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The hundred diseases caused by Phlegm (Tan, 痰) mostly originate from Phlegm; without Phlegm, disease cannot form. However, the generation of Phlegm is never without cause; it is either due to the decline of Yang Qi (vital energy associated with warmth and activity) or the deficiency of Yin Qi (substance and fluids). Once Yang Qi declines and Wind Pathogen (external pathogenic factor) invades from outside, Phlegm will inevitably be generated. The forms of Phlegm vary: some resemble yellow clumps, others like broken cotton wadding, differing in many ways. Symptoms include incessant coughing, incomplete vomiting, followed by abdominal distension and chest oppression. The treatment method involves modifying Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) to treat Phlegm in Yang-patterns, which indeed yields miraculous effects. However, many people do not use this formula well, often achieving poor results, precisely because it lacks ingredients that tonify Yang Qi. I have now modified this formula and named it Modified Er Chen Tang (Jia Jian Er Chen Tang); using this to treat Phlegm in Yang-patterns yields miraculous efficacy without exception. If you observe slight Fire (heat pathogen), add one qian of Ku Qin (Scutellariae Radix Praeparata with Honey, a type of Huangqin).

Phlegm in Yin-patterns presents as expectoration resembling clear water or crab saliva, with no thirst in the mouth, or sounds within the abdomen, or oppression in the chest, or symptoms worsening at night and improving during the day, or a red face that occasionally turns pale. These are all Phlegm resulting from Yin Deficiency. Yin Deficiency stems either from Spleen Qi insufficiency or Kidney Qi depletion. The treatment principle is to strengthen the Spleen to transform Phlegm and tonify the Kidney to guide Water back to its source; this is the fundamental law. Additionally, there is a condition where Cold in the Lower Jiao is severe, with little Fire, causing Water waves to surge upward. One must tonify the Fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life) in the Kidney to generate Spleen Earth; only when Spleen Earth is robust can it control Water, naturally transforming Phlegm into Essence (Jing), which again depends on the physician's skillful treatment. For cases where Kidney Fire deficiency and Cold lead to Water flooding, Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) is most excellent. I will not prescribe another formula here, but for cases of Spleen and Kidney deficiency where Mingmen Fire is not extremely weak, one can concurrently treat Spleen Earth without purely focusing on tonifying the Kidney. I have established a prescription: after one dose, the condition lightens; after two doses, Phlegm settles; after three doses, Phlegm dissipates, leaving no residue. The brilliance of this formula lies in its pure use of Spleen-strengthening herbs combined with dampness-draining herbs; once Dampness is removed, Phlegm has no allies to gather. Furthermore, Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) eliminates Phlegm in the diaphragm, while Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) and Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus) are the best items to awaken the Spleen. Working together, can they fail to produce miraculous results?

Modified Er Chen Tang (Jia Jian Er Chen Tang)
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 3 qian), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 1 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian), Fu Ling (Poria, 5 qian), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 1 qian), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix, 0.5 qian), Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 3 qian), Su Zi (Perillae Fructus, 0.8 fen), decocted in water and taken orally.

Later Formula (The aforementioned Spleen-strengthening and dampness-draining formula)
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 5 qian), Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 5 qian), Qian Shi (Euryales Semen, 5 qian), Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen, 5 qian), Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata, 0.5 fen), Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus, 2 grains), Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen, 3 qian), decocted in water and taken orally.