Phlegm turbidity obstructing the lung

A disease pattern arising when phlegm turbidity congests the airways and impairs lung qì diffusion and depuration. The main signs are cough with copious sticky white phlegm that is easily ejected. Other signs include oppression in the chest and panting and phlegm rale in severe cases. The tongue is pale with white slimy fur. The pulse is slippery.

Medicinal therapy: Transform phlegm turbidity; depurate the lung and relieve cough. Use Lung-Clearing Beverage (清肺饮 qīng fèi yǐn) with additions.

Analysis: When phlegm turbidity obstructs the lung, lung qì ascends counterflow, hence cough with copious sticky white phlegm that is easily expectorated. Phlegm turbidity is a tangible evil; when it obstructs the lung, it affects the upward, downward, inward and outward movement of qì, hence the oppression in the chest, panting, and phlegm rale. The pale tongue with white slimy fur, and the slippery pulse are both signs of phlegm turbidity causing internal obstruction.

Comparison:

• Yáng vacuity water flood: The main signs of phlegm turbidity obstructing the lung are copious phlegm, cough, and panting. The chief signs of yáng vacuity water swelling are water swelling, fear of cold, and cold limbs. Phlegm turbidity obstructing the lung is a repletion pattern. Yáng vacuity water swelling is a vacuity pattern complicated by repletion.
• Pulmonary welling-abscess of the lung: Phlegm turbidity obstructing the lung is marked by copious phlegm, cough, and panting. Welling-abscess (yōng) of the lung is marked by chest pain, generalized heat, and expectoration of fishy-smelling pus and blood. The two are easily distinguished.