一剂。生姜、葱。水煎热服。加桑白皮一钱。尤良。
一论在里。邪实不便。脉实而喘者。
三一承气汤
大黄 芒硝 浓朴 枳实 甘草 加木香 槟榔
上锉。生姜三片。水煎热服。
一论痰盛而喘者。此治痰喘不能卧。人扶而坐。数日。一服而安。
千缗导痰汤
南星(一钱) 半夏(七个水泡破皮分四片) 赤茯苓 枳壳(麸炒各一钱) 皂角(一寸炙
去皮一钱) 甘草(一寸炙)
上锉。生姜一指大。水煎服。
一论七情郁上气而喘者。用
四磨汤
人参 槟榔 沉香 乌药
上四味。各用水磨汁。合一处。温服之。
三子汤 治气喘如神。
苏子 白芥子 萝卜子
水煎服。立愈。
一论腹胀气喘。坐卧不得者。宜服
沉香散
沉香(二钱半) 木香(二钱半) 枳壳(麸炒三钱) 萝卜子(三钱)
上锉一剂。生姜三片。水煎。温服。
一论喘急。因内伤元气。气不接续而喘者。宜用补中益气汤。(方见内伤)
一论阴虚火动。火炎上攻而喘者。宜此清离滋坎汤。(方见劳瘵)一用六味丸加黄柏、知
母。亦效。
一论虚阳上攻。气不升降。上盛下虚。痰涎壅盛。喘促短气。咳嗽而喘者。
苏子降气汤
苏子(三钱) 陈皮 浓朴(姜汁炒各一钱) 前胡 肉桂(各二钱) 半夏(姜汁炒五钱)
当归(三钱) 甘草(一钱)
上锉。姜、枣煎服。
一论凡人痰嗽气喘。宜服
三子养亲汤
白芥子(研八分) 萝卜子(研八分) 南星(水泡八分) 半夏(水泡八分) 陈皮(去白六
分) 枳实(炒六分) 片芩(去朽八分) 赤茯苓(去皮八分) 苏子(研八分) 甘草(二分)
上锉一剂。生姜三片。水煎温服。
一人体肥善饮。仲秋痰喘。用二陈、芩、连。益甚。加桑皮、杏仁。盗汗气促。加贝母
、
枳壳。不时发热。予以为脾肺虚寒。用八味丸(见补血)以补土母。补中益气汤接补中气。
A pulse that is slippery (Hua) with warm hands and feet indicates survival. A pulse that is deep and choppy (Chen Se) with cold limbs indicates death. A rapid (Shu) pulse also indicates death, due to the depletion of the physical form. When the Lung is affected by pathogenic factors, wheezing occurs. The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian specifically governs exogenous diseases. Wheezing without sweating belongs to Exterior Excess syndrome; wheezing with sweating belongs to Exterior Deficiency syndrome. For chronic wheezing that has not yet attacked, reinforcing healthy Qi (Zheng Qi) is essential. Once it has attacked, attacking the pathogen is the primary principle. Generally, for severe acute wheezing, bitter-cold medicines should not be used immediately, as Fire Qi is abundant at this stage.
Discussion 1: For exogenous pathogens in the Exterior, presenting with no sweat and wheezing.
Wuhu Tang (Five Tiger Decoction)
Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) (3 qian), Apricot Seed (Xingren, 杏仁) (decocted peel removed, 3 qian), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao, 石膏) (5 qian), Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) (1 qian), Fine Tea (Xicha, 细茶) (1 qian). If there is phlegm, add Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction).
Grind these into one dose. Add fresh ginger and scallion white, decoct in water, and take hot. Adding Pulmonariae Radix et Rhizoma (Sangbaipi, 桑白皮) 1 qian yields even better results.
Discussion 2: For pathogens in the Interior, with interior excess and constipation, presenting with a full pulse and wheezing.
Sanyi Chengqi Tang (Three-One Purging Decoction)
Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang, 大黄), Mirabilite (Mangxiao, 芒硝), Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Noupu, 浓朴), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi, 枳实), Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草), plus Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang, 木香) and Areca Seed (Binglang, 槟榔).
Grind these. Add three slices of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take hot.
Discussion 3: For wheezing caused by excessive phlegm. This treats wheezing where the patient cannot lie flat and must be supported to sit up. After several days of treatment, one dose brings relief.
Qianmin Daotan Tang (Thousand-Minute Phlegm-Guiding Decoction)
Arisaematis Rhizoma (Nanxing, 南星) (1 qian), Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia, 半夏) (seven grains soaked in water, skin broken, divided into four pieces), Red Poria (Chifuling, 赤茯苓), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhiqiao, 枳壳) (bran-fried, 1 qian each), Gleditsia Sinensis Spine (Zaojiao, 皂角) (one cun roasted, skin removed, 1 qian), Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) (one cun roasted).
Grind these. Add a finger-sized piece of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take.
Discussion 4: For wheezing caused by upward counterflow of Qi due to emotional stagnation. Use Simo Tang (Four-Grind Decoction).
Ginseng Radix (Renshen, 人参), Areca Seed (Binglang, 槟榔), Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang, 沉香), Cinnamon Twig (Wuyao, 乌药 - *Note: Wuyao usually refers to Litsea Cubeba, but here likely implies warming/moving Qi*).
Take these four ingredients, grind each separately in water to extract juice, mix them together, and take warm.
Sanzi Tang (Three-Seed Decoction) treats wheezing effectively.
Perilla Seed (Suzi, 苏子), White Mustard Seed (Baijiezi, 白芥子), Radish Seed (Luobozhi, 萝卜子).
Decoct in water and take; recovery is immediate.
Discussion 5: For abdominal distension with wheezing, unable to sit or lie down comfortably. It is suitable to take Chenxiang San (Agarwood Powder/Decoction).
Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (Chenxiang, 沉香) (2.5 qian), Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang, 木香) (2.5 qian), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhiqiao, 枳壳) (bran-fried, 3 qian), Radish Seed (Luobozhi, 萝卜子) (3 qian).
Grind into one dose. Add three slices of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take warm.
Discussion 6: For acute wheezing caused by internal injury to Yuan Qi (Original Qi), where Qi fails to connect continuously. It is suitable to use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction). (See Internal Injury section for formula details).
Discussion 7: For wheezing caused by Yin deficiency with hyperactive Fire, where Fire flares upward. It is suitable to use Qingli Zikan Tang (Clear Li and Nourish Kan Decoction). (See Consumption/Laozai section for formula details). Alternatively, Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill) added with Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai, 黄柏) and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu, 知母) is also effective.
Discussion 8: For counterattack of deficient Yang, dysfunction of Qi ascending and descending, excess above and deficiency below, accumulation of salivary phlegm, panting with shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.
Suzi Jiangqi Tang (Perilla Seed Descending Qi Decoction)
Perilla Seed (Suzi, 苏子) (3 qian), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi, 陈皮), Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Noupu, 浓朴) (fried with ginger juice, 1 qian each), Peucedani Radix (Qianhu, 前胡), Cinnamon Bark (Rougui, 肉桂) (2 qian each), Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia, 半夏) (fried with ginger juice, 5 qian), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 当归) (3 qian), Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) (1 qian).
Grind these. Decoct with ginger and jujube, and take.
Discussion 9: For general cases of phlegm-cough and wheezing, it is suitable to take Sanzi Yangqin Tang (Three-Seed Nourishing Parents Decoction).
White Mustard Seed (Baijiezi, 白芥子) (ground, 0.8 fen), Radish Seed (Luobozhi, 萝卜子) (ground, 0.8 fen), Arisaematis Rhizoma (Nanxing, 南星) (soaked in water, 0.8 fen), Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia, 半夏) (soaked in water, 0.8 fen), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi, 陈皮) (peel removed, 0.6 fen), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi, 枳实) (fried, 0.6 fen), Scutellariae Radix (Pianqin, 片芩) (rotten parts removed, 0.8 fen), Red Poria (Chifuling, 赤茯苓) (skin removed, 0.8 fen), Perilla Seed (Suzi, 苏子) (ground, 0.8 fen), Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草) (0.2 fen).
Grind into one dose. Add three slices of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take warm.
A case: A person who is obese and fond of drinking alcohol suffered from phlegm-wheezing in mid-autumn. Using Erchen Tang combined with Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin, 黄芩) and Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai, 黄连) worsened the condition. Adding Pulmonariae Radix et Rhizoma (Sangbaipi, 桑白皮) and Apricot Seed (Xingren, 杏仁) led to night sweats and shortness of breath. Adding Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu, 贝母) and Immature Bitter Orange (Zhiqiao, 枳壳) resulted in intermittent fever. I diagnosed this as Spleen and Lung deficiency-cold. I used Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) (see Blood Tonification section) to tonify the mother of Earth (Kidney), followed by Buzhong Yiqi Tang to continue tonifying Middle Qi.