- Mai Men Dong and Wu Wei Zi nourish Lung-Yin and promote fluids.
Variations
- To enhance the antitussive effect add Sang Bai Pi Cortex Mori albae radicis and Zi Wan
Radix Asteris tatarici.
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
(Clearing Dryness and Rescuing the Lungs Decoction)
Sang Ye Folium Mori albae 9 g
Shi Gao Gypsum fibrosum 7.5 g
Mai Men Dong Tuber Ophiopogonis japonici 3.6 g
Ren Shen Radix Ginseng 2 g
Hu Ma Ren (Hei Zhi Ma) Semen Sesami indici 3 g
E Jiao Gelatinum Asini 2.4 g
Xing Ren Semen Pruni armeniacae 2 g
Pi Pa Ye Folium Eriobotryae japonicae 3 g
Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis 3 g
Explanation
- Sang Ye restores the descending of Lung-Qi and stops cough.
- Shi Gao clears any residual Lung-Heat.
- Mai Dong nourishes and moistens Lung-Yin. These first three herbs "clear within
descending" (i.e. Shi Gao and Sang Ye) and "moisten within clearing" (i.e. Mai Dong and
Shi Gao). - Ren Shen tonifies Lung-Qi and promotes fluids.
- Hei Zhi Ma and E Jiao help Mai Dong to moisten Dryness.
- Xing Ren and Pi Pa Ye help Sang Ye to restore the descending of Lung-Qi. Pi Pa Ye
also clears any residual Lung-Heat. - Gan Cao harmonizes.
This formula is for Dryness and residual Heat in the Lungs following an invasion of Wind-Heat.