"Qianhu Yin" for Cough and Asthma Due to Lung Heat with Profuse Phlegm
The Shengji Zonglu contains a formula named Qianhu Yin. Its composition is: Qianhu (Peucedani Radix, peucedanum) 45 g; Beimu (fritillary bulb, pith removed) and Baiqian (Cynanchi Stauntonii Rhizoma et Radix, cynanchum) 30 g each; Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix, ophiopogon, pith removed, baked) 45 g; Zhiqiao (immature bitter orange, pulp removed, stir-fried with bran) 30 g; Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra, red peony) and Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, ephedra, root and nodes removed) 45 g each; Dahuang (rhubarb, steamed) 30 g. Coarsely grind the herbs; take 9 g each time, decoct in 150 ml water down to 100 ml, strain, and take warm after meals, twice daily.
This formula clears the lung and resolves phlegm, stops cough and calms asthma. It is indicated for lung-heat cough with profuse, obstructing phlegm and restless panting. Copious sputum with cough and wheezing is mostly due to impaired oxygenation from various causes; common causes include acute infection, acute bronchial asthma, and acute exacerbation of wheezy bronchitis. In addition, patients with heart disease or hypertension who develop acute cardiac insufficiency can also present with these symptoms. Patients with advanced cancer who develop pulmonary metastases or pulmonary infection may also show these symptoms. All such patients can use this formula for symptomatic supportive treatment.
Traditional TCM holds that this type of disease is caused by exuberant lung heat, so clearing lung heat must be combined with expelling phlegm, stopping cough and calming asthma. Qianhu, Maimendong, Baiqian, Beimu, Mahuang, and Chishao in the formula all clear lung heat, resolve phlegm, stop cough and calm asthma. The lung and the large intestine are interior-exteriorly related, so lung heat also causes heat to linger in the large intestine; treatment must address both the exterior and the interior. Thus Zhiqiao is added to move qi and resolve stagnation, and Dahuang to purge accumulation and clear heat and fire. Only such a composition can achieve symptomatic treatment. Once the patient's symptoms ease, the immune system can help further recovery.