Term
| Bensky description of Herbs that Transform Phlegm and stop coughing. |
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Definition
| In TCM, the term phlegm (tan), and the related term thin mucus (yin - also translated as congested fluids and rheum), refer to a pathological accumulation of thickening fluids which is caused by a disorder of the fluid metabolism or an obstruction to the transportation of fluids. These accumulations can occur in many parts of the body including the respiratory and digestive tracts, channels and collaterals, and muscles and integument. Phlegm is usually caused by one of four mechanisms. Spleen deficiency, or inactivity of the Spleen yang, often leads to stasis of fluids and dampness, which can transform into phlegm. This mechanism is reflected in the adage that Spleen is the source of phlegm. This is the reason that many of the herbs that leach out dampness and strengthen the Spleen are found in prescriptions for treating phlegm. In other cases, pathogenic heat, or cold that has transformed into heat-congeals the fluids, which leads to phlegm. THis, plus the fact that one of the most commonly seen manifestations of phlegm is sputum in the Lungs, is the basis for the adage that the Lungs are the receptacle for the storage of phlegm. Most of the herbs that transform phlegm are accordingly thought to act upon this organ. For this reason, herbs that transform phlegm are usually discussed in the same chapter as those that stop coughing and calm wheezing. The third mechanism is Kidney deficiency. This can interfere with the organ's ability to control the fluids, which can then overflow, leading to phlegm. The fourth mechanism is Liver qi blockage or constraint. The Liver may be indirectly responsible for the generation of phlegm, as when it fails to facilitate the transporative and transformative functions of the Spleen; or it can be directly responsible, when qi fails to circulate smoothly, slowing the circulation of body fluids, which congeal and thicken into phlegm. Zhu Zhen-Heng underlined the importance of this factor: Those who treat phlegm effectively do not treat the phlegm, but first treat the qi. When the circulation of qi is smooth and ordered, this will lead to the smooth and ordered circulation of body fluids. It is important to remember that the meaning of phlegm in TCM is not limited to the presence of sputum in the Lungs. As noted by the Yuan dynasty, phsycian Wang Gui, "Phlegm is the mother of a hundred diseases." Phlegm is often implicated in such diverse disorders as seizures, convulsions, scrofula, goiter, back pain, and some chronic skin problems. When phlegm accumulates in the Lungs, there will be coughing, wheezing, a stifling sensation in the chest, or pain in the ribs. The treatment principle here is to open the Lungs and transform the phlegm, for which herbs that eliminate phlegm and stop coughing would be prescribed. When phlegm accumulates in the Stomach, there will be nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or epigastric distention, sometimes accompanied by cough. The treatment principle is to harmonize the Stomach and transform the phlegm. When phlegm stagnates in the channels various disorders can arise including scrofula, and goiter which are attributed to phlegm-fire. In modern biomedicine these disorders would encompass chronic lymphadenitis and simple goiter. The treatment principle is to soften the hardness and reduce the phlegm. Turbid phlegm obstructs the orifice of the Heart and causes wind-stroke, coma, lockjaw, and contracted limbs, symptoms associated with such problems as cerebral vascular accident and certain seizure disorders. The treatment principle is to disperse the wind and expel the phlegm. Bear in mind that phlegm is a secondary pathogen. While it demands our attention, its underlying cause must be addressed to provide optimal treatment. Rarely will problems associated with phlegm be addressed soley with herbs that treat phlegm. The Ming dynasty writer Zhang Jie-Bin observed in this regard that "Those who are good at treating phlegm prevent it from being generated; otherwise they are skilled in aiding early death!" Some of the herbs that transform phlegm are expectorants that intensely stimulate the Lungs. These herbs should not be used in patients with hemoptysis. For the type of cough that accompanies the early stage of measles, herbs that lightly spread the Lung qi are of primary importance. In treating this disorder, herbs that stop coughing - especially those that are warm or have binding properties - should not be used. |
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Term
| Herbs that cool and transform phlegm heat |
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Definition
| The herbs in this section are cold in nature and are used for treating phlegm-heat and dry-phlegm. In addition to coughs, these herbs are used in the treatment of scrofula, goiter, and convulsions caused by phlegm-heat. From a modern biomedical perspective, they have expectorant, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties. |
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Term
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Definition
Bitter, Acrid, Slightly Cold
Lung
1. Directs qi downward and dispels phlegm: cough or wheezing with thick sputum due to turbid clogging of the Lungs
2. Disperses and scatters wind-heat: Exterior patterns of externally- contracted wind-heat with headache and cough. Most suitable when wind-heat constrains the Lungs.
Bill's key words: WIND-HEAT!!!!
(Extras: Qian Hu releases the exterior, and can be used for exterior or interior conditions. great if not sure where pathogen is.
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Term
Chuan Bei Mu
Frittilariae cirrhosae Bulbus |
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Definition
Bitter, Sweet, Sl. Cold
Heart, Lung
1. Clears heat and transforms phlegm: many types of cough, chiefly chronic cough, cough with signs of fire due to yin deficiency, cough with slight sputum that is difficult to expectorate, or cough with constrained qi, manifested in a reduced appetite and a stifling sensation in the chest and upper abdomen.
2. Clears heat and dissipates nodules: Disorders in which phlegm-fire collects and produces nodules, sores, swellings, scrofula, and Lung or breast abscess.
(CHRONIC COUGH, NOURISHES YIN!) |
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Term
Zhe Bei Mu
Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus |
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Definition
Bitter, Cold
Heart, Lung
1. Clears and transforms phlegm heat: acute Lung heat patterns with productive cough.
2. Clears heat and dissipates nodules: Phlegm-fire which congeals and causes neck swellings. Also important for Lung and breast abscess and swellings.
Bill's Key: ACUTE LUNG HEAT COUGH |
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Term
Gua Lou
Trichosanthis Fructus |
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Definition
Sweet, Cold
Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine
1. Clears heat and transforms phlegm heat: heat induced coughs with sputum that is thick and difficult to expectorate. Can be used as a stand-alone herb, especially in children (it is sweet)
2. Unbinds the chest and dissipates nodules: Conditions in which qi accumulates in the chest leading to a stifling or distended sensation, constriction, pain, or pressure in the diaphragm
3. reduces abscesses and dissipates nodules: Primarily for abscesses involving the Lungs, Intestines, or breast.
Bills Key: PHLEGM HEAT, can be used alone for kids. |
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Term
Gua Lou Pi
Trichosanthis Pericarpium |
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Definition
Sweet, Cold
Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine
1. Clears the Lungs and transforms phlegm: phlegm-heat in the chest or dry cough with difficult-to expectorate sputum and DRY THROAT due to wind-heat
2. Regulates the QI and expands the chest: chest painful obstruction, clumping in the chest, and the early stages of breast abscess.
Bills key: DRY SORE THROAT! |
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Term
Gua Lou Ren
Trichosanthis Semen |
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Definition
Sweet, Cold
Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine
1. Clears heat and transforms phlegm heat: Phlegm-heat couth. Both cools and moistens. Esp. useful for cough with chest pain and thick, difficult to expectorate sputum.
2. Expands the chest: accumulation of phlegm in the chest leading to a stifling sensation, pain, or diaphragmatic pressure.
3. Moistens the Intestines: Dry constipation, espcially when it appears in a pattern of Lung heat with dry mouth, thirst, and irritability.
4. Promotes healing of sores: used adjunctively for breast abscess and swelling as well as sores that have not yet suppurated.
Bills key: Constipation |
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Term
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Definition
Sweet, Cold
Heart, Lung,Stomach
1. Clears heat, transforms phlegm, penetrates to the channels: Phlegm obstructing the Heart (sensory) orificies. Signs include fainting, paralysis of the hands or feet, or hemiplegia.
2. Transforms phlegm heat and stops cough: Used in small doses as a powerful adjunctive herb for treating cough due to phlegm-heat
Bills key: Phlegm misting the heart. |
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Term
Zhu Ru
Bambusae Caulis in taenium |
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Definition
Sweet, Slightly Cold
Lung, Stomach, Gallbladder
1. Clear and transform phlegm-heat: Heat in the Lungs with viscous sputum, stifling sensation in the chest, or coughing up blood. Also for Gallbladder fire harboring phlegm and phlegm-heat.
2. Clears heat and stops vomiting: Vomiting of bitter or sour matter due to heat in the Stomach with bad breath, aversion to heat, and a yellow, greasy tongue. The Stormach heat can be due to either excess or deficiency. this herb is very effective at stopping vomiting and can be used, with other appropriate herbs, in treating other types of vomiting including that associated with morning sickness.
Bills key: stops vomiting |
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Term
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Definition
Salty, Cold
Lung
1. Clears heat from the Lungs and transforms phlegm: Heat accumulation in the Lungs with thick sputum that is difficult to expectorate; cough with blood. Most commonly used for long term disorders.
2. Softens hardness and dissipates phlegm nodules: Scrofula (TB in the neck; affects some AIDS patients) and similar disorders caused by phlegm fire.
3. Promotes urination, as it unblocks the upper source of water: Hot or stony painful urinary dribbling.
Bills key: Nodules, promotes urination |
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Term
Qing Meng Shi
Chloritti Lapis
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Definition
Sweet, Salty, Neutral
Liver, Lung Stomach
1. Directs qi downward and reduces phlegm: chronic wheezing and cough due to old and stubborn phlegm that has become especially visccous and clumped. Also used for severe food stagnation
2. Calms the Liver and supresses jitteriness and convulsions: withdrawal-mania, chronic convulsions, or severe palpitations due to clogging and disruption of phlegm-heat.
Bills key: psychiatric disorders and convulsions |
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Term
Hai Ge Ke (Ge Qiao)
Meretricis Concha |
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Definition
Bitter, Salty, Cold
Lung, Stomach
1. Clears heat and transforms phlegm: Cough and wheezing due to phlegm-heat or constrained clumping of phlegm-fire, which impairs the Lungs' clarifying and descending functions. Manifestations include viscous yellow sputum that is difficult to expectorate accompanied by chest and rib pain.
2. Softens hardness an dissipates nodules: phlegm-fire goiter and scrofula.
3. Promotes urination and expels dampness: Turbid painful urinary dribbling and vaginal discharge. This effect is mild.
4. Controls acidity and stops pain: Used in its calcined, powdered form for epigastric pain and acid regurgitation. Currently used for pain due to excess stomach acid as well as gastric and duodenal ulcers (ancient rolaids :)
5. Mildly promotes urination: superficial edema and urinary dysfunction
Bills key: Stomach acid |
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Term
Kun Bu
(Eckloniae Thallus) |
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Definition
Salty, Cold
Kidney, Liver, Stomach
1. Reduces phlegm and softens areas of hardness: various kinds of nodules in the neck, such as scrofula or goiter, or a sensation of fullness and obstruction in the chest caused by phlegm. Recently used with substances that invigorate the blood and transform stasis for such conditions as thyroid tumors, tuberculous lymphadenitis, and cirrhosis.
2. Promotes urination and reduces swellings: Adjunctive herb for edema and leg qi (This action is weak). |
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Term
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Definition
Bitter, Salty, Cold
Kidney, Liver, Lung, Stomach
1. Reduces phlegm and softens areas of hardness: neck nodules such as goiter and scrofula. Also used for bulging disorders, especially those involving the scrotum and testicles.
2. Promotes urination and reduces edema: Adjunctive herb for edema due to leg qi or floating edema.
Bills key: thyroid nodules |
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Term
Pang Da Hai
(Sterculiae lychnophorae Semen)
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Definition
Sweet, Cold
Lung, Large Intestine
1. Clears and disseminiates Lung Qi: Sore throat, hoarseness, phlegm-heat cough, and constrained Lung qi. Used alone as a tea for hoarseness.
2. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels: mild to moderate constipation due to heat clumping in the Intestines, often with concurrent headache, red eyes, and fever. Can be used alone for mild cases.
3. Encourages the expression of rashes: Adjunctively, as an external wash, for incomplete expression of rashes.
Bills key: Laryngitis. |
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Term
Ming Dang Shen
Changrii Radix
sweet Sl bitter, cool, lung liver
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Definition
Sweet, Sl Bitter, Cool
Lung, Liver
1. Moistens the Lungs and transforms phlegm: Cough due to Lung heat damaging the yin, or cough due to externally contracted dryness with sputum that is difficult to expectorate.
2. Nourishes the stomach and harmonizes the middle: damaged stomach fluids in the aftermath of a febrile disease with reduced appetite, dry mouth, and belching.
Bills key: LUng or St Yin xu due to fire. |
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