Tonify the Lungs with Ass-Hide Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
English Translation: Tonify the Lungs with Ass-Hide Decoction
Formula Type: Enrich the Yin and Moisten Dryness
Actions: Nourishes the yin, tonifies the Lungs, controls coughing, & stops bleeding.
Indications: Cough with wheezing, a dry & parched throat, scanty or blood-streaked sputum, a red tongue with little coating, & a floating, thin, & rapid pulse. This is Lung yin deficiency with vigorous heat, which disrupts the flow of Lung qi & results in cough wih wheezing.
Contraindications: Should not be used if there is Lung deficiency without heat, when there is any cold in the exterior, or when there is internal phlegm.
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E Jiao / Donkey Hide Gelatin |
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood |
Dosage3-15g pill or dissolved into strained decoction or wine |
Actions1. Tonifies the blood: for such symptoms as dizziness, sallow complexion, & palpitations due to blood deficiency.
2. Nourishes the blood & stops bleeding: for any type of bleeding, but is best for consumptive disorders with coughing of blood, blood in the stool, excessive menstrual bleeding, or uterine bleeding.
3. Nourishes & moistens the yin: for yin deficiency with such symptoms as irritability & insomnia in the aftermath of a febrile disease. Also used for dry Lung coughs due to yin deficiency or consumption. |
MeridiansKidney, Liver, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with exterior disorders. Use with caution in cases of Spleen &/or Stomach deficiency. May counteract da huang. |
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Ma Dou Ling / Birthwort fruit, Aristolochia fruit |
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Taste: Bitter, Slightly Acrid • Temperature: Cold • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Relieve Coughing & Wheezing |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Clears the Lungs, transforms phlegm, stops coughing, & calms wheezing: for coughing & wheezing due to either Lung heat or Lung deficiency accompanied by heat signs, as long as there is phlegm clogging the Lungs.
2. Recently used for hypertension when accompanied by lightheadedness & flushing.
3. Also used for bleeding hemorrhoids. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of diarrhea due to Spleen deficiency, cough due to cold from deficiency, or wheezing. May cause nausea & vomiting if the dosage is too large. |
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Xing Ren / Apricot Kernel |
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Relieve Coughing & Wheezing |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Stops coughing & calms wheezing: used quite broadly for many kinds of cough disorders caused by either heat or cold, depending on the combination. Because the herb is moist in nature, it is especially useful for externally contracted dry cough.
2. Moistens the Intestines & unblocks the bowels: this secondary use of the herb derives from its high oil content.
Apricot Kernel - Northern - Bei Xing Ren is bitter. It is better for cough due to heat (excess condition).
Apricot Kernel - Southern - Nan Xing Ren is sweeter. It is better for cough due to deficiency. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung |
CautionsUse with caution in treating infants & in cases of diarrhea. May antagonize huang qi, huang qin, & ge gen. Slightly toxic. |
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Niu Bang Zi / Burdock (Great) Fruit |
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Exterior Releasing - Cool • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Disperses wind-heat & benefits the throat: for externally contracted wind-heat patterns with such symptoms as fever, cough, & a sore, red, swollen throat.
2. Clears heat & relieves toxicity: for red swellings, carbuncles, erythemas, mumps, & acute febrile maculopapular rashes.
3. Vent rashes: for early stages of measles when there is incomplete expression of the rash.
4. Moistens Intestines: for wind-heat constipation. |
MeridiansLung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of qi deficiency & diarrhea, or open sores & carbuncles. |
Dosage information not currently available
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Zhi Gan Cao / Licorice Root, honey-baked |
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi |
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.
2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs.
3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically.
4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs.
5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels.
6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically.
7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |