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The Heavenly Master said: In the methods for treating Qi disorders, excess patterns are predominant. I will only mention the major ones, such as rebellious Qi leading to phlegm stagnation. The stagnation of phlegm is not due to the phlegm itself, but rather due to the stagnation of Qi. If one does not promote the flow of Qi and merely treats the phlegm, I have never seen a case where the phlegm was eliminated and the disease resolved. The prescription consists of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 1 qian, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 2 qian, Fu Ling (Poria), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 1 qian, Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) 1 qian, Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) 1 qian, Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) 1 qian, Su Zi (Perillae Fructus) 1 qian, and Dou Kou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) 3 grains. Decoct with water and take orally. [Commentary: Shun Qi Huo Tan Tang (Smooth Qi and Activate Phlegm Decoction)]. The brilliance of this formula lies in regulating Qi while treating phlegm. When Qi flows smoothly, phlegm becomes mobile; when Qi flows smoothly, dampness circulates freely, and phlegm ceases to form. This illustrates the principle of treating Qi disorders, allowing one to comprehend the method of resolving Qi stagnation from this single formula.

Master Zhang said: There are many methods for treating Qi disorders, and the Heavenly Master’s prescriptions are quite concise. I will transmit two additional formulas so that you may understand the treatment principles. For symptoms of Qi deficiency leading to excessive phlegm, excessive phlegm is essentially dampness. However, the method for treating phlegm should not rely solely on removing dampness; it must prioritize tonifying Qi, assisted by herbs that resolve phlegm. The prescription consists of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 3 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) 5 qian, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 3 qian, Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) 1 qian, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 1 qian, and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian. Decoct with water and take orally. [Commentary: Zhu Qi Xiao Tan Tang (Assist Qi and Resolve Phlegm Decoction)]. Although this formula contains Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) to resolve phlegm, without sufficient Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to assist Qi, how can the phlegm be eliminated? With Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to support Qi, and herbs like Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen) and Fu Ling (Poria) to strengthen the Spleen and remove dampness, once the dampness is gone, the phlegm will naturally disappear. This is another method for treating Qi disorders.

In cases of Qi deficiency accompanied by cold-phlegm, the aforementioned formula can be used with the addition of Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 3 qian and Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) 0.5 qian.

In cases of Qi deficiency accompanied by heat-phlegm, this formula should not be used. Instead, use Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) 3 qian, Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) 1 qian, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 1 qian, Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) 1 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 2 qian, Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) 0.3 qian, Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 qian, and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 3 qian. Decoct with water and take orally. [Commentary: Qing Huo Xiao Tan Tang (Clear Fire and Resolve Phlegm Decoction)]. The brilliance of this formula lies in its non-drying nature while still possessing Qi-tonifying properties; it moistens to transform phlegm, and once the phlegm is resolved, Qi becomes sufficient. With these two formulas, treating Qi disorders presents no difficulty.