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Wind-cold, Fire (primarily to descend Fire), Consumption (Lao), Lung Distension, Fire Stagnation, Phlegm (primarily to resolve Phlegm).

Dai Yun said: Wind-cold is characterized by nasal congestion, heavy voice, and aversion to cold; Fire is characterized by a hoarse sound, scanty phlegm, and red face; Consumption is characterized by night sweats, and when accompanied by phlegm, it often presents with alternating chills and fever; Lung Distension is characterized by panting and chest fullness upon exertion,急促 breathing, and heavy respiration; Phlegm cough is characterized by the sound of phlegm as soon as coughing starts, and the cough stops when the phlegm is expectorated. These five are general categories, but one must also clarify whether they apply accurately.

For wind-cold, the method is to move phlegm and open the interstices (Cou Li). Use Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) added with Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Xingren (Prunus Semen), and Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix).

For Fire, the method is to descend Fire, clear Metal (clear Lung heat), and resolve phlegm.

For Consumption, add Zhuli (Bamboo Sap) and Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice) to Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction). The primary treatment must be to tonify Yin.

For cough due to Lung Distension, use Hezi (Terminalia Chebula Fruit), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), and Xingren (Prunus Semen). Hezi can regulate Lung Qi because extreme injury by Fire leads to stagnation and distension; its sour and bitter taste has the effect of astringing and descending Fire. Assist with Haige Fen (Arca Shell Powder), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), and Banxia Qu (Pinelliae Fermented Powder).

For cough and fever caused by food retention generating phlegm, Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma) are the Sovereign herbs, Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit) and Luobozhi (Raphani Semen) are the Minister herbs, and Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) and Shijian (Calcined Sodium Bicarbonate) are the Envoy herbs.

For cough due to Fire Stagnation, use Hezi (Terminalia Chebula Fruit), Haishi (Fossilized Wood or Arca Shell), Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), and Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome).

For cough with hoarseness, this is due to Blood deficiency and Heat invasion. Use Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) and Gefen (Clam Shell Powder), mixed with honey for administration.

For chronic cough with Wind invading the Lung, grind Eguanshi (Tube Bone Stone), Xionghuang (Realgar), Yujin (Curcuma Rhizome), and Kuaodonghua (Farfarae Flos) into powder, mix with Mugwort, place a slice of fresh Ginger on the tongue, and moxa-burn until the smoke enters the throat.

Dry cough is difficult to treat. This belongs to the syndrome of Fire Stagnation, where Phlegm and Fire pathogenic factors are stagnant in the middle. Use Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) to open and lift, and use methods to tonify Yin and descend Fire below. If it does not cease, it will develop into Consumption; Dao Cang Fa (Stomach Purging Method) is suitable. This condition often occurs in those who are frustrated or dissatisfied.

For cough with hypochondriac pain, one should soothe Liver Qi, using formulas such as those containing Qingpi (Citrus Reticulata Pericarpium Viride). Later, add Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), and Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice) to Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction).

Medicines for treating cough generally use much Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) because of its acrid dispersing nature.

Cough occurring mostly in the first half of the day belongs to Fire in the Stomach. Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus) and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) can descend Stomach Fire.

Cough occurring mostly in the afternoon belongs to Yin deficiency. One must use Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) to first descend the Fire.

Cough occurring mostly at dawn (Wu Geng) belongs to food retention in the Stomach, which flows into the Lung Metal at this time. Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Digupi (Dictamni Cortex) descend Lung Fire.

When Fire Qi floats in the Lung, cool medicines should not be used; instead, use Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) and Wubeizi (Galla Chinensis) to astringe and descend it. When Phlegm rises due to rebellious Fire, treat the Fire first, then treat the Phlegm.

For severe Lung deficiency, use Shengshen Gao (Ginseng Paste); this is seen in cases of Kidney deficiency due to excessive sexual indulgence. Assist with Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and Chenpi (Citrus Reticulata Pericarpium). Generally, if there is Phlegm, add phlegm-resolving medicines.

Treating cough often uses Sangpiao Xiao (Poppy Capsule) without doubt, but one must first address the root cause, as this is an astringent medicine used after the pathogen is cleared. The Master said: Coughs in the Yin aspect mostly belong to Yin deficiency and should be treated accordingly.

Cough with Lung distension and obstruction preventing sleep is difficult to treat.

Smoke Tube for Treating Cough:
Ercao (Petasitae Herba), Kuaodonghua (Farfarae Flos), Eguanshi (Tube Bone Stone).
Grind these into powder, roll in paper, burn to inhale the smoke; or mix with warm water for oral administration.

To treat cough with Phlegm, moxa-burn Tiantu (CV 22) and Feishu (BL 13). To treat cough by draining Fire and Heat and greatly draining Lung Qi, the point is located one and a half cun lateral to the transverse process below the third thoracic vertebra.

Cough: In Spring, due to ascending Qi, use clearing medicines, such as Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) added with Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba) and Jingjie (Schizonepetae Spica); in Summer, due to Fire flaming upward, prioritize Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Lianqiao (forbidden context? No, Lian Qiao is Forsythiae, here likely Huanglian Coptidis Rhizoma based on "Qin, Lian"); in Autumn, Damp-Heat injures the Lung; in Winter, Wind-Cold comes from outside, so use dispersing medicines, and afterwards, Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) must eliminate the Phlegm so that it does not return.

Another Formula: A potent medicine for treating cough.
Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus, 0.5 liang), Wubeizi (Galla Chinensis, 1 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 2.5 qian), Fenghuaxiao (Natrii Sulfas Efflorescens, 1 qian). Grind into powder, form pills with honey, and hold in the mouth to dissolve.