Three Experience Formulas for Pulmonary Tuberculosis by Dr. Gao Guilin

Gao Guilin's Medical Cases, Clinical Discussions and Proven Formulas records several experience formulas of the late Beijing TCM physician Dr. Gao Guilin for treating pulmonary tuberculosis, all with high effective rates. Among them, three formulas use mild herbs with high safety, and are reprinted below:

Erdong Jizi Decoction (Two Ophiopogonis and Egg Decoction)

Mori Cortex (Sang Baipi), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Asparagi Radix (Tiandong), Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudi), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi), fritillary Bulb (Chuanbei), Asini Corii Colla (Ejiao), prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix (Fen Gancao), Armeniacae Semen (Xingren), and croci Stigma (Xihonghua), each two qian. Decoct in water and strain the residue; use the decoction to boil several eggs (the quantity determined by the patient's appetite). At noon, eat the medicinal eggs as a meal and do not eat other food.

According to Dr. Gao Guilin, he used this formula to treat 30 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, with good results. One patient had used more than 200 injections of streptomycin without effect, but was cured after 15 doses of this formula.

Modified Yangyin Qutan Decoction (Yin-Nourishing and Phlegm-Expelling Decoction)

Lonicerae Flos (Jinyinhua) three qian, Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong) three qian, raw Glycyrrhizae Radix (Sheng Gancao) three qian, Asteris Radix (Ziwan) one qian, Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi) two qian, Lilii Bulbus (Baihe) three qian, Farfarae Flos (Kuandonghua) two qian, Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu) one and a half qian, Cynanchi Atrati Radix (Baiwei) two qian, Asparagi Radix (Tiandong) one qian, Stemonae Radix (Baibu) one qian. Decoct in water for oral use. Add Ossis Mastodi Fossilia (Longgu) and Ostreae Concha (Muli) for those with profuse sweating; add Bletillae Rhizoma (Baiji, ground into powder and swallowed with the decoction), Nelumbinis Nodulus (Oujie) and fresh Cirsii Japonici (Xian Daji) for those with hemoptysis; add Citri Exocarpium Rubrum (Juhong) for those with excessive phlegm; add Armeniacae Semen (Xingren) for cough.

Dr. Gao Guilin stated that the above formula cured 7 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Erdong Ermu Decoction (Two Ophiopogonis and Two Fritillary Decoction)

Asparagi Radix (Tiandong) three qian, Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong) five qian, Fritillariae Bulbus (Chuanbei) two qian, Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi) three qian, Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen) five qian, Lonicerae Flos (Jinyinhua) three qian, Trichosanthis Radix (Tianhuafen) five qian, fried Typhae Pollen (Chao Puhuang) three qian, Bletillae Rhizoma (Baiji) two qian, Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi) three qian, Mori Cortex (Sang Baipi) two qian, Perillae Fructus (Suzi) three qian, Armeniacae Semen (Xingren) one qian, Asini Corii Colla (Ejiao) three qian, Poria (Yun Fuling) three qian, Glycyrrhizae Radix (Gancao) one and a half qian, Rhizoma Phragmitis (Luweigen) three cun. Add Descurainiae Semen (Tinglizi) and Poria (Fuling) if the stool is dry.

Dr. Gao Guilin stated that the above formula cured 30 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Gao Guilin was a student of Shi Jinmo, and his approach to formulating prescriptions closely resembles that of Shi Jinmo; all three formulas above bear the imprint of Shi's style. The herbs are mild, and on careful consideration the selection is precise and apt, well worth learning. In recent years pulmonary tuberculosis has staged a comeback, and some patients prefer TCM treatment; these formulas may serve as a reference.