Library

All types of wheezing (asthma) are attributed to Fire. The Lung is the highest organ among the five zang organs, acting as the canopy (Huagai) for the Heart. If Heart Fire flares upward, it causes the lung leaves to become scorched and rise, leading to rebellious Qi and obstruction, resulting in wheezing. Some cases of wheezing are caused by Wind-Cold, while others are caused by food stagnation. However, wheezing caused by eruptive diseases (such as smallpox or chickenpox) is uniquely attributed to Fire. If this is accompanied by diarrhea, abdominal distension, and irritability, it becomes incurable.

If wheezing occurs immediately upon the onset of fever, Qianhu Zhike Tang (Peucedanum and Aurantium Decoction) is the primary formula; it can also be used if there is constipation. If wheezing persists after taking this formula, Tingli Wan (Descurainia Pill) should be used. If wheezing is accompanied by spontaneous diarrhea, Huangqin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction, indicated for abdominal pain in eruptions) combined with Wuweizi (Schisandra) and Renshen (Ginseng) is the primary formula. After the eruption appears, if there is urgent wheezing and profuse phlegm, Xinggan Tang (Apricot Kernel and Licorice Decoction) or Ren Shen Qingge San (Ginseng Clear Diaphragm Powder, indicated for cough) should be used. If wheezing and thirst occur between the appearance of the eruption and its crusting, Baizhu San (Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder, indicated for thirst) is used; for severe cases, Muxiang San (Costus Root Powder) is used (only after carefully confirming a deficiency-cold pattern). If the eruption is at its peak and sudden urgent wheezing occurs, this is an ominous sign requiring detailed examination. If the cause is food stagnation, where grain qi steams into heat and harasses the Lung causing wheezing, purgation is appropriate, using Dingxiang Pi Ji Wan (Clove Spleen Accumulation Pill, indicated for food stagnation); once the food stagnation is removed and heat eliminated, the wheezing will settle. If the wheezing is due to contracting Wind-Cold, Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is used. If the wheezing is due to diarrhea, internal deficiency, and abdominal distension, Chen's Muxiang San (Costus Root Powder, indicated for diarrhea) is used. If diarrhea stops and wheezing settles, life can be saved; if there is incontinence of stool and worsening wheezing and fullness, this indicates Qi collapse.

After the crusts fall off, if there is abdominal distension, wheezing, thirst, free bowel movements, but scanty or difficult urination, Tingli Muxiang San (Descurainia and Costus Root Powder) is used. For wheezing with cough, Wuweizi Tang (Schisandra Decoction) is used. For wheezing and thirst after crusting, with residual toxins not cleared and hard stools, Qianhu Zhike San (Peucedanum and Aurantium Powder) is used.

Qian Yi's method: For wheezing with abdominal fullness and obstructed urination and defecation, promote urination first; if ineffective, use Xuanfeng San (Dispel Wind Powder, indicated for fever in eruptions) to purge. Zhang Yuansu's (Haizang) method: For eruptions causing Lung Qi obstruction, use Zicao Gancao Zhike Tang (Arnebia, Licorice, and Aurantium Decoction). Chen's method: For shortness of breath during the eruption phase, use Muxiang San. Xue Ji's method: For Spleen and Lung deficiency, use Baizhu San (indicated for thirst). For Spleen and Lung deficiency-cold, use Muxiang San (indicated for diarrheal eruptions). For internal accumulation of Heat-Toxin, use Zicao Gancao Zhike Tang. For external contraction of Wind-Evil, use Shen Su Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Drink, indicated for initial fever). For internal and external stagnation, use Ren Shen Qingge San (indicated for eruptive cough). For spontaneous diarrhea and obstructed urination, use Tingli Muxiang San. For hard stools, use Qianhu Zhike San.

Xinggan Tang: Treats irritability, wheezing, thirst, and restlessness in eruptions.
Ingredients: Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang), Morus Cortex (Sangbaipi), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao).
Preparation and Administration: Equal parts, ground into coarse powder. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct in one sheng of water, take after meals.

Mahuang Tang:
Ingredients: Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) (equal parts), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) (double dose).
Preparation and Administration: Cut finely. Add 1 qian of aged tea leaves, decoct in one sheng of water until reduced to 0.7 sheng, strain and take at any time. Another version has no Shigao but includes Morus Cortex (Sangbaipi).

Qianhu Zhike Tang: Treats phlegm-stagnation with high fever, chest oppression, and urgent wheezing when lying down.
Ingredients: Peucedani Radix (Qianhu), Aurantii Fructus (Zhike), Poria (Fuling, red variety), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, honey-fried) (each 5 qian), Rheum Palmatum (Dahuang) (dose adjusted for child's age).
Preparation and Administration: Cut into pieces. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct in one sheng of water until reduced to 0.6 sheng, take frequently.

Tingli Wan:
Ingredients: Descurainiae Semen (Tingli, sweet), Phaseoli Volubilis Semen (Qianniu, black, stir-fried), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren, separately ground), Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (Hanfangji) (each 1 liang).
Preparation and Administration: Grind into powder, mix with Apricot Kernel paste, and knead with flesh of steamed old dates into pills the size of hemp seeds. Take 5-7 pills per dose, wash down with light ginger soup.

Tingli Muxiang San: Treats spontaneous diarrhea, obstructed urination, wheezing and cough, abdominal distension, and inability to eat. It is best taken in larger quantities.
Ingredients: Polypori Umbellati (Zhuling), Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie), Poria (Fuling), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guangui), Descurainiae Semen (Tingli), Akebiae Caulis (Mutong), Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) (each 0.5 qian), Talcum (Huashi) (2 qian).
Preparation and Administration: Cut into fragments and make into powder. Decoct in one sheng of water until reduced to half a sheng, take warm on an empty stomach. Avoid greasy food. Divide into two doses.

Zicao Gancao Zhike Tang:
Ingredients: Arnebiae Radix seu Rhizoma (Zicao), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Aurantii Fructus (Zhike) (equal parts).
Preparation and Administration: Take 1-2 qian per dose, decoct in water.

Gegen Huangqin Tang: Treats wheezing with sweating, fever, and cough.
Ingredients: Puerariae Lobatae Radix (Gegen), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) (each 2 qian), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) (each 1 qian), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi) (11 grains), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) (0.5 qian).
Preparation and Administration: Decoct in water and take.

Wuweizi Tang: Treats urgent wheezing with cold limbs.
Ingredients: Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi) (1.5 qian), Ginseng Radix (Renshen) (1 qian), Ophiopogonis Tuber (Maidong), Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren) (each 2 qian).
Preparation and Administration: Add three slices of fresh Ginger (Shengjiang) and three Jujubes (Dazao), decoct in water and take.

Liupei Liangxue Xiaodu San:
Ingredients: Rhinocerotis Cornu (Xijiao; substitute with Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma) if unavailable), Paeoniae Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Rehmanniae Radix Recens (Shengdihuang), Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishaoyao), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Shenggancao) (equal parts).
Preparation and Administration: Take 3-5 qian per dose, decoct in water.