2. Chronic Bronchitis

2. Chronic Bronchitis

In TCM, this disease is called "prolonged cough" or "asthmatic cough," falling under the category of internal injury cough. Improper treatment of external pathogenic factors can lead to internal injury cough. This disease is triggered by external factors, causing repeated exacerbations. TCM has long recognized that "the manifestation lies in the lungs, while the root lies in the spleen and kidneys." The "manifestation" refers to the symptoms, while the "root" refers to the underlying cause, indicating that treating the spleen and kidneys is fundamental to curing this disease. Using the spleen-strengthening method to treat chronic bronchitis is the traditional "nourishing earth to generate metal" approach; using the kidney-tonifying method to treat chronic bronchitis is the traditional "warming the kidneys to collect qi" approach; applying both methods simultaneously is the spleen-strengthening and kidney-tonifying method.

For a long time, following the above principles of differentiation and treatment, good therapeutic effects have been achieved in the prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis. The Xiyuan Hospital of the Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine achieved an effectiveness rate of 95.5% in treating this disease with Guben Wan, a formula combining Liu Jun Zi Tang, Yu Ping Feng San, Psoralea corylifolia, and Zihéche, all aimed at strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidneys. The Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine also achieved good results by using a formula combining cinnamon, Aconitum carmichaelii, Atractylodes macrocephala, and dried ginger to create Tan Yin Wan for treating this disease. Judging from the composition of this formula, it still falls under the spleen-strengthening and kidney-tonifying method.

In the summer of 1978, the author encountered a patient with silicosis: a 60-year-old man with facial edema, cyanosis of the lips, coughing and shortness of breath, thin and clear sputum, difficulty breathing (requiring intermittent oxygen therapy), aversion to cold, intestinal rumbling and loose stools, abdominal fullness and poor appetite. A chest X-ray revealed emphysema combined with right heart enlargement, indicating that the silicosis had reached an advanced stage. His pulse was deep and slippery, both pulses were weak, his tongue was dark purple, and his coating was slightly yellow and greasy. Based on spleen-kidney yang deficiency and the kidney's inability to collect qi, the spleen-strengthening and kidney-tonifying method was applied, using Gui Fu Ba Wei Wan combined with Jin Shui Liu Jun Jian, adjusted up and down as needed. After taking over 40 doses, all symptoms significantly improved, and his breathing became regular.