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Dryness phlegm

燥痰 〔燥痰〕zào tán

Also qì phlegm. A phlegm pattern attributable to lung dryness due either to contraction of dryness evil or to lung (or lung-kidney) yīn vacuity, and characterized by scant white phlegm or phlegm like grains of rice that is difficult to expectorate, and a withered-white complexion, parched skin, dry mouth, tongue, throat, and nose, cough and hasty panting. The phlegm may be flecked with blood.

Medicinal therapy: Clear the heat and moisten dryness. For dryness evil, use Mulberry Leaf and Apricot Kernel Decoction (桑杏汤 sāng xìng tāng) for mild cases and Dryness-Clearing Lung-Rescuing Decoction (清燥救肺汤 qīng zào jiù fèi tāng) for more severe cases. Fritillaria and Trichosanthes Powder (贝母栝蒌散 bèi mǔ guā lóu sǎn) can also be used. For lung yīn depletion, use Yīn-Nourishing Lung-Clearing Decoction (养阴清肺汤 yǎng yīn qīng fèi tāng). For lung-kidney yīn depletion, use variations of Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill (六味地黄丸 liù wèi dì huáng wán).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on LU and KI. Drain BL-13 (Lung Transport, 肺俞 fèi shù), CV-17 (Chest Center, 膻中 shān zhōng), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh, 尺泽 chǐ zé), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí), and CV-22 (Celestial Chimney, 天突 tiān tú); and supplement KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi). For pronounced lung or (lung-kidney) depletion, supplement BL-23 (Kidney Transport, 肾俞 shèn shù), BL-43 (Gāo-Huāng Transport, 膏肓俞 gāo huāng shù), KI-3 (Great Ravine, 太溪 tài xī), TB-2 (Humor Gate, 液门 yè mén), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), and drain KI-1 (Gushing Spring, 湧泉 yǒng quán), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion, 少府 shào fǔ), and LU-11 (Lesser Shang, 少商 shào shāng). For blood-flecked phlegm, drain LU-10 (Fish Border, 鱼际 yú jì) and LU-6 (Collection Hole, 孔最 kǒng zuì). Compare heat phlegm.

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