Qi Ye Bu Xia Yin: A TCM Formula for Qi Choking and a Blocked Throat
Qi obstructed in the chest with a blocked throat, even frequent vomiting, is commonly seen in acute gastroenteritis; some cancer patients also develop these symptoms during chemotherapy or targeted therapy. The author has previously introduced several formulas for relieving this symptom, and now introduces another called Qi Ye Bu Xia Yin.Qi Ye Bu Xia Yin comes from the Wen Tang Ji Yan Fang (Collected Proven Prescriptions of the Wen Hall). It is composed of: Pipaye (Eriobotryae Folium; hairs removed, cleaned, honey-roasted) 5 qian (15 g); Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium; white pith removed) 1.5 qian (4.5 g); fresh ginger, 3 slices. Decoct in water, strain out the dregs, and divide into two doses. This formula descends counterflow and harmonizes the stomach; it is a fine embodiment of the TCM ideals of simplicity, convenience, efficacy, and affordability in treating qi choking, nausea, and vomiting.The Pipaye in this formula is simply the leaf of the loquat. TCM holds that loquat leaf clears lung heat, resolves phlegm, and stops cough, and harmonizes the stomach, descends counterflow, and stops vomiting; it is used for lung-heat cough and wheezing, stomach-heat vomiting, and vexed heat with thirst. It is extremely easy to obtain, ubiquitous in rural areas where loquats are grown. However, the hairs on loquat leaves are mildly toxic and irritate the upper respiratory tract, worsening cough. So when loquat leaf is used medicinally, the hairs on the leaf surface must be brushed off, and after brushing the leaf must be rinsed several times with clean water. To better remove residual hairs, it is best to honey-roast the loquat leaf; prepared this way, it no longer irritates the upper respiratory tract.Chenpi is the most commonly used dual-use medicinal and edible Chinese herb. It is the dried peel of the tangerine, with the actions of strengthening the spleen, drying dampness, moving qi, and resolving phlegm. The Mingyi Bielu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians) says chenpi descends qi and stops vomiting. It improves hiccups, nausea, and vomiting arising from many diseases; besides that, it also promotes digestion. Many people like to brew chenpi tea or add some chenpi when stewing soup, precisely for its spleen-strengthening, digestion-promoting effects.Shengjiang is the ordinary fresh ginger we buy at the market for cooking; it is an excellent antiemetic. Some vomiting patients can stop their vomiting simply by slicing fresh ginger and holding a slice in the mouth.Simple formulas like Qi Ye Bu Xia Yin are easy to obtain, cheap, and low in side effects; they originally belonged essentially to the category of folk remedies. Yet such small folk remedies often have unexpected efficacy, and one should not dismiss them just because they are simple.