Phlegm syndrome

This chapter introduces the principles, methods and strategies for the composition of formulas that transform, dry and eliminate phlegm. They are used to treat phlegm syndrome. 

Damp-phlegm/cold-phlegm syndrome pale or dull pale with a white sticky coating. 

Second, for treating damp-phlegm syndrome, bitter and warm herbs that can dry dampness, or sweet and bland herbs that can leach out dampness, are selected for treating phlegm-heat syndrome, cold and moistening herbs that can dilute phlegm are selected. 

Xuan Fu Hua, Zi Su Zi and Zi Su Ye are warm in nature they are particularly used for damp-phlegm syndrome. Zhu Ru, Pi Pa Ye and Huang Qin are cold in nature they are used for phlegm-heat syndrome. 

Bai Qian is a warm herb and its action of descending the Lung-Qi is stronger than that of Qian Hu. It is suitable to treat damp-phlegm syndrome. Qian Hu is cold in nature and is more suitable to clear heat in the Lung and treat phlegm-heat syndrome. 

These herbs are applied to directly tonify the Spleen. To treat a chronic condition of phlegm syndrome, herbs that tonify the Spleen-Qi are often used to strengthen the functions of transportation and transformation of the Spleen. 

Bai Zhu is warmer than Dang Shen but is bitter. The strong point of this herb is that it can either tonify the Qi or dry dampness. It can also treat the cause and manifestations of phlegm. It is often selected to treat damp-phlegm syndrome. 

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