ClickAboveBlue text “Wuwei Academy ” → Click the top right corner “…” → Select “Set as a favorite ★ ”Then you won’t miss any good articles!
Li Zhenhua, the first National Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine, former chief physician at Henan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a guiding teacher for the inheritance of academic experience from renowned TCM experts nationwide. This article summarizes Li Zhenhua’s treatment experience of exogenous diseases centered on the spleen and stomach, as follows, for the benefit of colleagues.
Exogenous disease syndromes are caused by external pathogens attacking the surface, entering the interior, or lingering, leading to dysfunction of the organs. Due to the different natures of the pathogens, the damage to the organs and the characteristics of the syndromes also vary. The “Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach” states: “Internal injury to the spleen and stomach harms its qi; external invasion of wind and cold harms its form. Excess from external injury should be purged; deficiency from internal injury should be tonified.”
● Wind-Cold Common Cold
Chills and fever, headache without sweating, nasal congestion with a heavy voice, sneezing, body aches, no thirst, clear and long urination, cough with white phlegm, pale red tongue, floating and tight pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Warm and acrid to release the exterior, clear heat and harmonize the stomach.
【Formula】: Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) 8g, Bai Shao (White Peony) 15g, Ge Gen (Kudzu Root) 15g, Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage) 10g, Qian Hu (Hogfennel) 10g, Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel) 10g, Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel) 10g, Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) 10g, Jing Jie (Schizonepeta) 10g, Gan Cao (Licorice) 3g.
● Wind-Cold Cough (Throat Itch)
Mild fever, cough with white phlegm, throat itch, body aches, worsens with cold, no thirst, clear and long urination, pale red tongue, floating and rapid pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Expel wind and scatter cold, diffuse the lungs and stop cough.
【Formula】: Qian Hu, Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Bei Mu (Fritillaria), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), Su Zi (Perilla Seed), Jing Jie, Zhi Sang Pi (Fried Mulberry Bark), Zhi Dong Hua (Fried Winter Flower), Ju Hong (Tangerine Peel), Ban Xia (Pinellia), Jie Geng (Platycodon), Su Geng (Perilla Stem), Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange) each 10g, Xing Ren 6g, Gan Cao 3g, Sheng Jiang 5 slices as a guide.
● Internal Injury with Exogenous Attack
Fever and chills, alternating cold and heat, mild in the morning and severe in the evening, sweating without relief, headache, poor appetite, abdominal distension, white greasy tongue coating, pale red tongue, wiry and rapid pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Resolve both exterior and interior, harmonize nutritive and defensive qi.
【Formula】: Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Xiang Fu (Cyperus), Chen Pi, Shan Zha (Hawthorn), Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel), Sheng Jiang each 10g, Chuan Xiong 12g, Bai Shao 15g, Gui Zhi, Sha Ren (Amomum) each 8g, Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia) 4g, Gan Cao 3g, Hong Tang (Brown Sugar) 30g as a guide.
● Wind-Heat Common Cold
Mild fever with slight aversion to wind and cold, dry and painful throat, possible redness and swelling, headache, spontaneous sweating, thirst, cough with yellow phlegm, flushed complexion, yellow urine, thin yellow or thin white tongue coating, red tongue, floating and rapid pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Acrid and cool to release the exterior, diffuse the lungs and clear heat.
【Formula】: Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle), Dan Dou Chi (Fermented Soybean) each 12g, Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Ge Gen each 15g, Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), Gong Ying (Dandelion), Jing Jie, Jie Geng each 10g, Bo He (Mint) 7g, Gan Cao 3g.
【Herb Adjustments】: If heat is severe, add Sheng Shi Gao (Gypsum) 15-30g, Zhi Mu 12g, Ban Lan Gen (Isatis) 20g; for cough with heavy yellow phlegm, add Xing Ren, Chuan Bei Mu each 10g, Sheng Sang Pi 15g, Di Gu Pi (Lycium) 12g.
● Influenza
Fever without aversion to cold, or slight aversion to cold, mild sweating or no sweating, headache, itchy and painful throat, dry mouth, cough, possibly wheezing, sputum or little sputum with difficulty in expectoration, poor appetite, yellow urine, thin white tongue coating, slightly red tongue, floating and rapid pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Clear heat and detoxify, acrid and cool to release the exterior.
【Formula】: Lian Qiao, Jie Geng, Qian Niu Zi (Morning Glory Seed), Sheng Sang Pi, Xing Ren each 10g, Ge Gen, Jin Yin Hua, Gong Ying, Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia) each 15g, Zhi Mu 12g, Sheng Shi Gao 20g, Gan Cao 3g.
【Herb Adjustments】: If there is chest tightness and wheezing, even wheezing, add Ma Huang (Ephedra) 8g.
● Wind-Heat Cough
Mild fever, sweating, cough, difficulty in expectoration, phlegm is yellow and sticky, dry throat and mouth, possibly severe throat pain.
【Treatment Method】: Clear heat, diffuse the lungs, acrid and cool to release the exterior.
【Formula】: Bei Sha Shen (North American Ginseng), Sheng Sang Pi, Di Gu Pi each 15g, Qian Hu, Huang Qin, Xing Ren, Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthes Fruit), Zhi Mu, Lu Gen (Reed), Bei Mu, Jie Geng, Bo He, Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf) each 10g, Zhi Qiao 12g, Gan Cao 3g.
● Gastrointestinal Type Common Cold
Fever and chills, headache, body aches, alternating cold and heat, poor appetite, abdominal distension, severe diarrhea, nausea, possibly vomiting, white greasy tongue coating, slightly enlarged tongue, pale red tongue, slippery and rapid pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach, warm and acrid to release the exterior.
【Formula】: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Zhu Ling (Polyporus), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), Chen Pi, Chai Hu each 10g, Fu Ling (Poria) 15g, Ze Xie (Alisma) 12g, Gui Zhi 6g, Ge Gen, Wu Zhu Yu each 5g, Gan Cao 3g, Sheng Jiang 5 slices, Da Zao (Jujube) 5 pieces as a guide.
● Qi Deficiency Common Cold
Common in the elderly or those with recurrent colds, weak body, low fever, slight aversion to wind, headache, body aches, fatigue, no dry mouth, no throat pain, clear and long urination, prolonged illness, possibly recurrent colds, pale tongue, white coating, deep and thin pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Tonify qi, strengthen the spleen, harmonize nutritive and defensive qi.
【Formula】: Huang Qi (Astragalus) 20g, Dang Shen (Codonopsis) 5g, Fang Feng (Siler), Bai Zhu, Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), Chai Hu, Sha Ren, Chen Pi each 10g, Gui Zhi 6g, Bai Shao 12g, Gan Cao 3g, Sheng Jiang 5 slices, Da Zao 5 pieces.
【Herb Adjustments】: After recovery, remove Bai Zhi, Chai Hu, and change Gan Cao to Zhi Gan Cao (Fried Licorice) 6g to strengthen the spleen and tonify qi, preventing colds.
● Yin Deficiency Common Cold
Common in those with inherent yin deficiency or suffering from tuberculosis. Mild fever, early light and late heavy, sweating with aversion to wind, fatigue, dizziness, headache, dry throat, thirst, five hearts heat, thin yellow tongue coating, red tongue, thin and rapid pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Nourish yin, clear heat, acrid and cool to release the exterior.
【Formula】: Bei Sha Shen 20g, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) 15g, Sang Ye, Ju Hua, Ge Gen, Bo He, Dan Dou Chi, Jie Geng, Yin Chai Hu (Silver Flower), Huang Qin each 10g, Gan Cao 3g.
【Herb Adjustments】: If cough is severe, add Zhi Mu, Chuan Bei, Xing Ren, Su Zi each 10g; if no sweating, add Jing Jie 10g, Sheng Jiang 5 slices as a guide.
● Wind-Cold with Dampness Common Cold
Mild fever, aversion to wind and cold, joint pain, overall body aches, headache, heavy head, poor appetite, white thick greasy tongue coating, pale tongue, soft and rapid pulse.
【Treatment Method】: Expel wind, scatter cold, eliminate dampness and release the exterior.
【Formula】: Qiang Huo (Notopterygium), Du Huo (Angelica), Bai Zhi, Huo Xiang (Agastache), Sha Ren, Hou Po, Chuan Xiong, Fang Feng each 10g, Chai Hu, Ge Gen each 12g, Gui Zhi 5g, Xi Xin (Asarum), Gan Cao each 3g. The above are adult dosages, children should be adjusted; each type of cold can be adjusted according to symptoms, tailored to the individual.
Based on Li’s clinical experience, the treatment of exogenous diseases is summarized into the above 10 types, with ten methods reflecting the TCM principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment. In treating exogenous diseases, emphasis is placed on protecting the spleen and stomach, as the above formulas often include herbs that tonify qi and strengthen the spleen. Dong Yuan stated: “Internal injury to the spleen and stomach leads to the emergence of a hundred diseases.” The spleen and stomach are the foundation of postnatal life, the storage of grains, located centrally, nourishing the surrounding areas. Zhang Zhongjing also emphasized the spleen and stomach in treating exogenous cold damage. For example, Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) can harm stomach qi due to its cold nature, hence the addition of glutinous rice to protect stomach qi. In Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), ginger and jujube harmonize the middle burner, strengthen the spleen and stomach, while also promoting sweating to expel pathogens, protecting stomach qi. The “Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) – Su Wen” states: “When the righteous qi is preserved internally, evil cannot invade; where evil gathers, its qi must be deficient.” The spleen and stomach transform and transport the essence of food and water, ensuring sufficient qi and blood, which allows the righteous qi to flourish, preventing the body from being invaded by external pathogens and enabling quick recovery after illness. Li Zhenhua often treats diseases based on the spleen and stomach and proposes the academic viewpoint of “spleen deficiency without excess, stomach with more excess” and the treatment philosophy of “the spleen should be strengthened, the liver should be soothed, and the stomach should be harmonized,” achieving significant results in treating spleen and stomach diseases and also effectively addressing difficult and miscellaneous diseases.
In summary, TCM treatment of exogenous disease syndromes should follow the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment, with the above ten methods for reference, while addressing the main symptoms, also considering the middle burner spleen and stomach, which aids in the early recovery from illness.
【Source: China Traditional Chinese Medicine News, content excerpted from “China Traditional Chinese Medicine News” August 27, 2021, Fifth Edition, Li Mengqi, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine】.
End
Warm Reminder:The various prescriptions and formulas mentioned in this article are for reference and study by professional TCM practitioners only and should not be used as prescriptions. Please do not use them blindly; this platform does not bear any responsibility for any consequences arising from this!
Brand Promotion/Corporate Interview/Submission Cooperation
Please add: 15602222156
Click 「Like」 + 「Looking」
Let more people see it 