Dryness-heat cough

Cough attributed to damage to lung liquid by wind-heat or dryness qì and characterized by the absence of phlegm or scant sticky phlegm, ungratifying expectoration, dry nose and throat, and, in severe cases, by pain in the chest and rib-side, and in some cases by exterior signs such as physical cold and generalized heat.

Medicinal therapy: Clear the lung and moisten dryness with formulas such as Mulberry Leaf and Apricot Kernel Decoction (桑杏汤 sāng xìng tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on LU, LI, and KI. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport, 肺俞 fèi shù), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh, 尺泽 chǐ zé), LU-7 (Broken Sequence, 列缺 liè quē), and LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ). Needle with drainage and supplement KI-6 (Shining Sea, 照海 zhào hǎi). If the cause is wind-heat, add LI-11 (Pool at the Bend, 曲池 qū chí) and GV-14 (Great Hammer, 大椎 dà zhuī) and drain them.