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Fritillaria and Trichosanthes Powder
贝母栝蒌散 〔貝母栝蔞散〕bèi mǔ guā lóu sǎn
Source: Yī Xué Xīn Wù 医学心悟
Ingredients:
- Bèi mǔ (贝母 Fritillariae Bulbus, fritillaria [bulb]) 9–12g
- Guā lóu (瓜蒌 Trichosanthis Fructus, trichosanthes [fruit]) 9–15g
- Tiān huā fěn (天花粉 Trichosanthis Radix, trichosanthes root) 9–12g
- Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) 6–9g
- Jú hóng (橘红 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum, red tangerine peel) 6–9g
- Jié gěng (桔梗 Platycodonis Radix, platycodon [root]) 3–6g
Action: Moistens the lung and transforms phlegm.
Indication: Lung dryness with phlegm, cough, difficult expectoration of phlegm, dry sore throat with sensation of blockage, and counterflow qì ascent causing hasty rapid panting.
Category: Phlegm-dispelling formulas / Dryness-moistening phlegm-transforming formula
Method: Decoct with water.
Rationale: Chuān bèi mǔ not only clears heat and moistens the lung but also transforms phlegm and relieves cough. Guā lóu not only clears the lung and moistens dryness but also loosens thick phlegm. Tiān huā fěn clears heat and engenders liquid, as well as helping the Guā lóu fruit to loosen phlegm. Jú hóng (the thin orange outer layer of tangerine skin) is included to downbear the qì counterflow that causes cough and panting, while Jié gěng diffuses the lung and dispels phlegm. These two agents thus help to restore diffusion and downbearing of lung qì. The Jú hóng also helps Fú líng to fortify the spleen, to make liquid rise to the lung and its dryness balances the moistness of Guā lóu.
Variations:
- Dry phlegm that is difficult to expectorate with
itchy throat Hoarse voice and phlegm flecked with blood: Add Shā shēn (沙参 Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix, adenophora/glehnia [root]) and Bái máo gēn (白茅根 Imperatae Rhizoma, imperata [rhizome]), and omit the Jú hóng (橘红 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum, red tangerine peel).- Dryness-heat with
sore throat : Add Xuán shēn (玄参 Scrophulariae Radix, scrophularia [root]), and Mài dōng (麦冬 Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon [root]). - Copious thick phlegm: Add
geke and Zhú lì (竹沥 Bambusae Succus, bamboo sap).