Cold rheum lying latent in the lung

One form of propping rheum, characterized by cough counterflow, panting, and fullness preventing the patient from lying flat, attributable to rheum evil ascending to invade the lung and preventing normal downbearing of lung qì. It is a persistent condition, episodes of which are brought on or exacerbated by exposure to cold and which are characterized by heat effusion and aversion to cold, back pain, lumbar pain, and copious foamy white phlegm. The tongue is white and glossy, and the pulse is stringlike and tight. There may also be swelling of the face and instep.

Medicinal therapy: Warm the lung and transform rheum with formulas such as Minor Black Dragon Decoction (小青龙汤 xiǎo qīng lóng tāng).

See rheum.