Phlegm lodged in the chest and rib-side

Also phlegm collecting in the chest and rib-side. Phlegm lodged in the chest and rib-side is composed of stubborn phlegm and accumulated rheum that form a soft mass called an afflux pouch. Phlegm lodged in the chest and rib-side is characterized by pain in the chest and rib-side exacerbated by coughing, panting, and turning over in bed, There is rapid breathing and expectoration of white phlegm and drool. There may also be fullness and distension in the chest and rib-side, swelling of the face, and a stringlike sunken pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Transform rheum and expel phlegm. Commonly used rheum-transforming agents include ephedra (Ephedrae Herba, 麻黄 má huáng), cinnamon twig (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 桂枝 guì zhī), asarum (Asari Rhizoma et Radix, 细辛 xì xīn), dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma, 干姜 gān jiāng), aconite (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata, 附子 fù zǐ), and white mustard (Sinapis Alba Semen, 白芥子 bái jiè zǐ). Phlegm-expelling medicinals include lepidium/descurainiae (Lepidii/Descurainiae Semen, 葶苈子 tíng lì zǐ), kansui (Kansui Radix, 甘遂 gān suì), euphorbia/knoxia (Euphorbiae seu Knoxiae Radix, 大戟 dà jǐ), and morning glory (Pharbitidis Semen, 牵牛子 qiān niú zǐ). A commonly used formula is Minor Black Dragon Decoction (小青龙汤 xiǎo qīng lóng tāng), which can be combined with Lepidium/Descurainiae and Jujube Lung-Draining Decoction (葶苈大枣泻肺汤 tíng lì dà zǎo xiè fèi tāng) or Drool-Controlling Elixir (控涎丹 kòng xián dān).