Zhi Mu Radix Anemarrhenae asphodeloidisExplanation
This tablet contains Da Huang and is therefore suitable to clear Lung-Heat when it is combined
with some Stomach-Fire drying up the stools in the Intestines and causing constipation. This is
an essential condition for the selection of this remedy. The patient should therefore be
constipated (or have dry stools) and the tongue should have a thick-dry-yellow (or even black)
coating.
Case History 34.5
Common Cold and Influenza: Lung Phlegm-Heat-Male, Age 7
A 7-year-old boy caught a cold which manifested with such symptoms as shivering, a fever, a
cough, a sore throat and a headache (invasion of Wind-Heat). However, his mother brought him
to me 5 days after the above symptoms had begun: by the time he came for consultation his
symptoms had changed. He felt mostly hot, thirsty, irritable, had a bad cough productive of
yellow sputum and a temperature. His tongue was Red all over with red points in the front and
centre (Plate 34.2(546)).
Diagnosis Originally, this was an invasion of Wind-Heat; at the time of
consultation it had moved on to the Qi Level. The main two symptoms
indicating this were the feeling of heat with thirst, and the overall red
colour of the tongue with the extension of red points to the centre.
Specifically, it was Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs at the Qi Level and also
Stomach-Heat (indicated by the thirst, irritability and red points in the
centre of the tongue).
Treatment principle The treatment principle adopted was to clear Lung-Heat, resolve
Phlegm and restore the descending of Lung-Qi.
Herbal treatment The formula used was a variation of Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang Clearing Qi
and Resolving Phlegm Decoction:
Dan Nan Xing Rhizoma Arisaematis praeparata 6 g
Gua Lou Fructus Trichosanthis 6 g
Huang Qin Radix Scutellariae baicalensis 4 g
Zhi Shi Fructus Citri aurantii immaturus 4 g
Chen Pi Pericarpium Citri reticulatae 3 g
Fu Ling Sclerotium Poriae cocos 6 g
Xing Ren Semen Pruni armeniacae 6 g
Ban Xia Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae 6 g
Shi Gao Gypsum fibrosum 12 g
Zhi Mu Radix Anemarrhenae asphodeloidis 6 g