Root being the deficiency of Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems and the Manifestation
being Wind lodged in the bronchi. The aetiology is different since the Kidney deficiency is
induced by overwork, excessive sexual activity and a natural decline of Kidney-Qi in middle
age, rather than being congenital. Thus the Kidney's Defensive-Qi system is affected not from
birth, but by life-style. Many patients with late-onset asthma, especially men, often find the
condition worse after sexual activity.
In late-onset asthma, a Spleen deficiency, caused by irregular diet, is often present and therefore
there is some Phlegm as well. This manifests with a Swollen tongue.
Late-onset asthma is also characterized by a more frequent involvement of the Liver, caused by
emotional stress, in the pathogenesis of the condition.
Differentiation and Treatment
The differentiation made in Wheezing (Chapter 4) between treatment during attacks and
treatment in between attacks is applicable to asthma. The differentiation made in Breathlessness
(Chapter 3) between Deficiency and Excess conditions is not applicable to asthma since this is
always characterized by both a Deficiency (of the Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems) and
an Excess (Wind).
During attacks
Wind-Cold
Wind-HeatIn between attacks
Lung and Kidney's
Defensive-Qi systems
DeficiencyIn the treatment of asthma, especially acute cases, it is important also to calm the Mind. This is a
useful principle of treatment, as acute asthma is due to bronchospasm from overstimulation of
the parasympathetic nervous system. The herbs and acupuncture points which "calm the Mind"
also have a regulating effect on the nervous system. For example, the point Du-24 Shenting,
which calms the Mind, is widely used to calm asthma.
During Attacks
The treatments discussed below apply not only to the actual acute attack, but also to a period of
time when attacks are frequent.