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Asthma (Chuan Zheng) is categorized into deficiency and excess patterns. When asthma is triggered by wind pathogen, it belongs to an excess pattern; the disease can be cured by dispersing the pathogen. The symptoms include a rattling sound in the throat resembling that of a water chicken, panting accompanied by shoulder elevation, chest tightness, and a sensation of suffocation as if dying. Although the clinical presentation appears severe, the actual condition is relatively mild, indicating an external contraction disease rather than an internal injury disorder. The prescribed formula is Shegan Zhichuan Tang (Belamcanda Asthma-Relieving Decoction), which cures the patient after one dose without the need for a second dose. This formula consists mainly of herbs that dispel pathogens and scatter wind, but includes tonifying ingredients to moderate their effects, ensuring that while the pathogen is eliminated, the healthy qi remains unharmed. If the formula contained only tonifying herbs without pathogen-dispersing ones, or only dispersing herbs without tonification, although the wind pathogen might be expelled and asthma temporarily relieved, there would inevitably be a predisposition to future re-infection. It is better to take preventive measures at the onset of the disease.

As for deficiency-type asthma, how does it present? The patient breathes slightly rapidly through the mouth without shoulder elevation. This is actually a symptom of shortness of breath (Duan Qi), which resembles asthma but is not true asthma. Upon inquiry, there is invariably a sensation of qi rushing upward from the umbilical region, causing restless breathing. This indicates extreme kidney deficiency, where the original yang (Yuan Yang) is reduced to a faint thread of vitality, barely connected and on the verge of extinction. The treatment method should involve significantly nourishing the water of the Kidney (Kidney Yin) while simultaneously tonifying the original yang qi, thereby subduing deficient fire and sustaining the original yang. The prescribed formula is Shengshui Guiyuan San (Water-Generating Source-Returning Powder). This formula is extraordinarily effective; such critical conditions cannot be rescued from impending death or replenishment of nearly exhausted true yin without this specific prescription. After one dose, asthma alleviates; after two doses, asthma stabilizes; after three to four doses, the body becomes peaceful. Thus, the patient can sleep soundly without the hazard of rebellious qi ascending. If my formula is not used, death is inevitable; even if symptoms slightly decrease with other treatments, it takes a long time and merely increases exhaustion. Rather than taking numerous medications later, it is far superior to administer my prescribed formula generously at the earliest stage to quickly eradicate the disease.

Shegan Zhichuan Tang (Belamcanda Asthma-Relieving Decoction)
Shegan (Belamcandae Rhizoma, 2 qian) Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix, 1 qian) Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 3 qian) Fuling (Poria, 3 qian) Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum, 3 qian) Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian) Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix, 1 qian) Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, 1 qian) Suzi (Perillae Fructus, 3 qian) Baibu (Stemonae Radix, 1 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Shengshui Guiyuan San (Water-Generating Source-Returning Powder)
Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, 3 liang) Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus, 1 liang) Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, 3 liang) Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 5 qian) Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 3 qian) Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen, 5 qian) Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, 3 qian) Hutaoren (Juglandis Semen, 5 pieces) Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 5 slices). Decoct in water and take orally.