Respitrol (Deficient)™

Unified Search · Symptom Finder · Herb Reference · Drug–Herb · Lab Test

TCM herbal formula for chronic asthma, COPD, respiratory allergies, occupational and environmental lung diseases — bronchodilating, antitussive, and expectorant herbs that tonify Lung and Kidney to relieve wheezing, dyspnea, and frail cough

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Contains Dang Gui which invigorates blood — use with caution or avoid with Coumadin (warfarin) or anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy due to higher risk of bleeding and bruising. Do NOT take during the acute stage of any respiratory disorder — use Respitrol (Heat) or Respitrol (Cold) first, then transition to Respitrol (Deficient) during remission. Patients with severe or acute asthma attacks may need additional herbal or drug treatment.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Chronic and deficient respiratory diseases: asthma, respiratory allergies, occupational lung diseases, environmental lung diseases, COPD

* Chronic respiratory disorders with compromised breathing functions and damaged lung structures

* Deficiency signs and symptoms: shortness of breath with difficult inhalation but normal exhalation; wheezing and shortness of breath worse with physical exertion; snoring sounds in the throat from phlegm accumulation; low-pitched rhonchi; audible wheezes; frail cough with sputum; dry throat; aversion to wind; spontaneous sweating; red cheeks; red tongue with scanty coating; thready rapid pulse

TCM pattern: Lung deficiency with Kidney not grasping qi.

Clinical protocol: Use Respitrol (Heat) or Respitrol (Cold) for acute respiratory disorders. When the condition stabilizes, transition to Respitrol (Deficient) and/or Cordyceps 3 during remission to strengthen the underlying constitution and reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

KEY HERB-LEVEL CLINICAL DATA

— Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps): warms Kidney yang; restores Kidney’s ability to grasp qi downward; dilates and relaxes bronchial muscles; 656 chronic tracheitis patients treated with good results; 93% effective rate in 43 allergic rhinitis patients

— Ku Xing Ren (Bitter Apricot Seed): directs Lung qi downward; eliminates phlegm; relieves cough and wheezing; antiasthmatic; 96.8% effective in 124 chronic tracheitis patients

— Zi Su Zi (Perilla Seed): directs Lung qi downward; eliminates phlegm; relieves cough and wheezing; 40 chronic stubborn cough patients: 62.5% marked improvement

— Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra): astringent — prevents leakage of Lung qi; stimulates lungs to increase rate and depth of respiration

— Hou Po (Magnolia Bark): regulates qi; relieves chest congestion; antiasthmatic by relieving muscle spasms and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction in trachea

— Dang Gui (Dong Quai): nourishes blood; alleviates bronchospasm to treat wheezing and dyspnea

— Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice): harmonizes formula; anti-inflammatory; antitussive and expectorant

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Antiasthmatic / bronchodilating — Dong Chong Xia Cao, Ku Xing Ren, Hou Po, Dang Gui, Zi Su Ye, Wu Wei Zi, Chen Pi

* Antitussive — Ku Xing Ren, Zhi Gan Cao

* Expectorant — Jie Zi, Zhi Gan Cao, Chen Pi, Zao Jiao Ci

* Anti-inflammatory / antiallergic — Zhi Gan Cao, Zi Su Ye, Chen Pi

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Relieves wheezing; arrests cough (Ku Xing Ren, Zi Su Zi, Zi Wan, Jie Zi, Ting Li Zi)

* Eliminates phlegm (Chen Pi, Zao Jiao Ci, Lai Fu Zi, Jie Zi)

* Tonifies the Lung and Kidney (Wu Wei Zi, Dong Chong Xia Cao, Rou Gui)

* Regulates qi; relieves chest congestion (Hou Po, Chai Hu)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. May be taken continuously long-term for maintenance and prevention of asthma.

Supplementary formulas: Maintenance and prevention — use with Cordyceps 3. Coughing — add Respitrol (CF). Ear, nose, and throat infection — add Herbal ENT. Thirst, dry mouth, and throat — add Nourish (Fluids). Immune enhancement — take with Immune+. Respiratory infection with sore throat, fever, headache — use Lonicera Complex or Respitrol (Heat) instead. Cold-type respiratory disorders — use Respitrol (Cold). Allergies with clear discharge — use Magnolia Clear Sinus. Allergies with yellow discharge — use Pueraria Clear Sinus. Deficiency of qi, blood, yin, or yang — combine Imperial Tonic with Respitrol (Deficient) as preventative during remission. Kidney yang deficiency — combine Kidney Tonic (Yang) with Respitrol (Deficient). Underlying damp and phlegm — add Pinellia Complex.

Nutrition: Beneficial foods: apricot kernels, almonds, walnuts, basil, carrots, pumpkins, winter melon, sunflower seeds, loofah, squash, figs, and daikon. For acute relief: white radish with maltose and water for 20 minutes, or white radish with honey for 30 minutes — relieves cough. Eat unpeeled oranges roasted until peel blackens daily for 7 days for asthma. Steam winter melon with molasses and eat daily for 7 days for asthma. Drink fig juice diluted in lukewarm water daily for asthma. Eliminate allergy foods (milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, nuts, sulfites) that can trigger asthma attacks. Eliminate cold and raw foods and beverages that constrict bronchial tubes and cause spasms. Avoid mucus-producing foods: sugar, fried and greasy foods, dairy, cheese, food additives, MSG, metabisulfite, white flour, and junk food. Avoid shellfish, dairy, watermelon, bananas, mung beans, salty foods, and ice cream (asthma). Increase intake of onion, garlic, and low-spicy foods — avoid raw and greasy foods.

Lifestyle: Maintain a stable temperature environment — avoid sudden extremes of heat, cold, humidity, and dryness. Alternate hot and cold water in the shower to desensitize the body to temperature changes. Balance exercise and rest. Change vacuum and central heating filters frequently — use an air purifier; replace carpets with hard surface floors; use bleach to kill mold and fungus; reduce exposure to animal dander and allergens. Avoid cigarettes, secondhand smoke, air pollution, dust, mold, fur, animal dander, chemicals, and artificial fragrances (emphysema). During an acute attack without an inhaler: two cups of coffee, hot cocoa, or chocolate bars (caffeine has a similar effect to theophylline). Drink lemon juice with honey to relieve cough.

CASE STUDIES

— 41-year-old female (J.D.): Asthma, allergies, phlegm in lungs; stress, weight gain, fatigue. Respitrol (Deficient) taken inconsistently over 3 months. Result: allergies improved, lungs clearer, energy increased.

— 74-year-old female (S.F.): Chronic breathing difficulty worse with exertion; dry wheezing; hoarse throat; no phlegm. Respitrol (Deficient) 3 capsules 3x/day. Result after 2 weeks: able to stop using oxygen tank during the day; deeper and easier breaths.

— 72-year-old male (D.D.): Shortness of breath and cough with frothy clear white sputum; COPD. Cordyceps 3 + Respitrol (Deficient) + Circulation (SJ) + Neuro Plus. Result: gradually improved over approximately 3 months.

Related Reading

Also see: Cordyceps 3 – for maintenance and prevention of asthma attacks | Respitrol (CF) – for coughing | Respitrol (Heat) – for heat-type respiratory disorders | Respitrol (Cold) – for cold-type respiratory disorders | Herbal ENT – for ear, nose, and throat infection | Nourish (Fluids) – for thirst, dry mouth, and throat | Immune+ – for immune enhancement | Lonicera Complex – for respiratory infection with sore throat or fever | Magnolia Clear Sinus – for allergies with clear discharge | Pueraria Clear Sinus – for allergies with yellow discharge | Imperial Tonic – for qi, blood, yin, or yang deficiency | Kidney Tonic (Yang) – for Kidney yang deficiency | Pinellia Complex – for underlying damp and phlegm | Respiratory & Lung Health Collection.

Not sure if this is the right formula for you? Start with our Unified Search to search across all formulas, herbs, and conditions — or use the Symptom & Formula Finder to browse by symptom or TCM pattern — or check the Drug & Herb Alternative Reference Guide to see which pharmaceutical drugs this formula is commonly used alongside — or use our Lab Test & Formula Reference to find formulas based on abnormal lab values.