The Allergic Asthma formula is best used for presentations where there is an over production of cold, damp, and phlegm that’s congesting the Lungs. Meaning it’s best used in cases where phlegm damp is PRIMARY. Gan Sui is an herb we rarely use because it’s so strong; however, when used topically, it purges phlegm damp and forces it out of the tissues. Yan Hu Suo invigorates the Qi within the blood while Xi Xin helps to warm the Lungs. The addition of Ma Huang helps get the Lung Qi moving downwards and, because of its relationship to the Urinary Bladder, gets the fluids moving out of the body rather accumulating and backlogging as damp.

The Lung and Kidney Deficiency formula consist mostly of herbs that either tonify Qi or tonify Yang. The only herb in the formula that really addresses phlegm damp is Ban Xia. This formula is best used where phlegm damp is SECONDARY and the root cause is coming from a Wei Qi deficiency. A lot of the herb target the Tai Yin pair of the Spleen and Lung Qi while adding some juice to the Kidney Yang. It even goes so far as to act as a Jing astringent - so this is for true deficiency cases.

Most of the herbs in the formula are acrid and warm. The treatment principle is to nourish the lungs, soothe asthma, reinforce the Kidneys to grasp the Qi.

Look for an aversion to wind, shortness of breath with difficulty on the inhale; asthma; spontaneous perspiration; cold limbs; history of upper respiratory tract infections; and an overall less productive cough.

Tongue will be generally pale, moist, and swollen with a white coat. Expect the pulse to be deep and thready or weak.

  • Category: Herbs that Tonify Yang

    Properties: Acrid Sweet / Warm / Kidney & Liver

    Actions: Tonifies Kidneys; Strengthens Yang; Dispels Wind-Cold-Damp; Warms and unblocks the flow of Yang Qi

    Notes: It also tonifies the Du and Yin Qiao channels

  • Category: Herbs that Tonify Qi

    Properties: Sweet / Neutral / Kidney, Lungs, Spleen

    Actions: Tonifies the Spleen, Nourishes Stomach Yin; Tonifies Lung Qi and nourishes Lung Yin; Tonifies Kidney Yin and astringes Jing

    Note: Because the herb is neutral and moistens, it benefits both the Yin and Yang of the Lung and Kidneys

  • Category: Herbs that Tonify Qi

    Properties: Sweet / Slightly Warm / Lung & Spleen

    Actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood; Strengthens the Spleen; Raises Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach; Tonifies Wei Qi; Stabilizes the exterior; Tonifies the Lungs; Promotes urination and reduces edema; Generates flesh; Generates body fluids

    Notes: Promotes other herbs, especially those that strengthen overall Qi, digestion, blood builders, and blood movers.

  • Category: Herbs that Tonify Qi

    Properties: Sweet / Neutral / Kidney, Lung Spleen

    Actions: Tonifies Spleen Qi; Nurtures Stomach Yin; Moistens Lung Yin; Tonifies the Kidneys; Strengthens Jing; Relieves wasting and thirsting

    Notes: Both Huang Jin and Shan Yao are sweet, tonify Qi, nourish Yin, and are often used to treat Lung, Kidney, and Spleen deficiency.

  • Category: Herbs that Invigorate Blood

    Properties: Acrid / Warm / Liver, Gallbladder / Pericardium

    Actions: Invigorates the blood; promotes the movement of Qi; Expels wind; alleviates pain

    Notes: Often used for treating heat syndromes primarily in the upper jiao.

  • Category: Herbs that Tonify Yang

    Properties: Acrid Bitter / Very Warm / Kidney, Spleen, Pericardium

    Actions: Tonifies the Kidneys; strengthens Yang; Stabilizes Jing; Tonifies and warms Spleen Yang.

    Notes: It generates Earth - the Spleen becomes warm and strong. It helps the Yang to ascend.

  • Category: Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Cough

    Properties: Acrid / Warm, Toxic / Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Heart

    Actions: Dries damp; Transforms phlegm; Descends rebellious Qi; Harmonizes the Spleen; Dissipates nodules; reduces stagnation.

    Notes: Marquee herb for treating phlegm.

  • Category: Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Cough

    Properties: Acrid / Warm / Lung, Stomach

    Actions: Warms the Lungs; regulates Qi; Expels phlegm; Promotes Qi movement; dissipates nodules; unblocks the collaterals.

    Notes: This herb is excellent at reaching phlegm in the sub costal region in addition to the area between the skin and membranes that cannot be reached otherwise.

The treatment principle here is to warm and transform cold phlegm, descend rebellious Qi, and stop cough.

This formula is best used for those with internal cold phlegm trapped in the Lungs. The symptoms tend to recur every winter, often triggered by breathing cold air. There will be shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and repeated attacks of a productive cough. There will often be either scanty tenacious mucus, or thin watery mucus.

Look for a pale swollen tongue with toothmarks accompanied by a moist greasy, white coat. Pulse will be soft and slippery.

  • Category: Herbs Invigorate the Blood

    Properties: Acrid, Bitter / Warm / Heart, Liver, Stomach, Lung, Spleen, Pericardium

    Actions: Invigorates the Blood; circulates Qi; Stops pain.

    Notes: Yan Hu Suo promotes the movement of Qi within the Blood

  • Category: Warm Acrid that Herbs that Release the Exterior

    Properties: Acrid, Slightly Bitter / Warm, Slightly Toxic / Lung, Heart, Kidney, Liver

    Actions: Release exterior wind and cold; disperse wind-cold and internal cold; alleviates pain; warm the Lungs; transforms phlegm and thin mucus; disperses and unblocks the Qi of the nasal orifice

    Notes: Xi Xin exerts most of its effects on the upper body. It directs other herbs to the Heart and Kidney; especial the arms and chest.

  • Category: Warm Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior

    Properties: Acrid, Slightly Bitter / Warm / Lung, Bladder

    Actions: Induces sweating, releases the exterior; disseminates and facilitates Lung Qi; calms wheezing; stops coughing; warms and disperses Cold pathogens

    Notes: Ma Huang encourages the Lung Qi to descend and flow more smoothly. Common herb in Chinese medicine to treat asthma.

  • Category: Harsh expellants

    Properties: Bitter, Sweet / Cold, Toxic / Kidney, Large Intestine, Lung, Spleen

    Actions: Drains water downward; eliminates congested fluid and thin mucus; Expels phlegm; Clears heat; reduces swelling; Disperses hardenings

    Notes: Violently cathartic herbs when taken internally that will cause one to pass water anally. When used externally in a powdered form, it can be used as a base of moxa on the umbilicus to create constipation and urinary blockage.

  • Category: Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Cough

    Properties: Acrid / Warm / Lung, Stomach

    Actions: Warms the Lungs; regulates Qi; Expels phlegm; Promotes Qi movement; dissipates nodules; unblocks the collaterals.

    Notes: This herb is excellent at reaching phlegm in the sub costal region in addition to the area between the skin and membranes that cannot be reached otherwise.