Bufei Tang: A Lung-Tonifying Decoction for Deficiency Cough
Bufei Tang comes from the Puji Fang (Prescriptions for Universal Relief). It is composed of: Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex) and Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), each 2 liang (60 g); Renshen (Ginseng), Ziwan (Asteris Radix), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), each 1 liang (30 g). Grind these together into a coarse powder; for each dose take 3 qian (9 g), decoct in water, then add a small amount of honey to the decoction and take after meals.Bufei Tang tonifies the lung and kidney, clears fire, and resolves phlegm. It is mainly used for dual lung-kidney deficiency, presenting with consumptive cough, late-afternoon tidal fever, spontaneous and night sweating, copious phlegm with cough and wheezing. It may also be used for deficiency-consumption (i.e., what we today call immunocompromised people), presenting with fatigue, shortness of breath, easy sweating, and susceptibility to colds, with a soft, forceless pulse; this formula has a good preventive effect against colds in patients with chronic disease and weakened immunity. Today it is often used for upper respiratory infection, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma, common cold, allergic rhinitis, and lung cancer, provided the pattern is lung-kidney yin deficiency; robust people should not take it.In this formula, Sangbaipi discharges lung heat, calms wheezing, stops cough and resolves phlegm, and promotes urination to relieve edema; Shudihuang nourishes kidney yin. These two together serve as sovereign herbs, one attacking and one tonifying, combining attack and tonification. Renshen strongly bolsters original qi, and Huangqi boosts qi and secures the exterior; together with Shudihuang they support the righteous and consolidate the root. Ziwan resolves phlegm and stops cough, and Wuweizi anchors qi and calms wheezing; together with Sangbaipi they stop cough and wheezing and expel pathogen to treat the branch. This formula fully embodies the holistic view of TCM treatment.For severe cough and wheezing, one may add Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Kuandonghua (Farfarae Flos), Jinqiaomai (Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen), and Pipaye (Eriobotryae Folium) to strengthen the cough-stopping effect. For heavy sweating, combine this formula with Yupingfeng San (Jade-Screen Powder), adding Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Baizhu, Fuxiaomai (Tritici Levis Fructus), Nuodaogen (Orycis Radix), and Bitaogan (immature Peach fruit). For severe kidney yin deficiency with low back pain and a salty taste in the mouth, add Shanyurou (Corni Fructus) and Huaishanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) to nourish kidney yin. For severe lung yin deficiency with dry mouth and dry cough, add Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Tiandong (Asparagi Radix), Yuzhu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), Huangjing (Polygonati Rhizoma), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Jiaogulan (Gynostemmatis Herba), and Baihe (Lilii Bulbus). For lung heat with yellow, sticky sputum, add Huangqin, Gualou (Trichosanthes Fructus), and Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taenias) to clear heat and resolve phlegm. For abundant, easily coughed-up phlegm, combine with Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction), adding Banxia, Dannanxing (Arisaema cum Bile), Chenpi, and Fuling. For cough with blood, add Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma), Ejiao (Asini Corii Colla), Xianhecao (Agrimoniae Herba), Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix), Qingdai, and Ge-fen to clear the lung and stop bleeding. For steaming bone tidal fever, add Mohanlian, Nüzhenzi, Biejia (Trionycis Carapax), Qinghao, Digupi, and Mudanpi to cool blood and clear heat.Patients with deficiency cough generally have a long, lingering, easily relapsing course and should not take a decoction for prolonged periods. According to their own situation, they may use Bufei Tang as a base formula, work out an individualized combination that suits them and works well, and then have that combination made into honey pills, taking about 10 g each morning and evening, progressing slowly.