Chinese Medicine & Asthma

CHINESE ETIOLOGY: Asthma can be defined as an “excess” condition which is due to exogenous pathogenic factors or as a condition of “deficiency” if there is weakened body resistance. 

Excess Types:

Wind-cold type: Asthma due to invasion of wind-cold; which impairs the smooth flow of the lung qi, injures the skin and hair, and makes the pores closed. Since the lung and the superficial defensive system are weakened, the lung qi fails to disperse and descend, leading to a cough. Signs: Cough with thin sputum, rapid breathing, chills, fever, headache, no sweating at early stage.

Phlegm-heat type: Asthma due to failure of the Spleen in transformation and transportation, resulting in production of phlegm from the accumulated dampness. Long-standing retention of phlegm turns into heat, or excessive fire of the lung evaporates the fluids into phlegm. When the phlegm fire stays in the lung, the lung qi is stagnated and the normal activity of the lung is impaired. Failure of the lung qi descending function results in asthma. SIGNS: Rapid and short breathing, strong and coarse voice, cough with thick yellow sputum, sensation of chest stuffiness, fever, restlessness, dryness of the mouth. 

Deficiency Types:

Lung deficiency: A prolonged and protracted cough can weaken and injure the lung qi. Overstrain and internal injury can also bring about deficiency of the lung qi. In either case, shortness of breath and difficult, labored breathing may occur. SIGNS: Short and rapid breathing, feeble voice, weak and low sound of coughing, sweating on exertion. 

Kidney deficiency: Overwork and sexual indulgence can injure the kidney. A severe or chronic disease weakens the body resistance and damages the essential qi. Long-standing asthma also affects the kidney. Failure of the kidney in receiving qi may give rise to asthma. SIGNS: Difficult, labored breathing on exertion after long-standing asthma, severe wheezing, indrawing of the soft tissues of the neck, short breath, fatigue and weakness, sweating, cold limbs.

Herbs we have at Lakewood Community Acupuncture for Asthma

Allerplex

INDICATIONS: Allergies and Asthma. Contains: (approx) 20% Pneumotrophin PMG, 20% Drenatrophin PMG 20%, Cataplex A-C 20%, Betacol 20%, Antronex Developed in 1959, Allerplex is a “formula” or combination product. Since patients have several different types of allergies, the practitioner may need a broad type of product to address the different causes or individual constitutional deficiencies that often underlie the expression of the allergic response. Built from the original ingredient Yakriton, a liver fat extract, also found in Antronex, nutrients in Allerplex also support lung, adrenal and liver tissues as well as their functions. The whole food vitamins A and C with cofactors support the immune system, in particular the mucous membranes. Antronex + Allerplex for sinusitis and allergies: Antronex dilates the portal vein and drains histamine, Allerplex has Antronex in it, as well as other things like Fenugreek, which breaks up mucus. Cataplex F, Calcium Lactate and Cataplex C are the Triad of the Immune system. Calcium is distributed around the body by Essential Fatty Acids (Cataplex F) marking the virus and Vit C tells the body to fight. 

Blue Green Lung

Xiao Qing Long Tang helps relieve cough, chest congestion, acute asthma with profuse clear or frothy white phlegm. It reduces facial edema, swelling of the limbs; Eases aggravations of chronic asthma by exposure to wind and chill; Aids in relieving bronchitis, pneumonia; Soothes childhood asthma and allergic disorders. Actions: Resolves Phlegm, dispels pathogenic Qi, warms Lungs, allays cough, spreads Lung Qi Pattern: External invasion of Wind-Cold pathogen with internal Phlegm Damp congestion in the chest.

Breathease

Formula translates to Ding Chuan Tang. Western Symptomatology: Occasional breathlessness after exposure to wind or allergen. Actions: Redirects rebellious Qi downward, clears Heat from the Lungs, transforms Phlegm, mitigates Lung Qi rebellion. Pattern: Rebellious Lung Qi, Phlegm Heat accumulation in the Lungs with concurrent possible Wind Cold invasion. Complementary Formulas: Antiphlogistic Formula, Pinellia Phlegm Dispersing Formula.

Cal-Amo

INDICATIONS: Alkalosis, joint pains, bursitis, allergies, asthma, system acidifier. The acid-alkaline balance is very important in maintaining proper body function. Alkalosis is involved in conditions of asthma, allergies, arthritis, bursitis, infections, etc. If the fluid of the body is too alkaline, calcium precipitates out of solution and forms deposits in various places throughout the body. 

Ding Chuan Tang Tincture

Chinese Symptomatology: Coughing and wheezing with copious, thick, and yellow sputum, labored breathing. There may also be simultaneous fever and chills. Western Symptomatology: Chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiolitis. Actions: Disseminates and redirects the Lung qi, arrests wheezing, clears heat, and transforms phlegm. - Bensky. Pattern: Wind-cold constraining the exterior and phlegm-heat smoldering in the interior. 

Pinellia Dispersing Formula

The formula Pinellia Dispersing AKA Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan eases strong cough with thick, ropy mucus that is hard to expectorate. Chinese Symptomatology: Strong, loud cough with thick, ropy mucus that is hard to expectorate. Bronchitis, smoker's cough, bronchial congestion, asthma, emphysema. Sinus congestion, nasal discharge. Sticky phlegm, orange or blood-streaked phlegm. Actions: Resolves Phlegm, clears Heat, diffuses the Lung Qi, soothes cough, calms wheezing, regulates the Qi Pattern: Phlegm Heat in the Lungs.

Pneumotrophin PMG 

Pulmonary involvements, respiratory disorders, pulmonary stress (pollution), pulmonary accidents (inhalation of irritating vapor), pneumonia, dry cough, smokers’ cough. Lung glandulars to support healthy