when the factor  pathogen penetrates the body and requires the use of perspiration to expel before it invades the interior. When the disease is at the level of the skin, treatment is easier. After the skin and hair, the next attack is at the level of:

- muscle and flesh

- tendons and vessels

- six yang viscera

- six yin organs

​

The treatment must be either expelling Exterior first or treating Exterior and Interior simultaneously.

The formulas of this element the Metal  they are inappropriate for treating inner disorders alone, rashes and deficiency edema. These treat disorders  acute and by sawing floodgates of light and volatile substances if subjected to too much heat, they lose their effect.

​

Dosing requires observation of the patient's constitution, climate and season. If the patient sweats easily, lives in a hot climate, and only catches illnesses in spring or summer, gentler treatment is required. If it doesn't sweat easily, live in a cold climate and contract the disease in autumn or winter, it requires stronger treatment.

​

Remember that excess sweating damages Qi and fluids (yin), so always be cautious.

I - FORMULA THAT RELIEVES THE OUTDOOR COLD

​

Cold wind disorders are marked by fever to chills, headache and body pain, clear or white nasal discharge with a shallow pulse.

Observe the patient's defensive Qi. If strong, cold can close the pores and prevent sweating and this will require a formula that produces strong stimulation. If the defensive Qi is weak there will be little sweating as it cannot expel the pathogenic factor. We must treat sweating by tonifying defensive Qi and nourishing Qi.

​

Ma Huang Tang

relieves outside cold and improves difficult breathing​

Disperse wind-cold
stop asthma
cleanse the lungs

​

MAIN

Fever, cold intolerance, generalized pain, headache, asthma and lack of sweating.

​

Ma Huang Tang is indicated for external cold syndromes characterized by absence of sweating known as cold attack.

​

SYNDROMES

The cold wind attacks the lungs
Tai Yang channel attack as quoted in Shang Han Lun
Early-stage cold wind Bi syndrome

Breathing problems from cold and painful obstructions from cold wind dampness

Bleeding in the nose with no sweating, shallow and tight pulse (typical of frostbite)

​

SYMPTOMS

Itching or tickling in the throat
hisses
sneezing
panting
Cough with thin white, watery or frothy sputum expectoration
body aches in general
no thirsty
dyspnea
Headache
Chills with low fever

Asthma
cold intolerance
anhidrosis
Stuffy and/or running nose with watery nasal discharge
chest discomfort
neck stiffness

​

language: pink
Saburra: Thin, white and moist
Pulse: Shallow and tight

​

Gui Zhi Tang

alleviates pathogenic influences on the muscle layer

and regulates defensive and nourishing Qi

​

For fever and chills that are not relieved by sweating, headache, stomach upset, wind aversion, stiff neck, nasal congestion and  without thirst.

White, thin and moist coating

Pulse: superficial

​

Defensive Qi is associated with Yang and protects the Exterior, and nourishing Qi is associated with Yin and nourishes and stabilizes the Interior.

​

When the cold wind invades the muscles and the Exterior, there is headache and stiff neck (attack on Tai Yang).

​

The lungs control Qi and are associated with the skin, hair and nose.

​

Gui Zhi Tang is indicated for external cold syndrome characterized by the presence of perspiration known as wind attack.

This formula serves as the basis for many other formulas such as:

Xiao Jian Zhong

Dang Gui Si Ni Tang

Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang

​

MAIN

Diaphoretic ​

Regulates Yin (muscle or nutrient system)

Wei (defensive system)

​

SYNDROMES

The cold wind attacks the lungs
Tai Yang channel attack as quoted in Shang Han Lun
Early-stage cold wind Bi syndrome

Breathing problems from cold and painful obstructions from cold wind dampness

Bleeding in the nose with no sweating, shallow and tight pulse (typical of frostbite)

​

SYMPTOMS

Fever and chills not relieved by sweating
Headache
spontaneous sweating
Decreased body resistance
wind aversion
Nasal congestion
no thirsty
dry surveys
Torticollis

​

Language: Normal
Saburra: White and wet
Pulse: Floating and weak or slow or moderate

​

Xiao Qing Long Tang

relieves the outside, transforms fluid congestion

warms the Lungs and directs the Qi down

​

MAIN

launch abroad
Transforms congested fluids (thin mucus)
Transform Phlegm
Warm up the Lungs
descends qi
Relieves wheezing and coughing

​

Xiao Qing Long Tang is practically the union of the two previous formulas and treats cold wind with fluid congestion due to blockage of the Lung or deficiency of the Spleen.

​

This formula can be used to treat disorders such as chronic bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis and flu.

​

RECOMMENDATION

Diaphoretics, disperses the wind and resolves the stagnation of water and fluids. Warm the lungs.

Fever and chills without sweating, coughing, labored breathing, white, abundant and fibrous mucus with difficulty in expectoration, suffocating sensation  in the chest and generalized sensation  of heaviness and pain in the body without thirst.

In severe cases there may be superficial edema, difficulty breathing when lying down, chronic problems with water metabolism and fluid congestion in the spleen and weak lungs.

​

Tongue: white

Saburra: greasy

Pulse: floating

​

SYMPTOMS

Fever and chills (predominant chills)
anhidrosis
Cough
Wheezing (asthma)
Abundant sputum, white, sticky and difficult to expectorate
suffocating feeling in the chest
lacrimation
Overall weight (especially upper body)
body aches in general
no thirsty
Floating edema (severe)

​

II - FORMULA FOR  EXTERIOR WIND HEAT

​

Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang

facilitates the flow of qi from the lungs downwards

clears heat and calms nasal congestion

  ACTION

Disperses the heat of the wind
To the  asthma
cleanse the lungs
descends qi

​

  SYMPTOMS

The heat from the wind attacks the lungs
Wind cold turned into heat
Wen Bing - Heat of the lungs in the Wei Qi stage (initial)

Tongue:  Red
Coating: yellow or white
Pulse: Shallow and fast or Slippery and fast

MANIFESTATION

Cough with thick sticky yellow sputum
Sore throat, red and swollen
Thirsty, wanting to drink cold liquids
Runny nose or stuffy nose with thick yellow discharge
Vertigo
Dry throat
Dizziness
Fever with or without sweating
light chills
wind aversion
Headache
Dyspnea with dilated nostrils and pain

​

Qing Long Tang

soothes the outside and lightens the heat inside

​

  ACTION

Promotes diaphoresis
launch abroad
cleans the heat inside
Relieves irritability

​

  NOTE

This is one of the strongest diaphoretic formulas.

​

  SYMPTOMS

Exogenous wind-cold invasion with interior heat
​

Language: Normal
Saburra: Fine white or yellow
Pulse: Floating and tight or Fast or Tight and fast or rope and tight

​

  MANIFESTATION

Severe fever and sweatless chills
cold intolerance
Irritability
restlessness
Headache
Cough
Wheezing (asthma)
Muscle aches
body aches in general
Thirst
Weight and pain throughout the body
Shortness of breathe

​

Sang Ju Yin

relieves sweating, relieves the surface  

eliminates the wind heat and stops the cough

​

  ACTION

Disperses the heat of the wind
for the cough
cleanse the lungs

​

SYMPTOMS

The heat from the wind attacks the lungs (initial stage)
Wen Bing Wei Dry Heat Internship
Summer heat with humidity
damp heat

​

MANIFESTATION

Cough with thick, sticky, yellow sputum
Sore throat, red and swollen
Slight thirst, wanting to drink cold liquids
Runny nose or stuffy nose with thick yellow discharge
Dizziness
Vertigo
maybe chest pain
Mild fever with sweating
Red eyes
light chills
eye pain
Photophobia
wind aversion
Maybe dyspnea with dilated nostrils
Headache

Tongue: Red tip
Saburra: Fine and yellow or white
Pulse: Shallow and fast

​

Yin Xiao San

disperses wind heat, clears heat and eliminates toxicity

ACTION

Disperses the heat of the wind
cools the heat
Relieves toxicity

​

SYMPTOMS

The heat from the wind attacks the lungs
Wen Bing - Wei Qi Wind-Heat Internship
dry heat
Summer heat with humidity
damp heat

​

MANIFESTATION

Dry cough
Sore throat, red and swollen
Slight thirst, wanting to drink cold liquids
Runny nose or stuffy nose
fever with little sweating
light chills
maybe high fever
wind aversion
Headache
There may be dyspnea with dilated nostrils
 

Tongue: Red tip
Saburra: Fine and yellow or white
Pulse: Shallow and fast

​

Qiang Lang Tang

relieves the exterior, clears heat and relieves toxicity

​

ACTION

diaphoretic

disperses heat and toxins

​​

SYMPTOMS

fever

cold intolerance 

headache 

muscle aches

sore throat

​

MANIFESTATION

mumps

epidemic mumps

respiratory tract infection

acute tonsillitis

pharyngitis

swollen and sore throat

​

Tongue: Red tip or whole 
Sabura: absent
Pulse: Shallow and fast

​

III - FORMULA THAT RELIEVES OUTDOOR COLD WITH HEAD AND NECK SYMPTOMS

​

Xin Yi  san

scatters cold wind

unlocks the nasal passage

  NOTE

Cold wind with sinus congestion or rhinitis

  ACTION

expels wind cold
Unlocks the nasal passages

​

  SYMPTOMS

Nasal congestion and pain
Abundant and persistent nasal discharge
loss of smell
runny nose
difficulty breathing
Headache

Language: Normal
Saburra: White
Pulse: Floating and tight

​

  MANIFESTATION

common flu
Stuffy nose
Nasal congestion
chronic rhinitis
Sinusitis
rhinitis
nasal polyps
nasal empyema
Allergic rhinitis
Allergy
sinus congestion
sinus headache

​

Ge Gen Tang

relieves the exterior, relaxes muscle layers and generates fluids ​

​

  NOTE

For common cold from cold wind attacking the Tai Yang ​

​

  ACTION

Releases wind-cold in the outer and muscular layer
Generates fluids
Relieves neck muscle pain

​

  SYNDROME

Tai Yang Shang Han with stiff neck and upper back
Transition stage between acute and chronic rhinitis or sinusitis
Early stage cold wind Bi syndrome

​

SYMPTOMS

chills and fever
anhidrosis
neck pain
Rigid and rigid neck, shoulders and upper back
wind intolerance
I do not like cold
Inflammation
Diarrhea
muscle spasms
Mucosal swelling
Nasal congestion
dust sensitivity
Headache
Bi wind cold syndrome

(few affected joints, severe but short-lived inflammation, changes over days or weeks)

Language: Normal
Saburra: Thin and White
Pulse: Floating and tight

​

Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San

relieves the exterior, relaxes muscle layers and generates fluids ​

​

  NOTE

For common cold from cold wind attacking the Tai Yang ​

​

  ACTION

Releases wind-cold in the outer and muscular layer
Generates fluids
Relieves neck muscle pain

​

  SYNDROME

Tai Yang Shang Han with stiff neck and upper back
Transition stage between acute and chronic rhinitis or sinusitis
Early stage cold wind Bi syndrome

​

SYMPTOMS

chills and fever
anhidrosis
neck pain
Rigid and rigid neck, shoulders and upper back
wind intolerance
I do not like cold
Inflammation
Diarrhea

​

Cang Er Zi

disperses wind, relieves pain, opens nasal orifices, smelly sinusitis

​

  NOTE

This herb is said to cool fever, detoxify, kill parasites and eliminate pathogenic wind.
This herb has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
It is effective in removing nasal polyps.

​

  ACTION

Disperses wind and moisture and opens nasal passages

Disperses wind and dissipates moisture

Dispels the outside wind

​

  SYNDROME

Any nasal or sinus problem with thick discharge and related sinus headache

​

SYMPTOMS

Frontal and temporal headache

fever

sinusitis

chronic rhinitis

allergic rhinitis

​

language: normal

Coating: yellow or normal

Pulse: superficial

​

Qing Bi Tang

disperses cold wind/heat, relieves surface ​

eliminates nasal secretion, decongests the nose

​

  NOTE

clean your nose

This formula treats nasal congestion, rhinitis and sinusitis as a result of an invasion of wind or that remains after the wind signals disappear.

​

  ACTION

launch abroad
clean the heat
Solves toxicity
Unlocks the nasal passages
Dry the moisture on the head
Dispels pus

​

  SYNDROME

Tai Yang Shang Han (wind cold) that transforms into Yang Ming
wind heat

​

SYMPTOMS

Nasal obstruction caused by heat dampness
Stuffy nose
Yellow and sticky runny nose
sneezing
Headache
tendency to constipation
may have a fever
facial blush
Itching in the nose and throat
Decreased sense of smell
Decrease in energy
Fatigue
Earache

Tongue: Tends to red
Sabura: It can be yellow
Pulse: Complete and fast

​

Bi Yin Pian

disperses the wind, clears the heat, transforms phlegm,

removes toxicity and unblocks the nasal passage ​

​

  NOTE

Rhinitis is linked to insufficiency of Lung Qi and subsequently to the loss of protection of the respiratory tract from external agents such as viruses and bacteria. This formula works on levels to relieve rhinitis and sinusitis by clearing the nasal passages in five days.

​

  ACTION

Reduces phlegm, opens nasal passages and reduces infection

​

  SYNDROME

Cold wind or heat wind invasion​

antihistamine for nasal heat/cold nasal disorders with swollen or painful sinuses

frontal headache with yellow or clear mucus

stuffy nose or congested with mucus in the face or ears

allergic problems

itchy eyes

nasal congestion

Tongue: red 

Coat: yellow

Pulse: slippery and fast

​

SYMPTOMS

Frontal and temporal headache

fever

sinusitis

chronic rhinitis

​

IV  - FORMULA THAT TRANSFORMS PHLEGUM AND EXTINGUISHES WIND

​

Zhi am San

coughs, transforms phlegm, disperses the exterior, distributes qi from the lungs

  NOTE

This formula is often used when external symptoms are almost completely expelled but the cough persists.

​

  ACTION

stop coughing
Transform Phlegm
launch abroad
Ventilate the lungs

  SYNDROME

Cough as a sequel of external wind-cold with phlegm
Tai Yang Zhong Feng with Phlegm

​

  SYMPTOMS

Cough
itchy throat
Maybe chills and fever or
Mild fever or no chills or fever
wind aversion
cold aversion
Sore throat with phlegm
Shortness of breathe
excessive sputum
Phlegm difficult to expectorate
Headache
Asthma

Language: Normal
Saburra: Thin and White
Pulse: Floating and moderate

​

  MANIFESTATION

cough with mucus

expectorant

persistent cough

cold

chronic tracheitis

​

V  - FORMULA TO EXPELL PHLEGM AND PROMOTE THE QI MOVEMENT

​

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang

promotes Qi movement, transforms phlegm, dissipates masses

puts downward action in the Qi rebellion

  NOTE

  - Used for deafness due to age or tension and stress at the end of the day.

​

  ACTION

Activate the Qi
descends the rebel qi
Eliminates phlegm
Dispels clumps
Relieves stagnation
 

  SYNDROME

Liver Qi Stagnation: Phlegm and Qi stagnant and blocked (plum pit)
Stagnant qi with phlegm retention

​

  MANIFESTATION

A blocked feeling in the throat, as if a plum pit is stuck there, which cannot be coughed up or swallowed. This feeling becomes more prominent during emotional disturbances and disappears when relaxed.
Distension and pain in the sides or flanks
Stifling sensation in the chest
tendency to sigh
melancholy
Depression
hypochondriac pain
Cough with profuse phlegm
vomiting
difficulty in swallowing
A delicate constitution
A tendency to tiredness
Palpitations
Abdominal distension
Muscle and skin flaccidity
Fear
Edema
Asthma
Insomnia
A suffocating sensation in the chest and hypochondrium
Irritability
inappropriate anger
Women:
irregular menstruation
dysmenorrhea
Distention and pain in the breasts before and during menstruation
 

language: pink
Saburra: Thin and white or moist or white and greasy
Pulse: Slippery and wiry (slippery due to phlegm), wiry and slow or tight