Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Fruit Decoction for Directing Qi Downward)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Promote the Movement of Qi

Pattern:

• Phlegm Cold congesting the Lungs and the Kidneys not grasping the Qi (Excess above, Deficiency below)

Actions:

• Descends rebellious Lung Qi to arrest wheezing and stop cough
• Warms and Transforms Phlegm-Cold.

Indications:

• Wheezing, coughing with copious and watery sputum, dyspnea, shortness of breath with easy exhalation and difficult inhalation, a feeling of fullness or oppression in the chest, edema of the extremities, fatigue, possible weakness, aching, or pain in the lower back, legs, or knees

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Slightly pale body with a slippery or greasy white tongue coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Slippery and weak pulse

Western Uses:

• Bronchial Asthma
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Pulmonary Emphysema

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• Do not use in cases where there is no external pathogenic influences, or where cough and wheezing are due to Lung Heat
• This formula contains one or more toxic substances (while some Chinese herbs are toxic, it must be noted that many come prepared, or are combined, to mitigate their toxicity).

Preparation Notes:

• Decoction.

Originally Appeared In:

• Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era (Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Lungs, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Liver, Kidneys

Substances in this Formula (11 Total):

	Zi Su Zi (Purple Perilla Fruit, Perilla Seed) 紫苏子 Qty: 9-12 grams Chan: LI, LU Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: Fructus Perillae Frutescentis Cat: Herbs that Relieve Coughing and Wheezing
	Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) 半夏 Qty: 6-9 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm, Toxic Latin: Rhizoma Pinelliae Tematae Cat: Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
	Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root) 当归 Qty: 6-9 grams Chan: HT, LIV, SP Prop: Sweet, Spicy, Bitter, Warm Latin: Radix Angelicae Sinensis Cat: Herbs that Tonify Blood
	Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 甘草 Qty: 3-4.5 grams Chan: All 12 (Primarily the LU, HT, SP, ST) Prop: Sweet, Neutral Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) 厚朴 Qty: 3-6 grams Chan: LI, LU, SP, ST Prop: Bitter, Spicy, Warm, Aromatic Latin: Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis Cat: Aromatic Herbs that Transform and Dissolve Dampness
	Qian Hu (Hogfennel Root) 前胡 Qty: 6-9 grams Chan: LU Prop: Bitter, Spicy, Slightly Cold Latin: Radix Peucedani Cat: Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
	Rou Gui (Inner Bark of Saigon Cinnamon) 肉桂 Qty: 1.5-3 grams Chan: HT, KI, LIV, SP Prop: Spicy, Sweet, Hot Latin: Cortex Cinnamomi Cassiae Cat: Herbs that Warm the Interior and Expel Cold
	Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) 生姜 Qty: 2 Slices Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Da Zao (Date, Jujube) 大枣 Qty: 3 pieces Chan: SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf) 紫苏叶 Qty: 5 Leaves Chan: LU, SP Prop: Spicy, Aromatic, Warm Latin: Perillae Folium Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Chen Pi (Orange Peel, Citrus Peel, Tangerine Peel) 陈皮 Qty: 6-9 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Bitter, Warm, Aromatic Latin: Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Cat: Herbs that Regulate the Qi