Phlegm is an abnormally large amount of thick, viscous or stringy mucous produced by the  respiratory system (lungs and throat). Phlegm is a general symptom of respiratory infections such as the common cold or bronchitis. It can also be caused by respiratory irritation as a result of chemical dusts or vapors in the workplace.

But there is another type of phlegm called white sputum that is not caused by infection or irritant. The sufferer produces it everyday, 365 days a year, rain or shine. Its presence indicates that fluid metabolism is not properly transformed or dispersed in the body.

General Indications

• You want to cough when this is in the lungs.

•  “Bouts” of coughing or coughing fits.

• Shortness of breath

Symptoms

• White sputum that is easy to cough up or expectorate

• Rattling of the phlegm in the throat or chest

• Patient feels stuffy or clogged up

• A feeling like something is stuck in the throat

Causes

• Poor diet — too much cold foods like cold citrus fruits

• Weak digestion or injured digestion

• Too much mucus forming foods like cheese and ice cream

• Those who are prone to flu and colds

This root cause of this type of sickness is weak lungs and deficient spleen. Sugar, chocolate, peanuts, tea and coffee can induce the increase production of mucus and aggravate the problem.

Treatment Principle

• Resolve phlegm and restore the lung function

• Warm the spleen

Treatment

Herbal formulation is the best way to treat this problem. No synthetic chemical can effectively treat this type of disease. Herbs like Semen Amoni for warming the spleen, Semen Coix Lachrimajobi for improving the function of the spleen,  Agastachis Herba and Poria Cocos Wolf for transforming dampness and stimulate the spleen and Perilla Frutescens for strengthen the lungs can be used to threat white sputum problems.

The body needs fatty acids (especially the lungs) to survive and is able to make all but two of them: linoleic acid, in the omega-6 family and linolenic acid, in the omega-3 family. These two fatty acids must be supplied by the diet and are therefore considered essential fatty acids (EFAs). Perilla  is rich in linolenic/alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Alpha-linolenic acid is beneficial for strengthen the lungs.

Since alpha-linolenic acid or ALA cannot be manufactured by the body it must be obtained from food. ALA, as well as the fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), belongs to a group of fatty acids called omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fish while ALA is highly concentrated in plants like perilla. Once ingested, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body. If we can consume sufficient ALA then intake of EPA and DHA is optional.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic diseases such as lung disease like asthma and arthritis. These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive

Scientific Research of Herbs

Poria Cocos Wolf:

1) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Poria Cocos have anti-inflammatory functions, high scavenging activity and protects liver and red blood cells from lipid peroxidation. 60151

2) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Poria cocos has anti-inflammatory functions. 20314

3) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Poria cocos is effective in treating  chronic and acute inflammation. 25140

4) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Poria Cocos Wolf has anti-tumor and immune-enhancing activity. 65424

5) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Poria cocos has anti-inflammatory functions and protects red blood cells from AAPH-induced hemolysis (affected by microorganisms). 160 - 162

6) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Poria cocos improves kidney functions. 07662

Perilla Frutescens:

1) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens has potentially promising agents for the treatment of allergic diseases like bronchitis and asthma. Research showed that the anti-allergic titer of rosmarinic acid was more effective than tranilast, which is a modern anti-allergic drug. Perilla and its constituent rosmarinic acid are potentially promising agents for the treatment of allergic diseases. 72153

2) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens improves lung functions. In scientists proved that dietary supplementation with perilla seed oil in selected patients with asthma suppresses the generation of LTC4 and is associated with clinical features such as respiratory function and lipometabolism. 78492

3) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens is useful for the treatment of asthma in terms of suppression of LTB4 and LTC4 generation by leucocytes and improvement of pulmonary function. 32825

4) Clinical research by western scientists have shown that Perilla frutescens is an effective intervention for allergic asthma possibly through the amelioration of increases in cytokines, chemokines, and allergen-specific antibody. 1365-2222

5) Clinical research by western scientists have shown a protective effect of alpha-linolenic acid (a constituent of Perilla frutescens) in the risk of breast cancer. 36 (3) 335-40.

6) Clinical research by western scientists have shown the beneficial effects of the n-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid, against cardiovascular disease.  4 (4): 219-26

7) Clinical research by western scientists have shown a 3g/d increase of dietary ALA (alpha linolenic acid) could increase serum EPA and DHA in 10 mo without any major adverse effects.  45 (6) 759-72