BreathEase addresses a mixed pattern of interior and exterior excess: Wind Cold invasion with a pre-existing concurrent Lung Phlegm Heat pattern in which the Lung Qi, obstructed and unable to descend, transforms into Heat. This pre-existing Lung Phlegm Heat can itself be a residual of a previous Wind Cold invasion. Wind Cold invasion typically impacts Lung Qi with three possible outcomes: Wind is expelled completely, Wind penetrates the Interior, or Wind appears to recede, however a residual pattern remains. In the third instance, the residual pattern typically lodges in the Lungs, leading to stagnation and accumulation of Damp that eventually becomes either Damp Phlegm or Phlegm Heat in the Lungs. This pattern typically occurs against a constitutional tendency or lifestyle that promotes Spleen Qi deficiency or Lung Qi deficiency. BreathEase addresses this third patter by clearing Heat, transforming Phlegm and redirecting the Lung Qi downward. It originally had two chief herbs: Ephedra to release the exterior Wind invasion, support the descending and dispersing function of the Lungs and transform Phlegm, and Gingko to astringe the Lungs and transform Phlegm. Ephedra has been replaced with Platycodon root, honey fried Stemona root and Cynanchum root and rhizome. Their combined actions replace the function of Ephedra. Platycodon root assists in descending and dispersing the Lung Qi, while simultaneously draining Phlegm and transforming either Hot or Cold Phlegm. It is widely used in combination with Chinese licorice root and rhizome to disseminate Lung Qi and transform Phlegm. Honey fried Stemona root strengthens the descending and dispersing function of the Lung Qi, and with Cynanchum root and rhizome, it addresses obstruction of Lung Qi from either an external or internal cause, and transforms excess Phlegm accumulation. Gingko seed combines with the assistants White mulberry root bark, Perilla fruit, Ginger cured Pinellia rhizome and Apricot seed to reinforce the descending and dispersing function of the Lung Qi and to transform Phlegm. The addition of Chinese skullcap root as an assistant further supports the draining downward of Heat from the Lungs. Purple aster root and rhizome replaces Tussilago flower, found in the original formula. Purple aster root and rhizome opens up and descends Lung Qi more effectively than Tussilago flower and is less moistening. It is a better fit in supporting one of the formula’s action; the dispersing of Phlegm. Chinese licorice root and rhizome moistens the Lungs and harmonizes the actions of the herbs in the formula. BreathEase clears Phlegm Heat accumulation in the Lungs with a possible Wind Cold Invasion. Similar formulas to clear Heat include: Qing Fei Clearing Formula to clear Lung Heat, Liver Fire and clear Phlegm Heat from the Lung; and Pinellia Dispersing Formula to clear Phlegm Heat from the Lungs. Exterior releasing formulas include: Blue Green Lung Formula to release an exterior Wind Cold invasion, to warm the Lungs and transform Phlegm; Calm Breath Formula to clear Heat from the Lungs caused by an external invasion, moisten Lungs and transform Phlegm; Great White Lung Formula to clear Wind Heat or Wind Cold invasion transforming into Heat in the Lung and clear Phlegm; and Lung Qi Release to warm and release an exterior lingering invasion. ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT Ding Chuan Tang was originally published in Marvelous Formula for the Health of Multitudes in 1550. This formula was also discussed by the Ming Dynasty scholar Wu Kun in Investigations of Medical Formulas.
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