(Clearing the Lungs and Eliminating Fire Tablet)
Huang Qin Radix Scutellariae baicalensis
Shan Zhi Zi Fructus Gardeniae jasminoidis
Da Huang Rhizoma Rhei
Qian Hu Radix Peucedani
Ku Shen Radix Sophorae flavescentis
Tian Hua Fen Radix Trichosanthis
Jie Geng Radix Platycodi grandiflori
Zhi Mu Radix Anemarrhenae asphodeloidisExplanation
This tablet drains Lung-Fire (as opposed to clearing Lung-Heat) and is suitable to treat an acute
cough following an invasion of Wind-Heat when there are symptoms of Fire such as a very dry
tongue-coating, dry stools or constipation and a Deep-Full and Rapid pulse.
For a further explanation of the difference between Lung-Heat and Lung-Fire, see the discussion
under the prescription Gun Tan Wan Chasing away Phlegm Pill above.
Case History 8.2
Cough: Lung Phlegm-Heat-Female, Age 2
A 2-year-old girl had contracted an upper respiratory infection which had been treated with
antibiotics. Her mother took her to me for treatment about one week into the antibiotic treatment
as she was not getting better. Although the initial temperature had gone, she now had a barking
cough productive of yellow sputum; she also wheezed slightly, was restless and slept badly. Her
tongue had a sticky-yellow coating and was Red in the front part.
Diagnosis This is a typical example of progression of an external pathogenic factor
into the Interior due to treatment with antibiotics (see also Chapter 34).
The pathogenic factor is now interior Phlegm-Heat obstructing the
Lungs.
Treatment The treatment aim was to resolve Phlegm, clear Lung-Heat, restore the
descending of Lung-Qi and stop cough and wheezing. She was treated
only with herbal decoctions and the one used was a variation of Qing Qi
Hua Tan Tang Clearing Qi and Resolving Phlegm Decoction:
Dan Nan Xing Rhizoma Arisaematis praeparata 3 g
Gua Lou Semen Trichosanthis 6 g
Huang Qin Radix Scutellariae baicalensis 4 g
Zhi Shi Fructus Citri aurantii immaturus 3 g
Chen Pi Pericarpium Citri reticulatae 3 g