Lungs Failing to Disperse and Diffuse, and Lung Qi Deficiency

Manifestation Characteristics

A lack of Qi and fatigue, with shortness of breath and panting upon slight exertion; the body’s resistance to disease is low, leading to a susceptibility to external pathogens and frequent colds, often with an aversion to cold and a clear, runny nose. Cold weather can easily trigger sinusitis. The skin is often dry, wrinkled, and itchy, which is particularly prominent in the dry climate of autumn and winter. This condition can also lead to Kidney Yang deficiency, causing impaired fluid circulation, resulting in frequent urination and post-urination dribbling.

Treatment and Conditioning

Chinese Herbal Formulas

1. Lung Organ Deficiency and Damage, Lung Qi Insufficiency

• Syndrome: Shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough; a low and weak voice; spiritual fatigue and lack of strength; low blood pressure; a pale-white complexion or spontaneous sweating; a pale tongue with a white coating; and a deficient, weak pulse.

• Treatment Principle: Supplement and tonify Lung Qi.

• Main Formula: Bao Yuan Tang (Preserve the Origin Decoction) with Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry).

• Herbal Ingredients: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice). Decoct in water and drink the strained liquid 3 times a day; or, steep in boiling water and drink as a tea. Alternatively, Ren Shen Hu Tao Tang (Ginseng and Walnut Decoction) with Wu Wei Zi can be used: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Hu Tao Ren (Walnut Kernel), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry). Decoct in water and drink the strained liquid 3 times a day.

2. For those Prone to Wind-Cold Common Colds

• Syndrome: Nasal congestion, dizziness, headache, aversion to wind and cold, fatigue and lack of strength, a thin white tongue coating, and a floating, weak pulse.

• Treatment Principle: Tonify Qi, consolidate the exterior, and release the exterior. (The text mentions general fatigue and aversion to cold).

• Main Formula: Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) with Zi Su (Perilla Leaf).

• Herbal Ingredients: Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Fang Feng (Siler Root), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Zi Su (Perilla Leaf). Decoct in water and drink the strained liquid 3 times a day. When not suffering from a cold, one should tonify Lung Qi to consolidate the exterior; for this, it is advisable to use Yu Ping Feng San (the previous formula without Zi Su). Take as a decoction twice a day. Alternatively, one can take Yu Ping Feng Wan (pills) 6g at a time (or as granules), twice a day. One could also take Bei Qi Pian (Astragalus tablets) or Ren Shen Bei Qi Pian (Ginseng and Astragalus tablets).

3. Deficiency-Cold Type Chronic Sinusitis

• Syndrome: Dizziness, aversion to cold, spontaneous sweating, etc.

• Treatment Principle: Primarily supplement Lung Qi, concurrently unblocking the nasal passages and resolving toxins.

• Main Formula: Use Bi Tong Ning nasal drops or Bi Tong Wan (pills), both supplemented with Bei Qi Pian (Astragalus tablets).

• Herbal Ingredients: Bi Tong Ning drops contain Xin Yi (Magnolia Flower) and Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit). Usage: 1-2 drops, 3 times a day. Bi Tong Wan (pills) contain Xin Yi (Magnolia Flower), Bu Shi Cao (Centipeda), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), Bo He (Mint), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Gan Cao (Licorice). Usage: Take as directed, twice a day.

4. Lung Qi and Yin Deficiency with Kidney Yin Insufficiency

• Syndrome: Yin deficiency with internal heat, a red and dry tongue and mouth, a dry cough with little phlegm, heat in the palms and soles, insomnia, night sweats, nocturnal emission, and dry stools.

• Treatment Principle: Nourish the Kidney, moisten the Lung, clear deficiency heat, and stop dry cough.

• Main Formula: Modified Bu Yin Jian (Tonify Yin Decoction).

• Herbal Ingredients: Sheng Di (Rehmannia), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Tian Dong (Asparagus Root), Bei Sha Shen (Glehnia Root), Di Gu Pi (Lycium Bark), Nu Zhen Zi (Glossy Privet Fruit), Tian Hua Fen (Trichosanthes Root), Gan Cao (Licorice).

5. Lung Qi Deficiency with Kidney Yang Insufficiency

• Syndrome: Aversion to cold with a cold body, a constant clear runny nose, frequent urination, and post-urination dribbling.

• Treatment Principle: Supplement Qi and warm the Kidney.

• Main Formula: Bao Yuan Tang (Preserve the Origin Decoction).

• Herbal Ingredients: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice). Decoct in water and drink the strained liquid 1-3 times a day.

Dietary Conditioning

1. Lily Bulb and Adzuki Bean Congee: Take 10g of Lily Bulb (Bai He), 6g of Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren), 60g of Adzuki Beans (Chi Xiao Dou), and a small amount of white sugar. First, wash the adzuki beans and cook them with an appropriate amount of water and japonica rice. When the rice is half-cooked, add the lily bulb, apricot kernel, and sugar. Simmer over low heat until cooked. This is suitable for those with Lung Yin deficiency, exuberant deficiency fire, and a chronically dry or bitter mouth.

2. Loquat Leaf and Reed Rhizome Tea: Decoct 15g of Loquat Leaf (Pi Pa Ye) and 15g of fresh Reed Rhizome (Lu Gen) in water. Strain and drink as a tea. This is suitable for those with Lung heat, a dry mouth, and a cough.

3. Astragalus Congee: Decoct 30g of Astragalus (Huang Qi) in water, then remove the dregs. Use the resulting liquid to cook 50g of japonica rice into a congee. Eat on an empty stomach in the morning.

4. Ginseng and Walnut Soup: Decoct 3g of Ginseng (Ren Shen) and three Walnut Kernels (Hu Tao Ren) in water for one hour. Drink the soup and eat the ginseng and walnuts. This is suitable for those with Lung and Kidney Qi deficiency who experience shortness of breath upon exertion.

Acupuncture, Tui Na, and Massage

1. Lieque (LU7) – to supplement the Lung and tonify the Kidney.

   • Location: Cross the tiger’s mouths (the web between the thumb and index finger) of your two hands. The tip of the index finger of the top hand will land in a depression on the styloid process of the radius of the other wrist. That point is Lieque.

   • Function: This point is the meeting point of three meridians (Lung, Large Intestine, and Conception Vessel), so it can regulate the Qi of all three. Massaging this point can supplement Lung Qi and also has a good regulatory effect on diabetes, tinnitus, and dry eyes.

2. Taiyuan (LU9) – to supplement Lung Qi.

   • Location: Taiyuan is the Yuan-Source point of the Lung Meridian of the Hand Tai Yin, located at the wrist crease on the thumb side, in the depression on the radial side of the radial artery. It is where the primordial Qi of the Lung gathers most abundantly.

   • Function: The Qi of the Lung flows continuously from this point to all parts of the body. Therefore, stimulating this point is the most effective way to encourage the Lung Qi in the meridians to return and be stored in the Lungs, thereby supplementing Lung Qi deficiency.

3. Guanyuan (CV4) – to restore vitality.

   • Location: Guanyuan is located three inches below the navel on the midline of the abdomen.

   • Function: This point has the function of cultivating the origin, consolidating the foundation, and tonifying the Lower Jiao. It can be used for any deficiency of primordial Qi. Regularly massaging this point can not only supplement Lung Qi but also promote longevity.