Class #: / 7 – Respiratory formula patents / Prof: / Dr. Liu
Patents for Respiratory Disorders
Lung system problems such as sinus allergies (eye problems, nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing [lung trying to purify the throat that is affected with phlegm/nasal drip]) and exterior syndromes (wind heat or wind cold, common cold, flu, etc.) affect the area from the throat up. This discussion however applies mainly to problems below the area of the throat and down into the lung. This is a deeper form of lung disorders.
Pathogens usually come with phlegm/mucous. Three organs have a specific relationship to phlegm.
Lung:
The Lung stores phlegm. Phlegm is often the cause for coughing. In this case coughing is a protective function. If this is the cause for a cough, you definitely don’t want to stop the cough…you want to resolve the phlegm that is causing the Lung to cough in it’s attempt to clear the phlegm in the passageways. If you supress this kind of cough you are also suppressing the Lung’s natural cleansing function. Herbs used in this case would be from the resolve phlegm/stop cough category.
Lung receives the clear Qi from the Spleen and disperses it to the whole body.
Spleen
Spleen is responsible for the creation of phlegm. Actually, it’s the lack of Spleen Qi that is responsible. This is why Er Chen Tang targets the middle jiao to resolve phlegm. More on that in a moment.
Spleen extracts the clear Qi from food and drink and sends it next to the Lung.
Kidney
Kidney drains excess damp. When it fails to do so there is more material from which the phelgm can form. A lack of Kidney qi will also contribute to asthma and the body’s inability to grasp the Qi of the breath.
You have a couple of pathways to resolve phlegm
- Drain damp/resolve phlegm
- Strengthen spleen when there is a lack of qi to resolve phlegm.
Basic Formulas for the Respiratory System
Er Chen Tang
This is a formula for dampness and phlegm. It targets the Lung and Middle Jiao and is a very basic formula. Many other formulas contain this building block type formula inside. As a matter of fact, it’s rarely used alone. (You might use it by itself when a kid’s diet – mostly dairy overload in the diet - has caused phlegm in the MJ and thus a cough.) Note that you don’t use this patent alone for chronic bronchitis in adults no matter what the 2nd slide says!
Jie Geng Wan
Also billed as Platycodon Pills. Jie Geng Wan is for pulmonary abscesses with yellow smelly sputum indicating toxic heat. It eliminates phlegm and phlegm damp in the respiratory system.
Bai He Gu Jin Wan
This is more about Lung yin xu causing the problem. (Bai he is lotus and nourishes yin.) This also clears heat. Yin xu + heat in the Lung = dry cough. Could also address coughing blood which can result from yin xu and heat in the lung. There’s a lot of blood that circulates through the lung for gas exchange, so there are 3 components of si wu tang (dang gui, bai shao, and shu di) also. This is also a typical patent to sue for TB – typically characterized by coughing with blood. This cools and supports the blood without moving it too much.
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Mai Wei Di Huang Wan is it’s other name. This is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan + mai dong + wu wei zi. This is for a chronic deficiency – the base is a liver/kidney yin xu but this formula guides to the lung. Wu wei zi astringes the Lung Qi, guides to lung, heart and kidney. Look for a chronic cough due to yin xu.
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang Jiang
Yin xu + cough. Stops dry hacking coughing and moistens the lung. This type of cough will not be barking or gurgling – that would indicate phlegm/damp. This can also treat liver rebelling against lung causing the lung yin xu when the liver fire flares up to the lung.
Li Fei Pian
Dong chong xia cao is very tonifying as is ge jie and bai he. This is for Lung qi and yin xu. It stops the cough and moistens the lung. Chronic dry cough resulting from Lung qi and yin xu. Also treats asthma due to Lung and Kidney qi xu, but not during an acute attack. You can also use after chemo.
Su zi Jiang Qi Wan
This is for acute below + excess above (key words). The excess here is cold phlegm in the Lung. The lower xu is Kidney yang xu. This formula eliminates phlegm/cold. Kidney yang xu = fail to support lung Qi and leads to asthma/sob. Might be used for emphysema and bronchitis with the right supporting diagnostic information.
Zhi Sou Ding Chuan Wan
Ma Shi Xing Gan Tang
Excess condition - asthma with heat. Stops cough by opening the Lung Qi and clearing heat from the Lung.
Xiao Ke Chuan
Just remember has man shan hong (aka zhi hua du juan). Treats the symptom of cough by descending lung qi and thus treats asthma. Treats acute or chronic cough w/accumulation of phlegm heat. Look for coughing with a lot of sputum due to common cold or flu.
Ping chuan wan
Tonifies lung qi which treats chronic SOB which has depleted Lung qi and yin. SOB will be worse in the evening or with exertion. Also for deep deep phlegm.
Excess + xu.
Chuan Ke Ling
This is for eliminating phlegm/heat and stopping cough. This refers to an interior heat.
Qing (or Ping) Fei Yi Huo Pian
Definitely for an excess conditions above the bronchii. This patent clears lung heat/fire due to Liver fire insulting the Lung. Lung heat is 80% and phlegm is 20%. Sometimes for really bad sinus infection as well. Da huang is included to clear the heat from the system via the bowel movement. Lung fire can express as tonsillitis, cough with a lot of sticky yellow phlegm, swollen hot painful burning throat, nose/mouth sores, toothache and boils, and thirst for cold drinks.
Forbidden for deficient or cold syndromes because these herbs are for excess and are very cold.
Qing Qi (chi) Hua Tan Wan
Here’s an example of a formula with er chen tang inside it. The name is “qi-clearing and phlegm-transforming.” This formula is for phlegm-heat accumulations in the Lung with an excess type cough, yellow phlegm that’s hard to get out, chest tightness. Also good for smokers and ex-smokers to help purify the Lung and expel phlegm from it. No special herbs for external phlegm and heat…see the next formula for that.
Tong Xuan Li Fei Pian
This has a lot of external invasion type herbs. It’s for cough – acute or chronic – and sore throat. Remember phlegm heat.
She Dan Chuan Bei Ye
Snake gallbladders and fritillaria….doesn’t that sound tasty? Chuan bei mu is for older phlegm, not stuff that was just generated. It’s also rather expensive. If your patient has ‘new’ phlegm, don’t use this. San she dan is the snake gallbladder which clears the heat. Xing ren helps with the cough. This formula is for sticky phlegm (acute or chronic) with heat causing cough and lung congestion. Might also have yellow nasal discharge. Works well for sticky stubborn phlegm in heat conditions and a barking cough.
Chuan Bei PiPa Lu (or Tang Jing)
Chuan bei mu, pi pa ye, bai bu, bo he nao (oil), jing jie + xing ren (for the cough) and yi tang. This is good for kids in liquid format because it tastes good, purifies. Stops cough, opens Lung qi all due to wind-heat. Chief sign is the cough.
Chuan Bei PiPa Gao
Tastes good, but has too much sugar. It’s very thick and sticky. Don’t give this one to kids or adults w/Spleen qu xu or can generate even more phlegm. Kids have more trouble expelling phlegm than adults do – hacking loogies and blowing the nose is an acquired skill! For kids, use the formula above or you’ll find they actually cough more.
That said, can stop cough, moisten the lung in the presence of phlegm, wind heat and yin xu.
Qi Guan Yan Wan
Bronchitis pills. Dr. Liu will ask which patent is for bronchitis, but won’t give the English version! Key: for bronchitis.
Lou Han Gou Chong Ji
For general throat area cough. Dry cough. Nourishes and moisten the Lung.
Patents – Summer 2010 – Class 7
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