Phlegm cough

Cough caused by exuberant phlegm. A phlegm cough is a heavy turbid-sounding cough characterized by copious phlegm that is easily expectorated and relieved by expectoration. It is associated with oppression in the chest, reduced food intake, white slimy tongue fur, and a slippery floating pulse. It is attributed to phlegm-damp brewing internally and ascending to affect the lung.

Biomedical correspondence: This pattern may be observed in chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, and bronchodilatation.

Medicinal therapy: Use Two Matured Ingredients Decoction (二陈汤 èr chén tāng), add apricot kernel (Armeniacae Semen, 杏仁 xìng rén), fritillaria (Fritillariae Bulbus, 贝母 bèi mǔ), aster (Asteris Radix, 紫菀 zǐ wǎn), and coltsfoot (Farfarae Flos, 款冬花 kuǎn dōng huā).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on LU, SP, and ST. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport, 肺俞 fèi shù), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge, 丰隆 fēng lóng), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), CV-17 (Chest Center, 膻中 shān zhōng), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct, 中脘 zhōng wǎn), LU-9 (Great Abyss, 太渊 tài yuān), SP-3 (Supreme White, 太白 tài bái), and ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ); needle with drainage or with even supplementation and drainage, and, if appropriate, add moxa.