Xing Ren Semen Pruni armeniacae 9 g

Huang Qi Radix Astragali membranacei 6 g

Mai Men Dong Tuber Ophiopogonis japonici 3 g

Explanation This formula tonifies the Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems,
strengthens the Spleen and restores the descending of Lung-Qi.

The first seven herbs constitute the original prescription.

Zhi Mu was eliminated from the original formula as there are no signs

of Heat.

Huang Qi and Mai Men Dong were added to tonify the Lung's

Defensive-Qi system further.

This patient is still being treated and he is gradually reducing the use of

his inhaler.

Prognosis and Prevention

The treatment of allergic asthma will necessarily take a long time as the disease is always based,
as we have seen, on an inborn deficiency of Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems. In most
cases, the treatment may need many months if not years to produce lasting results. Both
acupuncture and Chinese herbs are equally effective in combination or independently. If children
can be treated fairly early after the development of the disease, the course of treatment will be
much shorter. If the patient is on bronchodilator inhalers (such as Ventolin) it is not necessary to
make a conscious effort to stop them as the need to use them will automatically decrease as the
treatment progresses. As for oral steroids, it is much better if the patient can reduce them very
gradually as soon as possible as they have many side-effects, the main one being that of inducing
a deficiency of the Kidneys in the long run. As allergic asthma is based on a deficiency of the
Kidney's Defensive-Qi system, oral steroids, although affording relief in the short run, can only
make it worse in the long run.

If asthma is accompanied by eczema and the patient is using steroid creams, these should be
stopped. This means, and the patient should be warned, that the eczema may temporarily become
worse. This aggravation can and should be counteracted, however, by the use of herbs externally
as described above. This is important to do to gain the patient's confidence in the treatment.

After successfully treating a patient with asthma it is important to take preventive measures to
avoid its recurrence.

Adults should be advised to have enough rest and avoid excessive sexual activity. Children (or
rather their parents) should be advised to avoid eating excessive amounts of dairy foods, sweets