Editorial Commentary on Asthma and the Recipe, "Asthmatic's
Delight" from the Perspective of Chinese Medicine by Cory Trusty.
Magnetic Moon, August 2003. Volume 2:1
From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, Asthma is due to
Lung and Kidney Qi deficiencies or both. The pattern of
one's Asthma varies depending on the severity of these deficiencies, as well as
other factors, for example, excessive dampness resulting from Spleen Qi
deficiency. Emotions are another factor.
The function of the Lungs is to disperse Qi. Also associated
with the Lungs is Wei Qi, or defensive Qi, which circulates at the surface of
the body. Wei Qi fights with external pathogenic influences (EPIs), for
example viruses, when they invade the body. This battle leads to fever and sweating.
When one's Lung and Wei Qi is deficient, the person is very susceptible to
catching colds and sneezes often.
The Kidney's are said to grasp the qi; when Kidney qi is deficient it
is difficult to take a breath. Prescription inhalers used to relieve Asthma
are thought to deplete the Kidney essence, thereby giving short term relief from Asthma attacks.. Kidney essence is the dense
nutritive core energy of the body that when depleted but cannot be replaced.
This is the energy that is consumed when working excessively hard without rest
or proper food.
Therefore in diagnosing the pattern of Asthma, it is often asked "is it more difficult to breath in or to
breath out?" The answer helps the practitioner, along with noting other signs
and symptoms, to determine whether deficient Lung Qi or Kidney Qi is a more
significant factor in the Asthma attacks; Asthma due to Lung Qi deficiency
is more often characterized by difficulty breathing out while Asthma due to
Kidney Qi deficiency is more often characterized by difficulty breathing
in. The Chinese Medical practitioner chooses herbs based on which factor
is more significant in causing the Asthma.
Other factors influence Asthma. Spleen Qi is responsible for digestion.
When Spleen Qi is deficient, damp accumulates easily. Eating damp
foods like yogurt, ice cream, greasy foods, and beer only add to the
accumulation of damp. Excess dampness is sent to the Lungs from the Spleen,
leading to sneezing after eating, runny nose, etc. Therefore if the Spleen is
a factor in Asthma or allergies, is important to modify diet if necessary.
This means, eating foods that are easy to digest, for example soups, cooked and not raw vegetables, and drinking
beverages at room temperature or above. Grief and Fear and Worry, the
emotions of the Lungs, Kidney, and Spleen, respectively, should also not be
allowed excess. Excessive emotion is said to damage it's corresponding
organ. Meditation and exercises, such as Tai Chi, can help to balance out
the emotions and improve overall health.
Cricket used her formula "Asthmatic's Delight" to treat and cure her own
Asthma. She used Chickweed, Nettle, and Orange pekoe (black tea), and honey.
The Chickweed and Nettle are North American herbs, but we can identify their
function from the perspective of Chinese Medicine. Chickweed descends
rebellious Lung Qi (AKA cough), and moistens and protects
the Lung. Nettle is a Lung and Wei Qi tonic, or rather is strengthens the
immune system from the Biomedical Perspective. Nettle is also an adrenal
or Kidney Qi tonic and helps stregthen the body at the deepest level. Tea is also used to help
promote digestion after meals. The Tea therefore aids the Spleen, thereby
reducing dampness that can aggravate the Lungs. Honey helps to detoxify,
harmonize, and tonify the body. From the perspective of Chinese Medicine, this
formula would be helpful for a person with Asthma due to Lung and Wei qi deficiency,
with underlying Kidney qi deficiency, possibly aggravated by damp.
If there was a strong Kidney qi deficiency present, additional Kidney tonic
herbs could be added to a formula.
Reference
1. Asthmatic's Delight: A Recipe for Life by the Cricket,
ICMJD. Magnetic Moon August 2003. Volume 2:1.