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Source: Shè Shēn Zhòng Miào Fāng 摄生众妙方

Ingredients:

• Bái guǒ (白果 Ginkgo Semen, ginkgo [nut]) (with husk removed) 5–7 pieces
• Má huáng (麻黄 Ephedrae Herba, ephedra) 6–9g
• Xìng rén (杏仁 Armeniacae Semen, apricot kernel) 6–9g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) 3–4.5g
• Sū zǐ (苏子 Perillae Fructus, perilla fruit) 6–9g
• Sāng bái pí (桑白皮 Mori Cortex, mulberry bark) 6–9g
• Huáng qín (黄芩 Scutellariae Radix, scutellaria [root]) 6–9g
• Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]) 6–9g
• Kuǎn dōng huā (款冬花 Farfarae Flos, coltsfoot) 6–9g

Action: Diffuses the lung and calms panting; clears heat and transforms phlegm.

Indication: Phlegm-heat wheezing and panting, cough, rapid breathing, and copious yellow phlegm. This formula is designed for wind-cold fettering the outer body with phlegm-heat brewing in the inner body (the latter being the most prominent). If there is no phlegm-heat or if the patient has a weak pulse and signs of qì vacuity, this formula should not be used.

Category: Qì-rectifying formulas / Qì-downbearing formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Má huáng diffuses the lung and disperses cold, as well as downbearing counterflow and calming panting. Bái guǒ transforms phlegm and relieves cough. It also constrains the lung and calms panting. The dispersing and contracting effects of the two agents are mutually complementary, ensuring that the therapeutic action is not achieved at the expense of damage to lung qì. Zǐ sū zǐ, Xìng rén, Bàn xià, and Kuǎn dōng huā downbear qì and transform phlegm. Sāng bái pí combined with Huáng qín clears lung heat, as well as precipitating qì and calming panting. Finally, the Gān cǎo harmonizes all the agents of the formula and helps to transform phlegm.

Variations: Copious phlegm: Add Hǎi fú shí (海浮石 Costaziae Os/Pumex, costazia bone/pumice), Jú hóng (橘红 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum, red tangerine peel), and Guā lóu pí (瓜蒌皮 Trichosanthis Pericarpium, trichosanthes rind).

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