Ch6 Herbs that transform cold phlegm

Question 1

Zhi Ban Xia ***
“processed ‘half summer’”
(pinellia rhizome)

Answer 1

Acrid, warm, slippery (& dry), and toxic but mildly so
LU, SP, ST
Dries Dampness, transforms phlegm (key herb for phlegm from cold or SP xu!), and causes rebellious Qi to descend (chest & middle jiao); stops vomiting & cough with copious sputum; Dissipates nodules and reduces clumps (in chest)
Caution for Pt with dry cough, sore throat from fire excess, or bleeding

Question 2

Zhi Ban Xia With Fu Ling, Chen Pi and Gan Cao

Answer 2

Called Er Chen Tang (2 olds decoction)

Basis for many formulas to treat phlegm. Especially in the chest and middle burner. With Qi rebellion and copious sputum

Question 3

Ban Xia preparation:

Zhi, Sheng, Jiang, Fa, and Qing

Answer 3

Sheng - unprepared, too toxic for internal use
Jiang - soaked and rinsed then boiled with fresh ginger. more mild than raw
Fa - soaked and rinsed, then soaked with gan cap and lime. More moderate than raw, can be used for phlegm with cold from xu and damp-heat
Qing (-shui) - soaked and rinsed, dried then boiled with alum and pulverized. good for weak patients

Question 4

Zhi Bai Fu Zi ***
“processed white appendage”
(Typhonium rhizome)

Answer 4

Acrid, sweet, warm, toxic
LV, SP, ST
Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, expels wind, stops spasms (Bells Palsy, hemiplegia, wind-stroke); Resolves toxicity and dissipates nodules; stops pain and itching for W-C-D Bi as well as damp skin problems like eczema
NOT during pregnancy. Toxic - use less than 5g/dose

Question 5

Bai Jie Zi ***

“White Mustard seed”

Answer 5

Acrid, warm
LU
Warms the LU, regulates Qi, expels phlegm for cough and cold phlegm, especially when chronic; Promotes movement of Qi, disperses clumps, unblocks the collaterals and stops pain

Question 6

Jie Geng ***
“Orange stem”
(balloon flower root)

Answer 6

Bitter, acrid, neutral
LU
Opens up and disseminates the LU Qi, dispels phlegm, and benefits the throat (for hot or cold phlegm); Pushes out Pus; Opens up and raises the LU qi while directing other herbs to upper regions of the body (as convoy)
NOT with chronic cough from xu or w/bloody cough

Question 7

Jie Geng With Gan Cao

Answer 7

Used to disseminate LU Qi, expel phlegm, resolve toxicity, and expel pus. For productive cough with swelling and pain of chest and flanks, when LU Qi mechanism is obstructed

Question 8

Jie Geng with Zi Su Geng

Answer 8

Gentle to restore Qi mechanism especially in weak, old, or pregnant patients. one herb raises, one direct downward. Relieve constraint in upper and middle jiaos, especially for cough, wheezing and stifling chest sensation

Question 9

Jie Geng Vs. Xing Ren

Answer 9

Both for LU Qi.
Xing Ren directs rebellious qi downward for cough and wheezing
Jie Geng raises and disseminates LU qi, benefits throat, expels phlegm

Question 10

Xuan Fu Hua ***
“rotated, upturned flower”
(inula flower)

Answer 10

BItter, acrid, salty, slightly warm
LV, LU, ST, SP
Reduces phlegm and promotes the dissipation of pathogenic water (for both warm and cold conditions); Redirects the Qi DOWNWARD (only flower!) and stops vomiting
NOT for dry cough from yin xu, or weak Pt with loose stools

Question 11

Xuan Fu Hua Vs. Zhi Ban Xia

Answer 11

Xuan Fu Hua directs rebellious Qi downward, breaks up clumps, and promotes movement of pathogenic water. Best for thick, difficult to expectorate phlegm, or flank pain
Zhi Ban Xia dries dampness to transform phlegm. Best for profuse, thin, clear copious phlegm

Question 12

Bai Qian ***
“white front”
(Cynanchum root and rhizome)

Answer 12

Acrid, sweet, slightly warm/neutral
LU
Redirects the Qi downward, dispels phlegm, and stops cough (copious sputum and gurgling in the throat); VERY IMPORTANT for LU qi blockage & stagnation
NOT for unproductive cough associated with LU xu (unless properly prepared) because strongly dispersing

Question 13

Bai Qian Vs. Qian Hu

Answer 13

used together for EPF W-H, both direct qi downward
Qian Hu cools, releases exterior, disperses wind, good for profuse phlegmy cough
Bai Qian sl. warm, for obstruction of LU with profuse phlegm and rattling of throat, stifling chest, acute wheezing

Question 14

Zhi Tian Nan Xing **
“Prepared star of the Southern heavens”
(arisaema rhizome)

Answer 14

Bitter, acrid, warm, toxic (strong herb)
LV, LU, SP
Dries (very drying!) dampness and expels phlegm (for thick gummy nasal congestion); Disperses wind phlegm and stops spasms (seizures, vertigo, tetany); Reduces swelling and alleviates pain (bi) - used topically fresh

Question 15

Zhi Tian Nan Xing with Fang Feng

Answer 15

Strengthen each others actions, for muscular tetany internally and also topically

Question 16

Zhi Tian Nan Xing Vs. Zhi Ban Xia

Answer 16

Zhi Ban Xia treats SP/ST dampness-phlegm, for nausea and focal distention
Zhi Tian Nan Xing very dispersing, great for W-P in channels and collaterals, reducing swelling

Question 17

Preparations of Zhi Tian Nan Xing:

Sheng, Zhi, Dan

Answer 17

Sheng - raw and toxic, only used topically
Zhi - processed, soaked in water and alum, then boiled with ginger. Greater phlegm transforming ability than fresh, less toxic
Dan - bile prepared. powdered herb added to sterilized cow, pig, or sheep bile, then fermented and steamed. Makes herb bitter and cool, for tremors, seizures and stroke from P-H

Question 18

Zao Jiao Ci **
“soap antler spur/spike”
(gleditisia thorn)

Answer 18

Acrid, warm
LV, ST, LU
Draws out toxicity, DISCHARGES PUS, invigorates the blood, and reduces swelling (for unsuppurated sores); Expels wind and kills parasites
NOT for open sores or during pregnancy