【Source】
“Medical Enlightenment” (Yī Xué Xīn Wù), Volume 3.
【Composition】
Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Aster Root (Zi Wan), Stemona Root (Bai Bu), Cynanchum Stauntonii Rhizome (Bai Qian), Licorice Root (Gan Cao), Aged Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
(7 ingredients)
【Categorization by Function】
<Regulate Qi>: Aged Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
<Acrid-Warm to Release the Exterior>: Schizonepeta (Jing Jie)
<Transform Phlegm>: Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), Cynanchum Stauntonii Rhizome (Bai Qian)
<Stop Cough and Relieve Asthma>: Aster Root (Zi Wan), Stemona Root (Bai Bu)
【Formula Explanation】
“Treatise on Blood Syndromes” (Xue Zheng Lun): Pumingzi formulated this prescription, elaborating on its marvels, but did not explicitly detail the therapeutic methods of each herb. I have therefore expanded and annotated his commentary: The Lung element is Metal, which fears fire. When it encounters heat, it coughs, so Aster Root (Zi Wan) and Stemona Root (Bai Bu) are used to clear heat. The Metal element is inherently rigid and dry, and dislikes cold. When it encounters cold, it coughs, so Cynanchum Stauntonii Rhizome (Bai Qian) and Aged Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) are used to treat cold. Furthermore, the Lung is a delicate organ, externally governing the skin and hair, making it highly susceptible to pathogens. Without releasing the exterior, the pathogenic qi lingers and won’t resolve. Therefore, Schizonepeta (Jing Jie) is used to disperse the exterior. The Lung has two orifices: one in the nose and one in the throat. The nasal orifice should be open, not closed; the throat orifice should be closed, not open. If the nasal orifice is obstructed, the throat orifice opens, leading to a cough. Therefore, Platycodon Root (Jie Geng) is used to open the nasal orifice. This formula is mild, moist, and balanced, neither cold nor hot, bringing tranquility to Lung qi. “Formulary” (Fang Ji Xue): In this formula, Aster Root (Zi Wan), Cynanchum Stauntonii Rhizome (Bai Qian), and Stemona Root (Bai Bu) stop cough and transform phlegm, effective for both acute and chronic coughs. Platycodon Root (Jie Geng) and Aged Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) regulate the ascending and descending of Lung qi, stopping cough and dispelling phlegm. Schizonepeta (Jing Jie) dispels wind and releases the exterior. Licorice Root (Gan Cao) harmonizes all the herbs. When these two are combined with Platycodon Root (Jie Geng), they further clear and soothe the throat. All the herbs combined are mild, moist, and balanced, neither cold nor hot, posing no risk of excessive attack, but rather exhibiting a powerful effect of “opening the gate to drive out the invaders.” Thus, external pathogens are easily dispersed, and Lung qi achieves tranquility.
【Functions】
Stops cough and transforms phlegm, releases the exterior and disperses Lung qi, dispels wind and releases the exterior.
【Indications】
Cough due to external invasion, persistent for a long time, with profuse and difficult-to-expectorate phlegm, or slight aversion to wind, mild aversion to cold and fever, headache, white tongue coating, and floating, leisurely pulse.
【Clinical Applications】
Upper respiratory tract infection, bronchitis, cough, pneumonia, influenza, etc.
【Mnemonic】
Stop (Zi – for Aster Root) Cough… White Lungs (Platycodon Root, Stemona Root, Cynanchum Stauntonii Rhizome) + Stir-fried Chen Jie (Aged Tangerine Peel, Schizonepeta).
【Modifications】
(1) If the exterior syndrome due to wind-cold is more severe in its initial stage, with symptoms like headache, nasal congestion, aversion to cold, and fever, add Siler (Fang Feng), Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye), and Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) to release the exterior and disperse pathogens; or add Siler (Fang Feng), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), and Perilla Fruit (Zi Su Zi). (2) If phlegm is thick and sticky, add Pinellia (Ban Xia), Poria (Fu Ling), and Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi) to eliminate phlegm. (3) If there is dry cough with no phlegm, add Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou), Fritillaria (Bei Mu), and Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu) to moisten dryness. (4) If there are no exterior pathogens, or for internal injury cough, remove Schizonepeta (Jing Jie).
【Pharmacological Actions】
Has antitussive, expectorant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects, among others.