Great White Lung Formula
Ma xing zhi ke pian
Kan Traditionals
Drains Heat or Fire, redirects rebellious Lung Qi downward, resolves Phlegm, regulates Qi, vents Heat to the Exterior.
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- Herb: Platycodon root, Apricot seed, Perilla leaf, Chinese licorice root and rhizome, Tangerine dried rind of mature fruit, Bee honey, Talc, Gypsum
- Herb (Pinyin): Jie geng, Xing ren, Zi su ye, Gan cao, Chen pi, Feng mi, Hua shi, Sheng shi gao
- Pattern: Wind Heat invading the Lung, trapped Wind Cold transforming into Heat in the Lung
- Actions: Clears Lung Heat, resolves Phlegm, redirects rebellious Qi downward, Drains Heat or Fire, vents Heat to the Exterior
- Indications: Supports healthy Lungs and a healthy respiratory system, Occasional dryness or discomfort of the chest and Lungs, Occasional Phlegm
- Contraindications: Not meant for long-term use., Use with caution during pregnancy.
- Tongue: Bright red with a yellow coating.
- Pulse: Tense, slippery and rapid, floating.
Great White Lung Formula is based on Ephedra, Armeniaca Relieving Tablets (Ma Xing Zhi Ke Pian). It is an effective, versatile formula to address Heat trapped in the Lungs due to either a Wind Cold or Wind Heat invasion. The constraint caused by the unreleased Wind leads to the development of Qi level or Yang Ming channel Heat or Fire, the drying of the Lung Yin and weakening of the Lung Qi. It is also indicated for patterns in which Phlegm Heat accumulation is aggravated by Internal Heat, itself caused by a lingering Yin deficiency or Lung Yin deficiency.Great White Lung Formula facilitates the flow of Lung Qi, clears Heat, directs rebellious Qi downward, resolves Damp Phlegm, vents and releases Heat to the Exterior and expels Phlegm while moistening the Lungs.
Platycodon root, the chief herb in this formula, opens, diffuses and circulates Lung Qi, while transforming Phlegm and releasing the Exterior. It also directs the actions of the other herbs to the upper region of the body. Combined with Perilla leaf and Apricot seed, it is especially indicated for dispelling Wind Cold. Perilla leaf replaces the traditionally used Ephedra herb, unavailable due to legislative restrictions, and performs the functions of releasing the Exterior, dispersing Wind Cold, promoting the movement of Qi and expanding the chest. Apricot seed directs the Lung Qi downward, disperses Wind Cold and moistens the Lungs. Chinese licorice root and rhizome and Platycodon root address Wind Heat, disseminate Lung Qi, expel Phlegm, and moisten the Lungs. Bee honey moisten the Lungs.
Tangerine dried rind of mature fruit dries Damp, transforms Phlegm and promotes the flow of Qi, directing it downward. It is an important herb to address occasional Phlegm Damp Lung Qi obstruction. Talc drains Heat and facilitates the resolution of Dampness. Gypsum clears Heat and drains Fire and is especially good at cooling Lung and Stomach Fire, and at venting Heat to the Exterior.
Great White Lung Formula clears Wind Heat or Wind Cold invasion transforming into Heat in the Lung, and clears Phlegm. Similar Exterior releasing formulas include: Calm Breath Formula, which clears Heat from the Lungs caused by an external invasion, moistens Lungs and transforms Phlegm; Yin Qiao clears Wind Heat invasion and focuses specifically on clearing Heat from the throat; Blue Green Lung Formula releases an exterior Wind Cold invasion, warms the Lungs and transforms Phlegm; and Lung Qi Release warms and releases an exterior lingering invasion.
Formulas to clear Heat include BreathEase to clear Phlegm Heat accumulation in the Lungs with a possible Wind Cold Invasion; Qing Fei Clearing Formula to clear Lung Heat and Liver Fire and to clear Phlegm Heat from the Lungs; and Pinellia Dispersing Formula to clear Phlegm Heat from the Lungs.
ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
Ephedra, Apricot Seed, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction (Ma Xing Zhi Ke Pian) was originally recorded in the great classic Shang Han Lun written by Dr. Zhang Zhong-Jing. This formula was later modified into Ephedra, Apricot Tablet (Ma Xing Zhi Ke Pian).