sū zǐ jiàng qì tāng is used for patterns with
phlegm-damp obstructing the lungs, cold phlegm-damp retention (excess above), kidney yang deficiency (deficiency below), kidneys unable to grasp the lung qi.
symptoms indicating the use of sū zǐ jiàng qì tāng
coughing and wheezing with copious, dilute, white, frothy or lumpy sputum, chest and epigastric congestion, cold legs, pain and feeling of fullness in the chest, dizziness, vertigo, palpitations, dyspnea – worse when lying down, sometimes asthma, throat rattle, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath with labored inhalation and smooth exhalation, acute attack of panting with a high pitched wheezing sound and rapid exhalation, leg qi, acute cramping, muscle wasting, diarrhea in response to cold or hot weather.
maybe anorexia, insensitivity in the lower abdomen, headache, facial edema, lumbar pain, weakness in the body and feet, numbness, weakness and aching of the feet and legs, edema of the extremities, fever, dysuria, weakness below the umbilicus, fatigue with a desire to curl up, epigastric distention, disorientation, disordered speech, tinnitus.
western interpretation of sū zǐ jiàng qì tāng
chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, cardiac asthma, nice for kids.
explanation of the mechanism
this condition is known as excess above and deficiency below. ‘excess above’ refers to phlegm-cold obstructing the lungs. this interferes with the normal circulation of qi and results in coughing and wheezing with copious, watery sputum together with a stifling sensation in the chest.
‘deficiency below’ refers primarily to the kidneys being unable to grasp the qi, which manifests as wheezing and shortness of breath characterized by relatively labored inhalation. it may also include kidney yang deficiency with pain and weakness of the lower back and legs, and a disturbance of water metabolism (water failing to transform into qi), which manifests as edema.
this condition occurs in patients with constitutionally deficient kidney yang (the root) with internal phlegm who contract external wind-cold, which transforms into phlegm-cold (the manifestation) and obstructs the circulation of the lung qi.
(bensky & barolet)
important note: if you experience symptoms that resemble the ones presented in the tcm pocketguide please consult a medical doctor or tcm therapist. these prescriptions are not meant for self-medication and should only be prescribed by a licensed tcm practitioner. of course you can also book a consultation with me. i would be pleased to welcome you.
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