Library

The *Shengji Zonglu* (Comprehensive Mirror of the Holy Relief) refers to this condition as "Xia" (gasping sound). The symptoms include coughing, with excessive phlegm accumulating in the chest and lodging in the throat. As the patient breathes, Qi strikes against the phlegm, producing a gasping or wheezing sound during inhalation and exhalation. Treatment employs Shegan Wan (Belamcanda Pill). The formula consists of Belamcandae Rhizoma (Shegan), Pinelliae Tuberum (Banxia), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi), Stemona Radix (Baibu), Farfarae Flos (Kuandonghua), Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xixin), dried old ginger (Gan Laojiang), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), Poria (Fuling), and Prunus Li Ren (Yuziren), each one tael; and Gleditsiae Fructus (Zaojiao), scraped of skin and seeds and roasted, five qian. These are ground into powder together, mixed with honey to form pills the size of tung tree seeds. Taken on an empty stomach with rice water, thirty pills per dose, twice daily.

A floating and slippery pulse is favorable. A short, choppy, intermittent, or scattered pulse is contraindicated.

In my opinion: Asthma (Xiao Chuan) is caused by cold pathogen lurking at Feishu (BL13), while phlegm nests accumulate in the lung membrane. Internal and external factors correspond to each other. Once injured by the six qi (wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, dryness, fire), the disease manifests. It also manifests due to alcohol injury or food stagnation, anger and qi stagnation, physical overexertion, or sexual exhaustion. Upon manifestation, the cold qi at Feishu and turbid phlegm at the lung membrane conspire to obstruct the airways, preventing respiration. The righteous Qi of respiration then stirs the phlegm, producing snoring or wheezing sounds. This cannot be treated with ordinary medicines. Therefore, the *Shengji Zonglu* uses the aforementioned potent formula. However, it is only suitable for those with strong constitutions. For individuals with weak constitutions, it is advisable to use ten taels of Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) ingredients, plus two taels of Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), ground together into powder. Mix evenly with four liang of Zhuli (Bamboo Sap) and one liang of Shengjiangzhi (Fresh Ginger Juice). Stir and sun-dry repeatedly until nine cycles are completed. Take three qian per dose, washed down with boiled water. This is because Bamboo Sap and Fresh Ginger Juice can penetrate the phlegm nests. Although purging internal turbid phlegm is a correct method, one must also cut off the root cause where it lurks and finds support. One must employ various secret acupoint moxibustion methods from different schools. If one fears moxibustion, it is appropriate to use Zhang Luyu's external paste powder during the Sanfu days (the hottest period of summer) in midsummer. My family has a hereditary miraculous powder for curing asthma at its root (the formula is recorded in Xiuyuan Xin'an). Add five fen of Moschus (Shexiang), mix with ginger juice, and apply as a plaster to acupoints such as Feishu (BL13), Gaohuang (BL43), and Bailao (EX-B1). After application, numbness, dizziness, and pain may occur; do not remove it immediately. Wait until three incense sticks have burned out before removing it. Apply once again after ten days. Repeat this three times, and the root of the disease will be eliminated. The differentiation and treatment of asthma are detailed in the sections on Phlegm-Fluids, Cough, and Panting, so no further elaboration is needed here.