Transforming phlegm and relieving cough

A method of treatment used to address cough and expectoration of phlegm using phlegm-transforming medicinals.

Phlegm-transforming medicinals that are warm in nature and indicated for cold phlegm and damp phlegm include white mustard (Sinapis Alba Semen, 白芥子 bái jiè zǐ)8, arisaema (Arisaematis Rhizoma, 天南星 tiān nán xīng), pinellia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 半夏 bàn xià), perilla seed (Perillae Semen, 苏子 sū zǐ), perilla seed (Perillae Fructus, 紫苏子 zǐ sū zǐ), tangerine peel (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 陈皮 chén pí), dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma, 干姜 gān jiāng), and gleditsia (Gleditsiae Fructus, 皂荚 zào jiá).

Phlegm-transforming medicinals that are cool in nature and indicated for heat phlegm and dryness phlegm include rorippa (Rorippae Herba seu Flos, 蔊菜 hān cài), lepidium/descurainiae (Lepidii/Descurainiae Semen, 葶苈子 tíng lì zǐ), fritillaria (Fritillariae Bulbus, 贝母 bèi mǔ), trichosanthes (Trichosanthis Fructus, 栝楼 guā lóu), arctium (Arctii Fructus, 牛蒡子 niú bàng zǐ), wax gourd seed (Benincasae Semen, 冬瓜子 dōng guā zǐ), and adenophora/glehnia (Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix, 沙参 shā shēn).

Medicinals more balanced in nature such as platycodon (Platycodonis Radix, 桔梗 jié gěng), apricot kernel (Armeniacae Semen, 杏仁 xìng rén), peucedanum (Peucedani Radix, 前胡 qián hú), aster (Asteris Radix, 紫菀 zǐ wǎn), and coltsfoot (Farfarae Flos, 款冬花 kuǎn dōng huā) can be used for most kinds of phlegm.

Among formulas, Minor Black Dragon Decoction (小青龙汤 xiǎo qīng lóng tāng) treats cold phlegm, and Two Matured Ingredients Decoction (二陈汤 èr chén tāng) is effective for damp phlegm. Lonicera and Phragmites Mixture (银苇合剂 yín wěi hé jì) may be used for heat phlegm, and Dryness-Clearing Lung-Rescuing Decoction (清燥救肺汤 qīng zào jiù fèi tāng) treats dryness phlegm. Cough-Stopping Powder (止嗽散 zhǐ sòu sǎn) is a general phlegm-transforming cough-relieving remedy.

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

See dispelling phlegm.