4. Lung Disease Differentiation

4. Lung Disease Differentiation

(1) Lung Cold Cough

Headache, fever, chills, cough, thin and clear sputum, and a floating, tight pulse—all indicate Expelling Exterior Pathogens, Dispersing Cold, and Relieving Cough using the Ma Huang Tang (Zhang Zhongjing). This condition is a combination of wind-cold exterior syndrome and cough.

(2) Lung Heat Cough

Headache, fever, thirst, excessive drinking, irritability, cough and wheezing, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse—all indicate Clearing Heat, Opening the Lungs, and Relieving Cough using the Maxing Shigan Tang (Zhang Zhongjing). This condition is a combination of wind-heat exterior syndrome and cough.

(3) Lung Dryness Cough

Dry mouth, dry throat, dry nose, cough with sticky, difficult-to-expectorate sputum, and a tongue with little moisture—all indicate Clearing Dryness and Saving the Lungs using the Qingzao Jiufei Tang (Yu Jiayan). Dryness manifests in three forms; this condition combines the three-dry symptom complex with cough and sticky sputum.

(4) Phlegm Turbidity Blocking the Lungs

Phlegm obstructing the lungs, coughing and gasping, unable to lie down—indicates Guiding Phlegm and Opening the Lungs using the Suzi Jiangqi Tang (Jufang) or the Tingli Dazao Xiefei Tang (Zhang Zhongjing).

(5) Lung Qi Deficiency

Pale complexion, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, fatigue, cough with sticky sputum, a plump, pale tongue, and a moist, fine pulse—all indicate Tonifying Qi and Supplementing the Lungs using the Bufei Tang with added ingredients (empirical formula).

(6) Lung Yin Deficiency

Cough with sticky sputum, sticky sputum that is hard to expectorate, blood in the sputum, bone-steaming heat, vexation in the five hearts, and night sweats—all indicate Nourishing Yin and Clearing the Lungs using the Baihe Gujin Tang (Zhao Jie’an). This condition combines yin deficiency symptoms with lung cough symptoms.