| formula | Yin-Nourishing and Lung-Clearing Decoction Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang |
| source | Zhonglou Yuyao Volume 1 |
Rehmannia 6 gm, Ophiopogon 3.6 gm, Licorice 1.5 gm, Scrophularia 4.5 gm, Fritillaria 2.5 gm (de-cored), Moutan 2.5 gm, Mint 1.5 gm, stir-fried White Peony 2.4 gm.
bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage
decocted in water for administration .
Enriching yin and clearing the lung.
Diphtheria. The throat develops white patches that resemble decay and are difficult to remove, with swelling and pain in the throat. Initially, there may or may not be fever, with dryness in the nose and lips, and possible coughing or absence of coughing. Breathing is noisy, with panting and counterflow of qi, and in severe cases, flaring of the nostrils and a rapid pulse.
bubble_chart Formula Principles
The diphtheria treated by this formula is mostly caused by lung-kidney yin deficiency combined with the invasion of seasonal epidemic toxins. The treatment should focus on nourishing yin fluids, clearing the lungs, and removing toxins. In the formula, Unprocessed Rehmannia Root nourishes kidney yin, Ophiopogon Tuber nourishes lung yin, and Scrophularia Root nourishes yin and supplements fluids, while also clearing heat and removing toxins. The combination of these three herbs enhances the effects of nourishing yin and clearing heat. Moutan Bark cools the blood and reduces swelling. Fritillaria Bulb moistens the lungs and relieves cough, clears heat, and resolves phlegm. Mint, with its cool and dispersing properties, disperses pathogens and benefits the throat. Licorice Root removes toxins and harmonizes the other herbs. Together, these herbs work synergistically to enrich yin and clear the lungs.
bubble_chart Formula Modification
For physical weakness, increase Prepared Rehmannia Root; for severe heat, add Forsythia and remove Peony Root; for severe dryness, add Asparagus Root and Poria.bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology
The study "Anti-diphtheria Bacillus Fujian Chinese Medicine" (1964, Issue 5:1-12) demonstrated that the formula has a high bacteriostatic and bactericidal capacity against diphtheria bacillus, as well as a strong neutralizing effect on the bacillus in vitro, which not only destroys the toxicity of the toxin but also its antigenicity. Among the ingredients, Unprocessed Rehmannia Root, Moutan Bark, and Liquorice Root exhibited stronger antibacterial properties, while Scrophularia Root, Ophiopogon Tuber, and Fritillaria Bulb showed greater toxin-neutralizing capabilities. Peony Root was notably effective in both aspects, whereas Mentha performed poorly in both. The antibacterial and toxin-neutralizing effects appear to be two independent properties. Removing any single ingredient from the original formula resulted in reduced antibacterial activity, but the toxin-neutralizing capacity remained largely unaffected.
