Pediatric+Asthma

Pediatrics (childhood) – Asthma Acute sudden onset of difficult breathing (dyspnoea) with wheezing sound in throat, re-curing with cough. Asthma is always caused by hidden phlegm stored in the lung but is triggered by a pathogenic invasion entering the Lung, Spleen or kidney. Pre-attack symptoms may include either sneezing or coughing. Any child with infantile eczema has a increased chance of getting asthma (L. GG)

Airway obstruction that is reversible either spontaneously or with treatment Airway inflammation Increased airway responsiveness to a variety of stimuli Airway remodeling

Cold Type
Chief Symptoms and Signs: There are manifestations of fullness and stuffiness in the chest, dyspnea with wheezing in the throat, and cough with thin sputum, frequently occurring in cold seasons or caused by exposure to cold. The tongue coating is white and slippery and the pulse is wiry and tense. Treating Principle: To regain the dispersion of lung Qi by expelling the pathogenic cold, and eliminate phlegm to relieve asthma.

Formula: “Shegan Mahuang Tang (Belamcanda and Ephedra Decoction)”(modified): She Gan -belamcanda rhizome 10g, ephedra 10g, Xi Xin -asarum herb 3g, Ban Xia -pinellia tuber 10g, Wu Wei Zi- schisandra fruit 6g, aster root 12g, Kuan Dong Hua -coltsfoot flower -12g, Sheng Jiangfresh ginger 10g, Chinese-date 5 pieces, bitter apricot kernel 10g, and perilla fruit 10g. Ma Huang, Gui Zhi, Bai Shao, (Asarum), (Pinellia), Gan (dried ginger), All the above materials are decocted in water for oral administration. When to treat the remarkable chills, 10 grams of cinnamon twig is added. When to treat very severe asthma 10 grams of both lepidium seed and earthworm are combined. This syndrome also responds well to the formula of “Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Decoction of Green Dragon)”

- Xiao Qing Long Tang – (Ma Huang, Gui Zhi, Bai Shao, Xi Xin (Asarum), Ban Xia (Pinellia), Gan Jiang (dried ginger), Wu Wei Zi, Gan Cao –Mixed fried. -or- Xhi Gan Ma Huang Tang Eliminate phlegm herbs - Bai Jie Zi, Su Zi – Descend Qi Herbs - Dai Zhi Shi, Hou Po Constipation Herbs - Lai Fu Zi, Gua Lou [magnesium]

Hot Type
[Ephedra (10g), bitter apricot kernel (10g), gypsum (30g), licorice root (6g), perilla fruit (10g), lepidium seed (10g), earthworm 12g, mulberry bark12g, trichosanthes seed 18g, and Sichuan fritillary bulb 10g. ] All the above materials are decocted in water for oral administration. When there appears profuse perspiration, ephedra should be excluded. When there runs fever 30 grams of honeysuckle flower are added. When there is thick and yellow expectoration 18 grams of clamshell powder and 15 grams of glehnia root are combined. When to treat dyspnea gasping for breath, 6 grams of eagle wood (chen xiang) and 10 grams of magnolia bark are supplemented.
 * Chief Symptoms and Signs:** Dyspnea with wheezing, irritability and pressure in the chest, even gasping for breath, yellow and sticky sputum, thirst, frequent occurrence in hot seasons or whenever in heat environment, red tongue with yellow-sticky tongue coating, and rolling-rapid pulse.
 * Treating Principle:** To remove phlegm-heat and renormalize the dispersion of lung Qi for relieving asthma.
 * Herbal Treatment:** the combination of “Ma Xing Shi Gan (Decoction of Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice)” and “San Zi Yang Qin Tang (Decoction Consisting of Three Seeds for the Aged)”(modified):

Ding Chuang Tang (int. phlegm heat) – SangBaiPi, Huang Qin, Ban Xia, Ma Huang, Xing Ren, Gan Cao, ZiSuzi, Kuan Dong Hua –Flos Farfarae, Yin Guo –Ginkgo seed. Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (more external heat) Complicated Cold and Hot - Da Qing Long Tang Complicated Deficiency and Excess - Du Qi Wan + Shi Gan Ma Huang Tang Phlegm – Yu Xing Cao – Helyotis Diffusa, Bai Jiang Cao –Patrinia, Panting- Dai Zhe Shi – Hematite, Bai Shao Itchy Nose-/ allergy: Fang Feng – Saposhnikovia, Xin Yi –Magnolia, Xia Ku Cao –Prunella, Cang Er Zi – Xanthium, Wu Mei – Mume, Poor sleep – Ye Jiao Teng – Polygonum Multiflorum Zhen Zhu Mu – Concha Margarita, Ci Shi – Magnetitum, Constipation: DaHuang

Deficiency syndrome
[Ginseng 10g, gecko 3g (ground and taken after being infused in the finished decoction), walnut kernel -Hu Tao Ren 15g, ophiopogon root -Mai Men Dong 10g, Wu Wei Zi 10g, astragalus root 12g, cordyceps 12g, lily bulb l5g, poria 12g, red tangerine peel (l2g,) and prepared licorice root (6g.)] All the above materials except gecko are decocted in water for oral administration.
 * Chief Symptoms and Signs:** Chronic and recurrent attacks, mild and persistent gasp at ordinary time, low and weak cough, palpitation and shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind, general debility and lassitude, pale tongue with little coating, and deep thready and weak pulse.
 * Treating Principle:** To tonify the lung and spleen and strengthen the inhalation capacity for relieving asthma.
 * Herbal Treatment:** “Renshen Gejie San (Powder of Ginseng and Gecko)” (supplemented):

Lung Qi Deficiency - Yu Ping Feng San Spleen Qi Deficiency - Liu Jun Zi Tang Kidney Deficiency - Shen Qi Wan

Study: sympathetic nerve excitement and diastolization (dilation) of the smooth muscle of the bronchial tubes can be achieved by stimulating acupuncture points on the back. The systalic (contraction) function of the smooth muscles of the airways is regulated through the neuroendocrine center of the hypothalamus, and this function can be measurably affected by needling certain back shu points.

Serum cAMP and cAMP/cGMP. Levels of certain substances in the blood called cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) seem to have a bearing on asthma patients. Asthma patients experiencing wheezing and breathlessness have lower serum levels of cAMP and cAMP/cGMP. Schizandra shifts this balance Many clinical studies conducted in China found that acupuncture can increase the levels of serum cAMP and cAMP/cGMP, so does coleus.

Immunological index of red blood cells (RBC-CR1R) was markedly increased after optimum-timing acupuncture treatment for Kidney Deficiency, compared with the control group. Increase in adipocyte levels indicates allergic reaction in an organism. A clinical study at the Affiliated Yueyang Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine shows that acupuncture at UB13 (Fei Shu), LU5 (Chi Ze), LU7 (Lie Que), ST40 (Feng Long), Ren 22 (Tian Tu), and extra point Ding Chuan can decrease adipocyte levels.

Asthma patients tend to have lower levels of the hormone 17-hydroxy corticosteroid in their urine, which is closely related to Kidney Deficiency in Chinese medicine. Many clinical studies show that acupuncture can increase the level of 17-hydroxy corticosteroid in urine. It is believed that asthma attacks are correlated with a lower hypophalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical function. Clinical research found that tonifying the Kidneys with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can improve that function and relieve asthma attacks. Study - Injection of a traditional Chinese medicine herbal extract into a widely used acupuncture point may have an anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory effect on bronchial allergic asthma

The herb used in the study was perilla seed (Perillae fructus; or 紫蘇) Zisu Injection of the herbal extract into an acupuncture point (herbal acupuncture) is a therapeutic technique combining both acupuncture and herbal treatment. In Chinese medicine, perilla has been shown to stimulate interferon activity and thus, the body’s immune system. Perilla seed has been used to treat respiratory diseases in Chinese medicine. According to TCM theory, perilla seeds enters the lung meridian, arrests coughing and wheezing with copious phlegm, and treats exhalation difficulties and stiffness in the chest. The leaves of perilla (Perilla frutescens) have shown a suppressive effect on type 1 allergies. However, perilla seed has not yet been investigated for use on allergic diseases.

Asthma is generally regarded as a T-cell mediated disease. Allergens cause the differentiation of naive T- cells into Th2 cells, which then secrete cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 IL-4, which is pivotal in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders, acts on B cells to facilitate IgE production. Increased IgE production in response to common environmental antigens is the hallmark of atopic diseases such as bronchial asthma. IL-4 also induces the rolling and adhesion of circulating eosinophils to endothelial cells. Therefore, inhibitors of the IL-4 signaling pathway have been suggested as therapeutic targets. The results showed that perilla seed extracts + acupuncture at zusanli significantly decreased cytokines IL-4. It is inferred that the treatment may have an anti-allergic effect on allergic bronchial asthma by suppressing IL-4 secretion; and thus reduce eosinophil inflitration into the lungs by reducing the adhesion of circulating esoinophils to endothelial cells,

The researchers also found that even by applying acupuncture at zusanli ONLY may suppress asthma, though not as effective as the injection-acupuncture treatment. Thus these results suggests that the mechanical stimulation of zusanli has a beneficial effect on bronchial allergic asthma. “In summary, we hypothesize that PF-HA may be applicable to bronchial allergic asthma to reduce airway obstruction by inhibiting cellular infiltration and collagen accumulation in the lung, and to relieve airway hyper-responsiveness by reducing IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IgE,” the researchers conclude. “Our data further suggest that PF-HA has a therapeutic effect on bronchial allergic asthma by regulating the immune system (suppressing excess Th2 activity and rebalancing Th1/Th2 in the immune system) and controlling eosinophilic inflammation in the airway. The anti-inflammatory effect of PF-HA may result from its immuno-regulatory effect on Th1 and Th2 activity.”

Triggers:
Toxics: Swimming pools; ScienceDaily (Dec. 30, 2007) — New research on farm women has shown that contact with some commonly used pesticides in farm work may increase their risk of allergic asthma. Allergens: Gluten, dairy, eggs… Drinking Farm Milk Reduces Childhood Asthma And Allergies, But Raw Consumption Remains Unsafe, Study Finds Breast Feeding May Help Protect Babies Against Allergic Asthma (Feb. 25, 2008) — & Lact. GG Drinking farm milk can protect children against asthma and hayfever, according to a study of nearly 15,000 children published in the May, 2008; Clinical and Experimental Allergy. Dirty environment

In a clinical trial involving 50 asthma patients, Cordyceps averaged 81.3% effectiveness against asthma symptoms in just five days, while conventional antihistamines proved only 61.1% effective after an average of nine days. Ku Shen Gen: stimulates beta receptors of the bronchi, relieved asthma (90% effective) Ling Zhi, Ku Shen and Gan Cao Homeopathic remedy: Antimonium Tart

Acupuncture Treatments
Dormant cold in the lung: Dingchuan, BL-13, BL-112, LU-7, ST-9 Phlegm-heat retention in the lung: GV-14, LU-5, LU-6, CV-17, ST-40, LI-4 Asthma in remission stage: BL-13, BL-43, LU-9, ST-36, SP-3 Deficiency of the lung and kidney: BL-13, BL-23, CV-17, CV-4, KI-3. Moxibustion: GV-14, BL-13, BL-23, CV-17, CV-4, CV-6, ST-36. For exogenous affection: BL-13, LU-7, LI-4 For endogenous affection: damp invading the lung: BL-13, LU-9, LV-13, SP-3, ST-40 liver burning the lung: BL-13, LU-5, GB-34, LV-3. For retention of cold fluids in the lung: BL-13, BL-12, LU-5, LU-7, CV-17, ST-40

For retention of phlegm heat in the lung: LU-5, LU-7, CV-17, CV-22, GV-14, LI-4, ST-40. For deficiency syndrome: dingchuan, BL-13, BL-43, LU-9, ST-36. Excess type: wind-cold: BL-13, LU-7, LI-4 phlegm-heat: Dingchuan, CV-22, LU-5, ST-40 Deficiency type: lung deficiency: BL-13, LU-9, ST-36 kidney deficiency: BL-23, CV-17, GV-4, CV-6.

Herbal Treatment: Allergy Research Labs
An oral combination of three Chinese herbal extracts: Ling-Zhi (20g.), Ku-Shen (9g.) and Gan-Cao (3g.) could be as effective as conventional medicines at alleviating asthma symptoms but without such severe side effects, report Chinese and American researchers.

Asthma Study: Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Jan, 2003 by Bob Flaws All the patients in this study were internally administered Shu Gan Ping Chuan Tang (Course the Liver & Level Panting Decoction): stir-fried Radix Bupleuri (Chai Hu), stir-fried Fructus Citri Aurantii (Zhi Ke), stir-fried Fructus Immaturus Citri Aurantii (Zhi Shi), Tuber Curcumae (Yu Jin), Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi), ginger-processed Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae (Ban Xia), stir-fried Semen Arecae Catechu (Bin Lan), stir-fried Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis (Huang Qin), and Lumbricus (Di Long), 12g each, Lignum Aquilariae Agallochae (Chen Xiang), 6g, added later, mix-fried Herba Ephedrae (Ma Huang), l0g, and Fructus Perillae Frutescentis (Zi Su Ye), 18g.

One packet of these medicinals was decocted in water per day and administered in three divided doses, morning, noon, and night. During this treatment, patients were advised to remain emotionally relaxed and at ease and to avoid psychoemotional stimulation. 85.71% total amelioration rate