A Case of Coughing (Hu Xi-Shu (胡希恕) Case)

Huang, Female, 38 years old

Initial diagnosis was on Feb 12, 1966: Patient presented with a cough combined with expectoration of white phlegm, itchy throat, chest fullness, a dry throat with no desire for fluids and bilateral rib side distension. She has already taken several packages of herbal formulas to no avail. Her tongue coating was thick and slimy, and her pulse slippery-thin.

This pattern belongs to phlegm-rheum harassing the upper (burner), and impaired depurative downbearing of the lungs. This was treated by warm transformation and downbearing counterflow with a modified version of Ban Xia Hou Po Tang.

Ban Xia 4 qian Hou Po 3 qian Fu Ling 4 qian Su Zi 3 qian Ju Pi 5 qian Xing Ren 3 qian Jie Geng 3 qian Sheng Jiang 3 qian

Results: After taking only 2 packages of the above herbs, the cough had stopped.

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang is originally from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the golden cabinet) in the miscellaneous gynecological diseases section. Originally used for “female patients with the sensation of fried meat in the back of the throat”

Dr. Hu believed this formula to be Xiao Ban Xia Jia Fu Ling Tang with the additions of Hou Po and Su Ye. It is used in phlegm-rheum qi bind manifesting with chest fullness, throat blockage and cough. It warms and transforms phlegm-rheum, downbears counterflow and regulates Qi. The patient above was manifesting with a phlegm-rheum cough, therefore the use of this formula offered a quick resolution. The original formula contains (Zi) Su Ye, but Dr. Hu prefers to use (Zi) Su Zi. If there are obvious exterior signs present, then (Zi) Su Ye may be added, and you may also add either Gui Zhi Tang or Ma Huang Tang. If there are obvious heat signs then Sheng Shi Gao may be added. If there is an enduring cough due to cold rheum, without any obvious exterior signs, then combine with Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Xia Tang (Poria, Licorice, Schisandra, Ginger, Asarum, and Pinellia Decoction).