1. Strengthening Defensive Qi

1. Strengthening Defensive Qi

(1) Lung-Kidney Type

The lungs and kidneys generate each other (metal and water), so lung deficiency can lead to kidney deficiency. Yang deficiency gives rise to external cold, and lung-kidney yang deficiency often indicates reduced organ function; yin deficiency leads to internal heat, and lung-kidney yin deficiency often suggests hyperactive organ function. According to clinical experience, the white blood cell count in peripheral blood tends to be lower in the former case, while it tends to increase in the latter. However, there is no significant difference in bone marrow morphology between the two.

① Lung-Kidney Yin Deficiency

[Symptoms］ Dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, frequent dreams, fever, especially in the afternoon, flushed cheeks, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, accompanied by low voice and physical weakness. Tongue is red, pulse is fine and rapid.

[Treatment］ Tonify qi and nourish yin

[Formula］ Qi-Nourishing and Yin-Tonifying Decoction: 30g of northern ginseng, 30g of Lu Dangshen, 15g of Huai Shan Yao, 12g of Ren Shen Xu, 9g of Mai Dong, 30g of floating wheat, 30g of Shan Yu Rou, 30g of calcined oyster shell, 3g of northern schisandra, 9g of sour jujube seed, 9g of roasted licorice, 15g of calcined dragon bone, 24g of Sheng Di Huang, and 1 jujube.

② Lung-Kidney Yang Deficiency

[Symptoms］ Pale complexion, soreness in the lower back and spine, hearing loss, frequent and clear urination, shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, aversion to cold and excessive sweating, poor eyesight, pale tongue, thin white coating, and deep, weak pulse.

[Formula］ Qi-Tonifying and Yang-Assisting Decoction: 9g of Jilin ginseng root, 30g of Lu Dangshen, 15g of Tai Zi Shen, 12g of Mai Dong, 5g of schisandra, 15g of goji berries, 24g of Shan Yu Rou, 24g of Shu Di, 18g of He Shou Wu, 9g of Bu Gu Zhi, 24g of Rou Cong Rong, 12g of Ba Ji Tian, 9g of A Jiao Zhu, 9g of deer antler glue, 18g of chicken blood vine, 3 slices of ginger, and 5 jujubes.

(2) Lung-Kidney-Liver Type

Based on lung-kidney yin deficiency, if liver yin is also deficient, and water fails to nourish wood, then lung-kidney yin deficiency and liver yin deficiency occur; if liver yang is excessively strong, yang excess intensifies, potentially transforming into fire and wind, resulting in internal liver wind.

① Lung-Kidney Yin Deficiency, Liver Yin Deficiency

[Symptoms］ Shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, dizziness, tinnitus, dry eyes, blurred vision, irritability, lower back pain, leg weakness or numbness, difficulty bending and stretching, low-grade fever, burning sensation in the palms and soles, especially in the afternoon, women may experience light menstrual flow or amenorrhea, thirst, dry stools, and a fine, rapid, and weak pulse with a string-like quality. Tongue is red with little coating. Apart from elevated white blood cell count, other blood parameters are all decreased.

[Treatment］ Tonify qi and nourish yin, clear the liver, and calm the wind.

[Formula］ Modified Sheng Mai Di Huang Decoction: 15g of shashen, 15g of mai dong, 6g of schisandra, 18g of shu di, 24g of shan yao, 15g of shan yu rou, 9g of yun ling, 9g of ze xie, 6g of dan pi, 9g of zhi shou wu, 9g of goji berries, 15g of guiban jiao, 15g of sheng bie jia, 9g of nü zhen zi, 9g of han lian cao, 9g of ye bai he, 24g of sheng huang qi, 9g of dang gui, 6g of jilin ginseng root, 9g of tai zi shen, 9g of dang shen, 9g of qing hao, 9g of bie xue chao chai hu, 6g of sheng gan cao.

If liver yang is overly strong, add 12g of gou ding, 12g of shi jue ming, 12g of long gu, 12g of mu li, 9g of dried lotus leaves, and 9g of bitter ding tea to alleviate dizziness. If liver blood is insufficient and menstruation is light, add 9g of bai shao and 9g of yi mu cao.