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[Symptoms of Phlegm-Fluid Huoluan] Initially, there is a feeling of restlessness and discomfort in the chest, distending pain and fullness below the heart and hypochondrium. There is frequent desire to vomit, nausea with an urge to retch, sometimes borborygmus (rumbling sounds) in the abdomen, and sometimes palpitations and fright. Suddenly, vomiting and diarrhea occur accompanied by severe pain in the chest and abdomen; this is termed Phlegm-Fluid Huoluan.

[Etiology of Phlegm-Fluid Huoluan] The Spleen Qi has been deficient constitutionally. Irregularity in drinking and eating habits, along with careless daily living, leads to Qi stagnation transforming into phlegm-fluid. This accumulates in the Middle Jiao (epigastrium), obstructing the pathways of ascending and descending Qi. Consequently, vomiting and diarrhea occur simultaneously, resulting in the syndrome of Phlegm-Fluid Huoluan.

[Pulse of Phlegm-Fluid Huoluan] The pulse is mostly slippery and large. A deep-slippery pulse indicates Phlegm-Fluid; a slippery-rapid pulse indicates Phlegm-Heat. Alternatively, a deep-wiry pulse or a hidden-and-knotted pulse may be observed.

[Treatment of Phlegm-Fluid Huoluan] If vomiting predominates, the pathology belongs to the Upper Jiao; Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) and Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) are used, added with fresh Huoxiang Ye (Agastache Leaf). If diarrhea predominates, the pathology belongs to the Lower Jiao; Dao Tan Tang (Phlegm-Guiding Decoction) is used. If caused by external invasion of the Three Qi (Wind, Cold, Damp/Heat), treatment should concurrently address Wind-Damp-Heat.
Er Chen Tang: See section on Summerheat Diarrhea.
Ping Wei San: See section on Damp Diarrhea.
Dao Tan Tang: See section on Phlegm-Accumulation Diarrhea.

[Symptoms of Food-Qi Huoluan] There is fullness and oppression in the chest, distending pain accompanied by belching. Vomiting and diarrhea alternate. Undigested food is vomited out, and the stool is sour and rancid; this is termed Food-Qi Huoluan.

[Etiology of Food-Qi Huoluan] Overeating damages the Central Qi (Spleen and Stomach Qi), impairing its transformative and transporting functions. Rich and greasy foods cause coagulation and stasis in the intestines and stomach. Clear Qi fails to ascend, and turbid Qi fails to descend. When combined with external invasion by Wind, Summerheat, and Damp pathogens, the condition becomes chaotic and violent; patients with this pattern are particularly numerous.

[Pulse of Food-Qi Huoluan] The pulse may appear slippery and large, or deep and solid. Due to the blockage filling the Tai Cang (Stomach), the pulse may paradoxically appear hidden.

[Treatment of Food-Qi Huoluan] For pathogenic factors located in the Upper Jiao, employ the method "as it is high, induce emesis"; use salt water to provoke vomiting. For factors in the Middle Jiao, use Zhi Po Ping Wei San (Immature Bitter Orange and Magnolia Bark Powder to Calm the Stomach) to resolve stagnation. For factors in the Lower Jiao, [text missing]; if due to Dampness, promote diuresis; if due to Summerheat, clear Summerheat. For dispersing warm pathogens, use Bai Du San (Decoction to Overcome Toxins); for clearing and dispersing methods, use Chong He Tang (Harmonizing Decoction).
Zhi Po Ping Wei San
Ingredients: Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Gan Cao (Licorice Root).
Zhi Po Da Huang Tang: See section on Phlegm-Fluid.
Qiang Du Bai Du San: See section on Sha Distension and Abdominal Pain.
Qiang Huo Chong He Tang: See section on Cold Pathogen Diarrhea.