Many people often have excessive phlegm that is difficult to eliminate, leading them to believe that their spleen is the issue. However, in traditional Chinese medicine, there is a saying: "The spleen is the source of phlegm production, and the lungs are the container for storing phlegm." Therefore, treating phlegm should not focus solely on the spleen.
People who usually have phlegm or have phlegm for a long time should also pay attention to lung problems. Weakened lung function can "in turn affect the spleen." When lung qi is deficient, it continuously burdens the spleen's transportation and transformation, which is equivalent to "strengthening the spleen while depleting it, failing to eliminate the root cause of phlegm-dampness, leading to more vigorous generation of phlegm-dampness and forming a vicious cycle of 'the spleen produces phlegm, and the lungs store phlegm.'"
Today I will share a prescription with everyone, it isShenling Baizhu PowderIt can strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness, transform phlegm and relieve cough, specifically targeting functional disorders of both the lungs and spleen.
This formula consists of ginseng, white atractylodes, poria, Chinese yam, white hyacinth bean, amomum fruit, platycodon root, coix seed, lotus seed, and licorice. Among them, ginseng, white atractylodes, and poria strengthen the spleen, replenish qi, dry dampness, and promote diuresis, acting like "energy supplements" that invigorate the spleen and stomach to digest food and process excess fluids, thereby reducing phlegm production at its source. Coix seed and lotus seed function like "cleaners," expelling dampness and phlegm through urine and stool, enhancing the spleen-strengthening and dampness-removing effects. A small amount of platycodon root acts like a "nutrient conveyor belt," transporting nutrients upward to the lungs, strengthening them and gradually expelling phlegm trapped in the body. Finally, licorice is used to harmonize the properties of the herbs in the formula.
This formula is not simply for "tonifying the spleen" or "tonifying the lungs." Instead, it first strengthens the spleen to reduce phlegm production, then diffuses the lungs to expel the phlegm stored within them, thereby achievingRegulating both the lung and spleen, treating both the symptoms and root causes。
It should be noted that because each person's symptoms and constitution are different, if it is "internal heat," "overeating," or symptoms such as dry mouth and feverish palms (yin deficiency), it is not suitable for use. Therefore, do not blindly follow trends; it must be used under the guidance of a professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioner based on syndrome differentiation to avoid mismatched treatment or adverse reactions.
