Bronchial Asthma — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

Bronchial asthma is a paroxysmal allergic disease of the lungs.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

In TCM, this condition is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:

Cold-Type Asthma

Treatment principle: Diffuse the Lung and Dispel Cold, Resolve Phlegm and Calm Panting

Formula: Shegan Mahuang Tang (Belamcanda and Ephedra Decoction)

Heat-Type Asthma

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Diffuse the Lung, Resolve Phlegm and Settle Panting

Formula: Dingchuan Tang (Arrest Wheezing Decoction)

Lung Deficiency Syndrome

Treatment principle: Supplement the Lung and Boost Qi

Formula: Yupingfeng San (Jade Windscreen Powder) — from *Teachings of Master Danxi*

Spleen Deficiency Syndrome

Treatment principle: Fortify the Spleen and Boost Qi

Formula: Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) — from *Yi Xue Zheng Chuan*

Kidney Deficiency Syndrome

Treatment principle: Supplement the Kidney and Grasp Qi

Formula: Jingui Shenqi Wan (Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi Pill) — from *Synopsis of the Golden Chamber*

Wind-Cold Invading the Lung

Treatment principle: Diffuse the Lung and Dispel Cold

Formula: Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*; Huagai San (Ornamental Canopy Powder) — from *Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies*

Exterior Cold with Lung Heat

Treatment principle: Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior, Resolve Phlegm and Calm Panting

Formula: Maxing Shigan Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*

Phlegm-Heat Stagnating in the Lung

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Resolve Phlegm, Diffuse the Lung and Calm Panting

Formula: Sangbaipi Tang (Mulberry Bark Decoction) — from *Jingyue's Complete Works*

Phlegm-Turbidity Obstructing the Lung

Treatment principle: Dispel Phlegm and Descend Counterflow, Diffuse the Lung and Calm Panting

Formula: Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) — from *Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies*; Sanzi Yangqin Tang (Three-Seed Filial Devotion Decoction) — from *Han Shi Yi Tong*

Liver Qi Invading the Lung

Treatment principle: Resolve Depression and Descend Qi to Calm Panting

Formula: Wumo Yinzi (Five Milled-Herb Drink) — from *Investigations of Medical Formulas*

Water Attacking the Heart and Lung

Treatment principle: Warm Yang and Promote Diuresis, Drain the Lung and Calm Panting

Formula: Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*; Tingli Dazao Xiefei Tang (Lepidium and Jujube Decoction to Drain the Lungs) — from *Synopsis of the Golden Chamber*

Dyspnea-Collapse Syndrome

Treatment principle: Support Yang and Secure Collapse, Subdue and Astringe Kidney Qi

Formula: Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction)

These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Food Therapy & Diet

Dietary Therapy Recipes

Green tea 15g, 2 eggs. Cook the green tea and eggs with one and a half bowls of water; when eggs are done, shell them and cook further until the water is boiled dry, then eat the eggs. 2 times daily.
White pepper 10g, put in a frog's mouth and sew it shut, place in a bowl with water and stew over water. Drink the soup and eat part of the frog meat (intestines and stomach should not be eaten). Once every 2 days for 5-8 times; effective for cold-type asthma.
Hollow out 1 pear, add pinellia (banxia) 10g and a little rock sugar, steam over water until cooked, remove the pinellia when eating; once daily for several days. Suitable for those with excessive phlegm, wheezing and cough.
1 pumpkin, about 500-1000g, cut open the top, remove the pulp, add a little ginger juice, rock sugar and honey, cover the top, stew over water for 2 hours, eat in portions. Suitable for asthma patients with lung and kidney deficiency.
Black fungus 6g, rock sugar 9g, cook with water, 2 times daily, effective with regular use.
Walnut kernels 30g, sweet apricot kernels 10g, a little ginger juice, pound and add honey to taste, steam and take.
Ginkgo nuts 8 pieces, Chinese dates 10 pieces, glutinous rice 50g. Cook the ginkgo, dates and glutinous rice with water into porridge. Take divided morning and evening 2 times daily, 15 days as one course, up to 3 courses; suitable for asthma remission stage.
Polygonatum (yuzhu) and glehnia (shashen) 50g each, 1 old duck. Kill and wash the duck, put in a clay pot with the shashen and yuzhu, add water. Boil on high heat then simmer on low heat for over 1 hour until the duck is tender, add seasonings. Take 2 times daily, eat the meat and drink the soup.

Understanding the Condition

Bronchial asthma is a paroxysmal allergic disease of the lungs. Attacks present as wheezing, shortness of breath, expectoration of sputum, difficulty breathing, and inability to lie flat. This disease falls within the scope of asthma in TCM, and dietary therapy can help improve and relieve symptoms, serving both treatment and prevention.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.