5. Ophiopogon Decoction from “Distinguishing Confusion Between Internal and External Injuries”

5. Ophiopogon Decoction (from “Distinguishing Confusion Between Internal and External Injuries”)

Indications: Children with severe cough and high fever, chest and diaphragm congestion.

Take one liang of Ophiopogon japonicus (core removed), five qian of ginger (extract juice), and two liang of almond (peeled, pitted, and fried in honey). First boil Ophiopogon japonicus and almonds in one cup of water until reduced to four-tenths, then squeeze out the juice in a sand basin. Next, put the juice in a silver pot, add ginger juice, simmer over low heat until it becomes a paste, store in a porcelain container, take half a teaspoon mixed with thin porridge, twice a day, once at night, adjust dosage according to child’s size.