Phlegm-damp obstructing the lung

Disturbance of diffusion and downbearing of lung qì attributed to phlegm-damp congesting the lung. The lung is the receptacle that holds phlegm, whereas the spleen is the source of phlegm formation. When splenic movement is impaired, dampness gathers and forms phlegm, which affects the lung. Phlegm-damp obstructing the lung manifests as cough and panting exacerbated by physical movement, phlegm-drool congestion, thin white phlegm that is easily expectorated, fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, a slimy or glossy white tongue fur and a moderate soggy pulse.

Biomedical correspondence: This pattern is observed in chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

Treatment

Medicinal therapy: Use Two Matured Ingredients Decoction (二陈汤 èr chén tāng) combined with Stomach-Calming Powder (平胃散 píng wèi sǎn) and Three-Seed Filial Devotion Decoction (三子养亲汤 sān zǐ yǎng qīn tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on LU, SP, and ST. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport, 肺俞 fèi shù), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh, 尺泽 chǐ zé), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge, 丰隆 fēng lóng), CV-22 (Celestial Chimney, 天突 tiān tú), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), CV-17 (Chest Center, 膻中 shān zhōng), PC-6 (Inner Pass, 内关 nèi guān), 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 supplementation and moxa, if appropriate.

Comparison: Phlegm turbidity obstructing the lung is similar, but associated with thick sticky phlegm. See phlegm turbidity. See also phlegm obstructing the network vessels of the lung.