Explanation
This remedy is similar in composition to the homonymous formula. It restores the descending of
Lung-Qi and tonifies Kidney-Yang.
The tongue presentation appropriate to this remedy is a Pale and Swollen body.
Case History 3.2
Breathlessness: Lung- and Kidney-Yang Deficiency-Female, Age 48
A 48-year-old woman had been suffering from breathlessness for the previous 10 years. She
found it difficult to breathe in and was worse at night. The breathlessness seemed to have started
after being caught in a dust storm in the Middle East, after which she contracted
broncho-pneumonia. She had had pneumonia previously as a child. She also experienced fluid
retention in the abdomen and ankles for the previous ten years. She was often constipated and
felt cold, especially in the legs.
Her pulse was Fine and Deep and particularly Weak in both Rear positions. Her tongue was Pale
and Swollen and had a sticky-white coating (Plate 3.1(97)).
Diagnosis This is a clear condition of breathlessness from Lung- and Kidney-Yang
deficiency. She obviously had had a weakness in the Lungs since
childhood deriving from the pneumonia, later aggravated by the
bronchio-pneumonia 10 years before. Due to her age, the Kidney energy
started to decline and, combining with the Lung deficiency, triggered
off the onset of her breathlessness. The Kidney-Yang deficiency is
confirmed by the fluid retention, the constipation, the cold feeling of the
legs and the very Weak pulse on both Rear positions.
Treatment This lady was treated with both acupuncture and herbs. The acupuncture
treatment was very simple, basically aimed at tonifying the Lungs and
Kidneys with ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, BL-13 Feishu, Du-12
Shenzhu and BL-23 Shenshu. In addition to these points, the Directing
vessel opening points were used every time, i.e. LU-7 Lieque on the
right and KI-6 Zhaohai on the left to tonify Lungs and Kidneys.
The herbal prescription used was a variation of Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
Perilla Seed Lowering Qi Decoction:Su Zi Semen Perillae frutescentis 6 g
Fa Ban Xia Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae 6 g
Qian Hu Radix Peucedani 4 g
Hou Po Cortex Magnoliae officinalis 4 g