人有偶感风寒，一时动喘，气急抬肩，吐痰如涌，喉中作水鸡声，此外感非内伤也。倘
误认内伤，少用补气之味，则气塞而不能言，痰结而不可息矣。治法宜用解表之味。然而，
纯补之药不可用，而清补之药未尝不可施也。方用平喘仙丹∶
麦冬（五钱） 桔梗（三钱） 甘草（二钱） 半夏（二钱） 黄芩（一钱） 山豆根（一钱） 射干（一钱） 白
薇
（一钱） 乌药（一钱） 苏叶（八分） 茯苓（三钱）
水煎服。一剂喘平，再剂全愈，不必三剂也
。
盖外感之喘，乃风寒之邪，从风府而直入于肺，尽祛其痰而涌塞咽喉之间，看其病势似
重，然较内伤之喘大轻也。平喘仙丹专消肺邪而不耗肺之正，顺肺气而不助肺之火，故下喉
即庆安全也。
此症用止声汤甚神。
麻黄（一钱） 天门冬（三钱） 桔梗（三钱） 甘草 茯苓（各二钱） 山豆根（八分） 射干 陈皮 半
夏青黛（各一钱）
水煎服。一剂愈。
人有痰气上冲于咽喉，气塞肺管作喘，而不能取息，其息不粗，而无抬肩之状者，此气
虚而非气盛也，乃不足之症。不可作有余之火治之。人身之阴阳，原自相根，而阴阳中之水
火，不可须臾离也。惟肾水太虚，而后肾火无制，始越出于肾宫，而关元之气不能挽回，直
奔于肺而作喘矣。然而关元之气微，虽力不胜任，以挽回其将绝之元阳，而犹幸其一线之牵
连也，则犹可救援于万一耳。方用定喘神奇丹∶
人参（二两） 牛膝（五钱） 麦冬（二两） 北五味（二钱） 熟地（二两） 山茱萸（四钱）
作汤煎服。一剂而喘少止，二剂而喘更轻，四剂而喘大定。
此方人参宜多用，不用至二两则不能下达于气海关元，以生气于无何有之乡。非用牛膝
不能下行，且牛膝能平胃肾之虚火，又能直补其下元之气也。麦冬益肺金，非多用则自顾不
暇，何能生汪洋之水，以救燎原之炎耶!人喘则气散，非五味子何以能收敛乎。用熟地以益
肾中之水也，肾水大足，自不去泄肺金之气，然非多加则阴不能骤生，而火不可以遽制。又
益之以山茱萸，以赞襄熟地之不逮，自能水火既济，而气易还元也。
此症亦可用参熟桃苏汤。
人参 熟地（各一两） 破故纸（五分） 茯神 麦冬（各五钱） 胡桃（一个） 生姜 苏子（各一钱）
山萸 巴戟天（各二钱）
水煎服。
人有七情气郁，结滞痰涎，或如破絮，或如梅核，咯之不出，咽之不下，痞满壅盛，上
气喘急，此内伤外感兼而成之者也。此等之症最难治。欲治内伤而外邪不能出，欲治外感而
内伤不能愈。然则终何以治之乎?吾治其肝胆，而内伤、外感俱皆愈也。盖肝胆乃阴阳之会
，表里之间也，解其郁气而喘息可平矣。方用加味逍遥散治之。
白芍（五钱） 白术（三钱） 当归（三钱） 柴胡（一钱） 陈皮（五分） 甘草（一钱） 茯苓（三钱） 苏
叶（一钱） 半夏（一钱） 浓朴（一钱）
水煎服。一剂而痰气清，再剂而痰气更清，四剂而喘急自愈。
病成于郁，治郁而诸症安得不速愈哉!
此症用苏叶破结汤亦神。
白芍 茯苓（各五钱） 半夏（二钱） 苏叶（三钱） 甘草（一钱） 枳壳（五分）
水煎服。一剂气通痰清矣，二剂全愈。
人有久嗽之后，忽然大喘不止，痰出如泉，身汗如油。此汗出亡阳，本是不救之病，而
吾以为可救者，以久嗽伤肺而不伤肾也。夫喘症多是伤肾，久嗽之人未有不伤肾者，以肺金
不能生肾水，而肾气自伤也。然而伤肺以致伤肾，与竟自伤肾者不同。盖伤肺者伤气也，伤
肾者伤精也，故伤肺以致伤肾者，终伤气而非伤精。精有形而气无形，无形者补气可以生精
，即补气可以定喘；有形者必补精以生气，又必补精以回喘也。所以伤肺者易为功，不比伤
肾者难为力。方用生脉散∶
麦冬（一两） 人参（五钱） 北五味子（二钱）
水煎服。一剂而喘定，再剂而汗止，三剂而痰少，更加天花粉二钱，白术五钱，当归三
钱，白芍五钱 再服十剂全愈。
生脉散补气之圣药也。补其肺气，自生肾水矣。肾得水而火不上沸，则龙雷自安于肾脏
，不必又去补肾也。以视伤肾动喘者，轻重不大相悬殊哉!
此症用归气汤亦妙。
麦冬（三两） 北五味（三钱） 熟地（三两） 白术（二两）
水煎服。一剂而汗止，十剂全愈。
A person who accidentally contracts wind-cold may suddenly develop asthma (asthma/wheezing), with rapid breathing, shoulder shrugging, profuse expectoration like a gush, and a sound in the throat resembling that of a water frog. This is an exterior syndrome (Exterior Syndrome) caused by external pathogens, not an interior syndrome (Interior Syndrome). If mistakenly diagnosed as an interior deficiency and treated with even a small amount of Qi-tonifying herbs, it will lead to Qi stagnation preventing speech and phlegm accumulation causing respiratory distress. The treatment method should employ exterior-resolving herbs. However, purely tonifying medicines are contraindicated, while clearing-and-tonifying medicines can be applied. The prescription used is Pingchuan Xiandan (Stabilizing Asthma Immortal Elixir):
* *Ophiopogonis Radix* (Maidong, 麦冬) – 5 qian
* *Platycodonis Radix* (Jiegeng, 桔梗) – 3 qian
* *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao, 甘草) – 2 qian
* *Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum* (Banxia, 半夏) – 2 qian
* *Scutellariae Radix* (Huangqin, 黄芩) – 1 qian
* *Thladianthae Radix* (Shandougen, 山豆根) – 1 qian
* *Belamcandae Rhizoma* (Shegan, 射干) – 1 qian
* *Cynanchi Atrati Radix* (Baiwei, 白薇) – 1 qian
* *Linderae Radix* (Wuyao, 乌药) – 1 qian
* *Perillae Folium* (Suye, 苏叶) – 8 fen
* *Poria* (Fuling, 茯苓) – 3 qian
Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, wheezing subsides; after two doses, full recovery occurs; a third dose is unnecessary.
Generally, asthma caused by external pathogens involves wind-cold evil entering the Lung directly from the Fengfu point (GV16). By thoroughly eliminating the phlegm surging and blocking the throat, although the disease severity appears heavy, it is significantly lighter than asthma caused by internal injury. Pingchuan Xiandan specifically eliminates Lung pathogenic factors without depleting Lung Zheng Qi (Righteous Qi), and directs Lung Qi downward without assisting Lung Fire, thus ensuring safety immediately upon ingestion.
This condition is also effectively treated with Zhisheng Tang (Stop Voice Decoction):
* *Ephedrae Herba* (Mahuang, 麻黄) – 1 qian
* *Asparagi Radix* (Tianmendong, 天门冬) – 3 qian
* *Platycodonis Radix* (Jiegeng, 桔梗) – 3 qian
* *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao, 甘草) & *Poria* (Fuling, 茯苓) – 2 qian each
* *Thladianthae Radix* (Shandougen, 山豆根) – 8 fen
* *Belamcandae Rhizoma* (Shegan, 射干), *Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium* (Chenpi, 陈皮), & *Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum cum Indigo Naturalis* (Banxia Qingdai, 半夏青黛) – 1 qian each
Decoct in water and take orally. One dose leads to cure.
When Phlegm-Qi rushes upward to the throat, blocking the airway and causing asthma without normal respiration, yet the breath is not coarse and there is no shoulder shrugging, this indicates Qi Deficiency rather than Qi Excess; it is a deficiency syndrome. It must not be treated as an excess Fire syndrome. Yin and Yang in the human body are inherently interdependent, and the Water and Fire within Yin and Yang cannot be separated for a moment. Only when Kidney Water is extremely deficient does Kidney Fire lose its control, escaping from the Kidney Palace. When the Qi of Guanyuan (CV4) is too weak to retrieve it, it rushes straight to the Lung, causing asthma. Although the Qi at Guanyuan is faint and lacks the strength to fully retrieve the nearly extinct Yuan Yang (Primal Yang), the remaining thread of connection allows for a slim chance of rescue. The prescription used is Dingchuan Shenqi Dan (Stabilizing Asthma Miraculous Pill):
* *Ginseng Radix* (Renshen, 人参) – 2 liang
* *Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix* (Niuxi, 牛膝) – 5 qian
* *Ophiopogonis Radix* (Maidong, 麦冬) – 2 liang
* *Schisandrae Fructus* (Beiwuzi, 北五味) – 2 qian
* *Rehmanniae Radix Preparata* (Shudi, 熟地) – 2 liang
* *Corni Fructus* (Shanzhuyu, 山茱萸) – 4 qian
Decoct as a soup and take orally. After one dose, wheezing slightly stops; after two doses, wheezing lightens further; after four doses, wheezing is largely stabilized.
In this formula, Ginseng should be used in large amounts; if less than 2 liang is used, it cannot reach the Qihai (CV6) and Guanyuan points to generate Qi in the "non-existent" realm. Achyranthes is necessary for descending action; it pacifies deficient Fire in the Stomach and Kidney and directly tonifies Lower Yuan Qi. Ophiopogon benefits Metal (Lung); if not used in large quantities, it cannot sustain itself, let alone generate abundant Water to extinguish raging Fire. Asthma causes Qi dispersion; only Schisandra can astringe it. Rehmannia tonifies Kidney Water; sufficient Kidney Water prevents the leakage of Lung Qi, but if not added in large amounts, Yin cannot regenerate rapidly, nor can Fire be controlled abruptly. Adding Corni assists Rehmannia where it falls short, facilitating the intersection of Water and Fire, allowing Qi to easily return to its origin.
This condition can also be treated with Shenshu Taosu Tang (Ginseng and Rehmannia Walnut Perilla Decoction):
* *Ginseng Radix* (Renshen, 人参) & *Rehmanniae Radix Preparata* (Shudi, 熟地) – 1 liang each
* *Psoraleae Fructus* (Poguozhi, 破故纸) – 5 fen
* *Poria Cum Pinodendron* (Fushen, 茯神) & *Ophiopogonis Radix* (Maidong, 麦冬) – 5 qian each
* *Juglandis Semen* (Hutao, 胡桃) – 1 piece
* *Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens* (Shengjiang, 生姜) & *Perillae Fructus* (Suzi, 苏子) – 1 qian each
* *Corni Fructus* (Shanyuzi, 山萸) & *Morinda Officinalis Radix* (Bajitian, 巴戟天) – 2 qian each
Decoct in water and take orally.
When Seven Emotions cause Qi Stagnation, leading to accumulated Phlegm-Saliva that feels like broken cotton or a plum pit—unable to be coughed up or swallowed, causing distension, fullness, and upper asthma—it is a combination of internal injury and external contraction. Such conditions are difficult to treat. Treating internal injury traps external pathogens; treating external injury fails to heal internal injury. How then to treat it? I treat the Liver and Gallbladder, and both internal and external injuries resolve. The Liver and Gallbladder are the meeting point of Yin and Yang, situated between the interior and exterior. Resolving their Qi Stagnation calms the wheezing. The prescription used is Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder):
* *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao, 白芍) – 5 qian
* *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术) – 3 qian
* *Angelicae Sinensis Radix* (Danggui, 当归) – 3 qian
* *Bupleuri Radix* (Chaihu, 柴胡) – 1 qian
* *Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium* (Chenpi, 陈皮) – 5 fen
* *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao, 甘草) – 1 qian
* *Poria* (Fuling, 茯苓) – 3 qian
* *Perillae Folium* (Suye, 苏叶) – 1 qian
* *Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum* (Banxia, 半夏) – 1 qian
* *Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex* (Houpo, 浓朴) – 1 qian
Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, Phlegm-Qi clears; after two doses, it clears further; after four doses, asthma resolves spontaneously.
Since the disease arises from Stagnation, treating Stagnation ensures rapid recovery of all symptoms!
This condition is also effectively treated with Suye Pojie Tang (Perilla Breaking Knots Decoction):
* *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao, 白芍) & *Poria* (Fuling, 茯苓) – 5 qian each
* *Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum* (Banxia, 半夏) – 2 qian
* *Perillae Folium* (Suye, 苏叶) – 3 qian
* *Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma* (Gancao, 甘草) – 1 qian
* *Aurantii Fructus Immaturus* (Zhiqiao, 枳壳) – 5 fen
Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, Qi flows and Phlegm clears; after two doses, full recovery occurs.
After prolonged coughing, sudden severe asthma may occur, with profuse expectoration like a spring and sweating like oil. This sweating indicates loss of Yang and is typically incurable. However, I consider it curable because prolonged coughing injures the Lung but not the Kidney. Asthma usually injures the Kidney; those with prolonged coughing invariably injure the Kidney because Lung Metal fails to generate Kidney Water, leading to self-injury of Kidney Qi. However, Lung injury leading to Kidney injury differs from direct Kidney injury. Lung injury damages Qi; Kidney injury damages Essence. Therefore, Lung injury affecting the Kidney ultimately damages Qi, not Essence. Essence is substantial; Qi is insubstantial. Tonifying Qi can generate Essence, and tonifying Qi can stabilize asthma. For substantial Essence loss, one must tonify Essence to generate Qi and restore asthma. Thus, Lung injury is easier to treat than Kidney injury. The prescription used is Shengmai San (Generate Pulse Powder):
* *Ophiopogonis Radix* (Maidong, 麦冬) – 1 liang
* *Ginseng Radix* (Renshen, 人参) – 5 qian
* *Schisandrae Fructus* (Beiwuzizi, 北五味子) – 2 qian
Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, asthma stabilizes; after two doses, sweating stops; after three doses, expectoration decreases. Add *Trichosanthis Radix* (Tianguafen, 天花粉) 2 qian, *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术) 5 qian, *Angelicae Sinensis Radix* (Danggui, 当归) 3 qian, and *Paeoniae Radix Alba* (Baishao, 白芍) 5 qian, and continue taking for ten doses for full recovery.
Shengmai San is the supreme medicine for tonifying Qi. Tonifying Lung Qi naturally generates Kidney Water. With sufficient Water, Fire does not boil upward, allowing Dragon-Lei Fire to rest peacefully in the Kidney, eliminating the need to tonify the Kidney directly. Compared to asthma caused by Kidney injury, the severity difference is significant!
This condition is also excellently treated with Guiqi Tang (Return Qi Decoction):
* *Ophiopogonis Radix* (Maidong, 麦冬) – 3 liang
* *Schisandrae Fructus* (Beiwuzi, 北五味) – 3 qian
* *Rehmanniae Radix Preparata* (Shudi, 熟地) – 3 liang
* *Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma* (Baizhu, 白术) – 2 liang
Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, sweating stops; after ten doses, full recovery occurs.