Arrest Wheezing Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Ding Chuan Tang
English Translation: Arrest Wheezing Decoction
Formula Type: Direct Rebellious Qi Downward
Actions: Disseminates & redirects the Lung qi, arrests wheezing, clears heat & transforms phlegm.
Indications: Coughing & wheezing with copious, thick, & yellow sputum, labored breathing, a greasy, yellow tongue coating, & a slippery, rapid pulse. There may also be simultaneous fever & chills.
Contraindications: Inappropriate in cases of externally-contracted wind-cold that present with an absence of sweating & internal phlegm-heat. Also inappropriate in cases of chronic asthma with qi deficiency & a frail pulse.
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Bai Guo / Ginkgo Nut |
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Taste: Sweet, Bitter, Astringent • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Stabilize & Bind • Sub Category: |
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Expels phlegm & stops wheezing: for wheezing with coughing & copious sputum.
2. Eliminates dampness & stops discharge: for vaginal discharge & turbid urine. This herb is used both in cases of deficiency & damp-heat.
3. Stabilizes the lower burner: for urinary frequency or incontinence, or spermatorrhea. |
MeridiansKidney, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess. Use with caution whenever there is viscous sputum that is difficult to expectorate. This herb is slightly toxic & should not be taken in large quantities or long-term. Symptoms of overdose include headache, fever, tremors, irritability, & dyspnea. The antidote is 60g of boiled raw gan cao or 30g of boiled ginko shells. To avoid this reaction, one may also include the hard shells & thin linings of the seeds when using the herb. Toxicity: Slightly toxic. Reports on the presence or absence of toxic effects of bai guo are equivocal. However, it does appear that overdoses can lead to skin disorders & in serious cases, some increase in shedding of the mucous membranes. |
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Ma Huang / Ephedra, aerial part of plant |
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Taste: Acrid, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior & disperses cold: for patterns of wind-cold exterior excess (greater yang stage of the six stages) with chills, fever, headache, absence of sweating, & a tight, floating pulse. This herb is very effective in opening the pores & interstices to release exterior disorders.
2. Facilitates the movement of Lung qi & controls wheezing: for cough & wheezing due to obstruction of Lung qi by wind & cold. The herb both encourages the Lung qi to flow more easily, & causes it to descend. It is important for either externally contracted or internally generated wheezing.
3. Promotes urination & reduces edema: especially for edema that accompanies an exterior pathogenic influence. |
MeridiansLung, Bladder |
CautionsIf too much of this herb is used, or for too long a period of time, it may cause heavy sweating that weakens the body. Toasting honey reduces this dispersing property. Use of the herb may also raise blood pressure or cause restlessness & tremors. Use with caution in cases of deficiency with sweating or wheezing. Toxicity: Three cases of ephedrine toxicity were reported after ingestion of as little as 15ml of a 1% solution. Symptoms included diaphoresis, temperature elevation (up to 39.2 c), epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting. Atropine was used successfully as an antidote. Especially in conjunction with cardiac glycosides, ephedrine can cause cardiac arrhythmias. |
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Zi Su Zi / Perilla (Purple) Fruit, Perilla Seed |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Relieve Coughing & Wheezing |
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Stops coughing & wheezing, redirects the qi downward, & dissolves phlegm: for coughing & wheezing with copious phlegm. Especially useful when exhalation is more labored than inhalation & there is a stifling sensation in the chest.
2. Moistens the Intestines: for constipation due to dry Intestines. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of chronic diarrhea. |
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Gan Cao / Licorice Root (Chinese) |
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral (raw root) • Category: Tonic / Harmonize • 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. |