In my hometown lived Yang Lezhai, a martial scholar. His second sister-in-law, widowed in her twenties, raised a son alone. Though highly capable—managing all household affairs better than other female relatives—she suffered chronic depression from solitude. This caused recurrent “liver qi stagnation” (emotional blockage in TCM), manifesting as wheezing, coughing, groaning, and loss of appetite during flare-ups. These episodes persisted over a year, misdiagnosed as tuberculosis by previous physicians.
One spring (Renxu year), her condition relapsed severely. Bedridden for a month with no improvement, Yang sought my help. Upon examination, her left guan pulse felt slippery and rapid, while the right cun and guan pulses were more pronounced. I explained: “This is phlegm accumulation due to qi stagnation, not tuberculosis. Previous tonics worsened it. Don’t worry—recovery needs fewer than ten herbal doses.”
I prescribed a blend of three classic formulas:
- Pingwei San (Stomach-Calming Powder) to regulate digestion
- Erchen Tang (Two-Matured Decoction) to dissolve phlegm
- Siqi Tang (Four-Seven Decoction) to smooth qi flow
Within 15 minutes of taking the decoction, gurgling sounds emerged from her chest, followed by eased breathing. After two doses, her wheezing and coughing ceased, and she regained appetite. The family, amazed, assumed full recovery and stopped (used in traditional contexts). I failed to follow up, and symptoms returned within three days.
During the revisit, her pulse remained slippery-rapid though slightly milder. Learning only two doses were taken, I clarified: “Two doses merely unblocked pathways. At least four are needed until sticky, foul substances are expelled.” I advised continuing the original formulas.
The patient complied. The next morning, sudden diarrhea expelled (jiao nian hui wu, gluey foul matter). Her appetite surged, and all symptoms vanished. For consolidation, I recommended Xiangsha Liujunzi Wan (Six-Gentleman Pill with Aucklandia and Amomum) to strengthen digestion. However, her family neglected this advice. Without proper aftercare, relapse may occur next spring.
(Note: All mentioned formulas are classical TCM prescriptions. Modern use requires consultation with licensed practitioners.)
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