HERBS THAT CAN DISSOLVE PHLEGM
INDICATIONS:
-Much phlegm with cough and asthma
-Epilepsy
-Goiters and scrofula
-Subcutaneous phlegm retention
-Anti-inflammation
“In TCM, use toxic to treat toxic.”
PHLEGM PRODUCTION:
-Spleen
-Lung
-Kidney
-Liver
BAN XIA (Pinellia Tuber)
Pungent warm and toxic
Spleen, stomach and lung
ACTIONS:
-Dry dampness to dissolve phlegm
-Lower rising of the stomach qi to relieve vomiting
-Disperse stagnancy and dissipate nodules.
APPLICATIONS:
-Much phlegm with cough and dyspnea due to accumulation of phlegm following failure of the spleen to transform water
-Nausea or vomiting due to rising of the stomach qi
-Vomiting due to stomach deficiency
-Vomiting due to stomach heat
-Morning sickness
-Obstructing feeling in the chest with vomiting due to interlocking of phlegm heat
-Hystericus Globus: “Plumb pit qi.”
-Goiter or scrofula
5-10g
CC:
-Incompatible with WU TOU
-Being warm and dry, this herb should be used with great care for dry cough due to in deficiency, bleeding and hot phlegm
-Can prepare with ginger to relieve toxicity/nausea.
-”Very good herb to treat cough with much phlegm.” ***
-”First herb to dissolve phlegm.” ***
-”Very good to treat nausea and vomiting.” ***
-Make gruel with BAN XIA 10g and rice 50g.
TIAN NAN XING (Arisaema Tuber)
-Bitter, pungent, warm and toxic
-Lung, liver and spleen
-Can treat wind-phlegm (unlike Ban Xia)
ACTIONS:
-Dry dampness to dissolve phlegm
-Calm wind to relieve convulsion
-Disperse internal wind
APPLICATION:
-Intractable (chronic) phlegm with cough and chest distention
-”Stronger in warm and dry properties.”
-Dizziness due to wind phlegm, much phlegm in stroke, deviation of mouth and eyes, epilepsy and tetanus
-Severe numbness of limbs, hemiplegia and deviation of eyes and mouth
-Tetanus
-External application of this herb can also dissipate nodules, subdue swelling and relieve pain
-This herb can treat cervical cancer
-To prepare tea.
-Soak (not boil) one Tian Nan Xing in hot water. 15-50g.
-Also can treat Carcinoma of esophagus, combined with Yin Xua, Shi Hu, Dang Shen.
-Lung cancer, combine with fresh Shen Lan Xin, fresh Fu Zi, Chuan wu, and Xuan Hu Shi, San Qi and Wou Xiang
Prepared: 5-10g, The raw one is usually used in powder or pills, .3-1g each time
CC:
-Not suggested for pregnant woman. The raw one is not used orally. (Except in treating cancer.)
-Can prepare with ginger to relieve toxicity/nausea.
BAI FU ZI (Giant Typhonium Tuber)
Pungent, sweet, warm and toxic
Spleen and stomach
ACTIONS:
-Dry dampness to dissolve phlegm
-Disperse wind to relieve convulstion
-Disperse wind phlegm
-Disperse wind cold
-Detoxicate to dissipate nodules
APPLICATION:
-Wind phlegm, deviation of eyes and mouth, tetanus and migraine
-Convulstion due to deviation of mouth and eyes
-Migraine
-Snake bite of scrofula: External application of the raw herb
-Carbuncle
3-5g
CC:
-Not suggested for pregnant woman. The raw one is not used orally
-Very common herb in dermatology (External use)
-Liver spot
-Also treat with Bai Zhi (“White herbs treat liver spots.) Bai Lian, Bai Zhu, Bai Guo
-Make powder, mix it with honey
-Sweat stain (Skin discoloration)
-”!2 White Herbs” (“12 White Lady medicine”)
-Very good dermatological applications
BAI JIE ZI (White Mustard Seed)
Pungent and warm
Lung
ACTIONS:
Warm up the lung to dissolve phlegm, benefit flow of qi to dissipate nodules and promote flow of qi and blood in the collaterals to relieve pain
APPLICATIONS:
-Cough and dyspnea with distending pain in the chest and hypochondriumg due to accumulation of cold phlegm
-Pain andnumbness of the limbs due to stagnation of phlegm dampness in the meridians
-Subcutaneous swelling due to accumulation of phlegm dampness
3-10g
CC:
-This herb may cause blister when used externally, so not applicable for patients with skin allergy
JIE GENG (Platycodon Root)
Bitter, pungent and neutral
Lung
ACTIONS:
-Open the lung qi, dissolve phlegm and drain pus
APPLICATIONS:
-Cough with much phlegm, difficult discharge of the phlegm obstructing feeling in teh chest and diaphragm, sore throat and hoarseness
-Cough with much phlegm due to wind could
-Cough with sore throat and hoarseness due to wind heat
-Chest distention due to stagnation of qi and obstruction of phlegm
-Lung abscess marked by chest pain, cough with pus and blood
3-10g
