Bronchitis, Chronic

She Dan Chuan Bei San
She Dan Chuan Bei Ye (an anti-cough syrup) was used to treat 304 cases of chronic bronchitis. The total effectiveness rate was 88.5%. The cough-relieving effectiveness rate was 91.30%. The phlegm-removing effectiveness rate was 91.57%. Lastly, the asthma-relieving effectiveness rate was 75%.(1)

Ping Chuan Zhi Ke Tang
83 cases of chronic bronchitis were treated with Ping Chuan Zhi Ke Tang. This consisted of Sheng Ma Huang (Ephedra), Xing Ren (Apricot Seed), Yu Jie Gen (Platycodon Root), Fu Ling (Poria), Su Zi (Perilla), Zhi Ban Xia (prepared Pinellia Tuber), Zhi Zi Yuan (prepared Aster Root), Kuan Dong Hua (Colsfoot Flower), Sang Bai Pi (Mulberry Bark), Guang Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), and Gan Cao (Licorice). This decoction was taken orally 200ml at a time, twice daily. 7 days constituted one course of treatment. After 2-6 courses, the results were: a full recovery for 37 cases, significant improvement in 11 cases, some improvement in 10 cases, and in 5 cases, there was no improvement. The total effectiveness rate is 92.06%.(2)

Xue Xue Run Fei Fang
Xue Xue Run Fei Fang was used to treat 52 cases of chronic bronchitis with a dry cough without phlegm. The formula consisted of Sha Shen (Glehnia Root), Yu Zhu (Polygonatum), Fu Shen (Hoelen Spirit) or Fu Ling (Hoelen), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), Xing Ren (Apricot Seed), and Bai Bian Dou (Dolichos). The decoction was taken orally once a day. After 10 doses, results showed a full recovery in 21 of the cases, while a significant improvement was seen in 25 cases, and no improvement in 6 cases. The total effectiveness rate was 88.5%.(3)

Bu Yang Hai Wu Tang
98 cases of chronic bronchitis were treated with Bu Yang Hai Wu Tang. This formula consisted of Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Di Long (Earthworm), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Chi Shao (Red Peony Root), Chuan Xiong (Chuangxiong Rhizome), Tao Ren (Peach Seed), and Hong Hua (Safflower). The decoction was taken orally once daily for 2 weeks as a course of treatment. The result showed clinical control in 65 cases, while a significant improvement was seen in 16 cases. Some improvement was seen in 13 cases, and in 4 cases there was no improvement. The total effectiveness rate was 95.8%.(4)

Yang He Tang
54 cases of chronic bronchitis were treated with Yang He Tang. The formula consisted of Shou Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia Root), Lu Jiao Jiao (Antler Glue) [or deglued antler powder (Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum)], Gan Jiang (Dry Ginger), Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit), Fu Zi (prepared Aconite Root), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Su Zi (Perilla Fruit), Lai Fu Zi (Radish Seed), Xi Xin (Asarum Herb), and Ma Huang (Ephedra). This decoction was orally taken once a day. 10 days constituted one course of treatment. The result showed clinical control in 11 cases, while significant progress was seen in 15 cases, some progress was seen in 24 cases. In 4 cases, there was no progress. The total effectiveness rate was 92.4%.(5)

Gui Ling Wei Cao Zi Xia Chong Ji
62 cases of senile chronic bronchitis were treated with Gui Ling Wei Cao Zi Xia Chong Ji (an infusion for anti-cough). The formula consists of Rou Gui (Cinnamon Twig), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit), Fu Ling (Poria), Zhi Ban Xia (prepared Pinellia Tuber) Zi Jing Niu (Japanese Ardisia), and Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia). After infusion, one pack of the formula was taken orally, 3 times a day. 7 days constituted one course of treatment. During administration, smoking cigarettes, drinking wine, and eating pungent and stimulant foods was prohibited. The results showed significant effectiveness in 20 cases, some effectiveness in 36 cases, and no effectiveness in 6 cases. The total effectiveness rate was 90.3%.(6)

An external therapy was used in the treatment of senile chronic bronchitis. The acupoints double Fei Shu (Back-Shu Point of the Lung, UB 13), double Kao Huang Shu (UB 43), and Shan Chung (Ren 17) were sterilized, rubbed with fresh ginger slices 3-5 times, and applied with about 2g of ointment (trachitis adhesive plaster, plus Bai Jie Zi (white mustard seed) powder and other Chinese medicines was heated, melted and evenly mixed). The ointment was changed once every 3 days, totaling 9 times in all. 213 cases of senile chronic bronchitis were treated. The total effectiveness rate was 90.5%.(7)

99 cases of chronic bronchitis were treated with Ke Chuan Ting. The formula consisted of the following single herbs: Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), Xi Xin (Asarum), Gan Sui (Kansui Root), Xie Bai (Macrostem Onion), Kuan Dong Hua (Colsfoot Flower), Ma Huang (Ephedra), and Gan Jiang (Ginger) juice. The herbs were mixed and made into an ointment. The herbal mixture was then applied to the following points: Tien Tu (Ren 23), Shan Chung (Ren 17), Ta Chui (Du 14), double Fei Shu (Back-Shu Point of the Lung, UB 13), double Ting Chuan (Extra), and double Kao Huang Shu (UB 43). She Xiang Zhuang Gu adhesive plaster was then used to cover the ointment. It was removed 4-6 hours later. External treatment was used 3 times on the first day of each period of summer (the early, middle, and late), and continued for 3 consecutive years. 33 cases in the control group orally took Gu Ben Ke Chuan Pian (a common pill formula for chronic bronchitis), For 3 consecutive years, 4 tablets were taken 3 times daily for 3 months in the summer. The results showed recovery in 34 and 7 cases, significant improvement in 33 and 6 cases, some improvement in 28 and 14 cases, no progress in 4 and 6 cases. The total effectiveness rates were 94.9% and 81.8%, respectively. (8)

Herbal and external combined treatment

120 cases of chronic bronchitis were treated with Chinese herbs and point injection. The Chinese herbs included modified Yu Ping Feng San, Sheng Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Chao Bai Zhu (cooked White Atractylodes), Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum), Chuan Bei Mu (Sichuan Fritillary Bulb), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia), Fang Feng (Siler), Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), Huang Jing (Polygontum Root), and Zi Yuang (Aster). Each dose was made into decoction after boiling with water, and divided into 2-3 portions to be administered at two to three separate times a day. 14 days comprised one course of treatment. A He Luo injection solution (anti-phlegm Chinese medication) was injected into double Fei Shu (Back-Shu Point of the Lung, UB 13), double Ting Chuan (Extra), and Shan Chung (Ren 17), 0.5ml at each point once every other day, for 5 times as one course of treatment. The result showed significant effects on 45 cases, some effects on 60 cases, and no effect on 15 cases. The total effectiveness rate was 87.5%.(9)

Injection treatment

A He Lao liquid of 2ml was injected into Tien Tu (Ren 22) to treat 84 cases of chronic bronchitis This was administered once every other day and 5 times constituted one course of treatment. After 2 courses, results showed that 30 cases recovered, 46 cases had significant improvement, and 8 cases had some improvement. (10)

76 cases of chronic bronchitis were treated according to the principle that says winter diseases are treated in summer. Ka Ti Su and liquid of Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) were injected into the points Fei Shu (Back-Shu Point of the Lung, UB 13), Shen Shu (Back-Shu Point of the Kidney, UB 23), Ting Chuan (Extra), and Tsu San Li (He-Sea point, St 36). The total effectiveness rate was 92.1%.(11)

Double Feishu (Back-Shu Point of the Lung, UB 13), Hsin Shu (Back-Shu Point of the Heart, UB 15), and Keshu (UB 17) were used in this acupuncture treatment. Ting Chuan (Extra) was added for significant dyspnea and Shen Shu (Back-Shu Point of the Kidney, UB 23) for weakness due to old age. Jiang She Xiang (Abelmust), Bai Zhi (dahurian angelica root), Xi Xin (Asarum herb), Gan Sui (Kansui Euphorbia Root), Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), Yang Jin Hua (Datura Flower), and Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Tuber) were grounded into powder. Acupuncture was practiced at the above-mentioned points. After the needling sensation was achieved, the twirling reinforcing-reducing method was applied 16 times before withdrawing the needle. The powder was mixed with Gan Jian (Ginger) juice and made into paste. 5g of the paste was applied on each point and removed 6-12 hours later. The treatment started at the beginning of summer, and was applied once every period of the hot season. It was best to treat the cases 4-5 times in a row during the onset. The results showed that 12 cases were resolved, 53 cases had significant improvement, 38 cases improved, and 17 cases had no improvement. The total effectiveness rate was 85.83%.(12)