Respitrol (Heat)™

TCM herbal formula for heat-type respiratory disorders — bronchodilating; antiasthmatic; antitussive; expectorant; antipyretic; antibiotic; antihistamine; clears Lung heat; dissolves phlegm; regulates qi circulation to relieve wheezing and dyspnea

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Contraindicated for long-term use — discontinue when desired effects are achieved; for long-term treatment use Respitrol (Deficient) or Cordyceps 3. Patients with cold- or deficient-type respiratory disorders should use Respitrol (Cold) or Respitrol (Deficient) respectively. Patients with severe or acute asthma attacks may need additional herbal or drug treatment. In an acute attack when medication or inhaler is not available, two cups of coffee, hot cocoa, or chocolate bars may help alleviate wheezing or dyspnea — caffeine has a similar effect to the asthma drug theophylline. Cough during the day is mostly due to heat or dryness; cough at night is mostly due to Kidney deficiency, Spleen deficiency, or dampness. Multiple herbs in this formula increase the antibiotic effect more than tenfold and minimize the risk of bacterial and viral resistance.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Respiratory disorders with heat manifestations: infection and inflammation of the lungs with wheezing, dyspnea, shortness of breath, cough, chest distension

* Respiratory disorders with fever and thick yellow discharge from the nose or lungs

* Wheezing and dyspnea with a choking sensation, coughing with chest distension, fever, irritability, flushed face, and yellow sputum

Background: Lung inflammation and infection often occur together. Lung inflammation refers to swelling of the airways causing wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, cough, and phlegm. Lung infection refers to invasion of the respiratory tract by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In Western medicine, specific disease names include asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and lung abscess. In TCM, the general description for this pattern is Lung heat. Respitrol (Heat) treats heat-type respiratory disorders including asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other conditions characterized by inflammation and infection of the respiratory tract — diagnostic signs include fever, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, flushed face, perspiration, and yellow sputum.

Clinical protocol: Use Respitrol (Heat) or Respitrol (Cold) for acute respiratory disorders with wheezing, dyspnea, and shortness of breath. When the condition stabilizes, use Respitrol (Deficient) and Cordyceps 3 during the remission stage to strengthen the underlying constitution. Respitrol (Deficient) should NOT be taken during the acute stage. Cordyceps 3 strengthens the Lung and Kidney — the two organs responsible for controlling respiration — and is extremely important for reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum): clears Lung heat; reduces fever; relieves coughing; antipyretic

— Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum / Bitter Apricot Kernel): stops coughing; calms wheezing; antiasthmatic via inhibitory effect on the respiratory center in the brain; antifungal; clinically: Xing Su San — effective for cough due to wind-cold in 50 patients; chronic tracheitis — 96.8% effective in 124 patients (23 complete recovery, 66 marked effectiveness, 31 some improvement, 4 no response)

— Sang Bai Pi (Cortex Mori / Mulberry Root Bark): clears Lung heat; stops coughing and wheezing; antiviral against herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1); strong in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects (oxyresveratrol)

— Di Gu Pi (Cortex Lycii / Lycium Bark): clears Lung heat; stops coughing and wheezing; antipyretic — lowers body temperature to treat fever

— Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis / Platycodon): clears Lung heat; expands the chest; dissolves phlegm; antitussive and expectorant; antiallergic — inhibits inflammatory cytokines, suppresses sensitivity for allergic reaction, decreases capillary permeability, inhibits IgE-mediated mast cell response

— Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis / Magnolia Bark): helps Jie Geng expand the chest and relieve congestion; stimulates the respiratory system to dilate the lungs and relieve wheezing and dyspnea; magnolol and honokiol — antiasthmatic via muscle spasm relief and smooth muscle contraction inhibition in the trachea; antibacterial against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Diplococcus pneumoniae, and Bacillus dysenteriae; piperitylmagnolol and honokiol — antibacterial against VRE and MRSA in time- and concentration-dependent manner

— She Gan (Rhizoma Belamcandae / Blackberry Lily): clears heat; relieves toxicity; eliminates sputum and phlegm from the upper respiratory tract; antiviral against influenza viruses; antifungal (tectorigenin); anti-inflammatory — irigenin inhibits nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

— Pi Pa Ye (Folium Eriobotryae / Loquat Leaf): clears heat; relieves toxicity; eliminates sputum and phlegm; antitussive and expectorant; antiallergic and anti-inflammatory — inhibits mast cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines

— Ting Li Zi (Semen Descurainiae / Descurainia Seed): drains the Lung; eliminates phlegm; reduces wheezing; clinically: 30 children with cough and dyspnea from bronchitis treated with Ting Li Zi preparation — 96.7% success rate

— Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae / Jujube): minimizes the harsh effect of Ting Li Zi to prevent damage to the Lung

— Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae / Forsythia): clears Lung heat; detoxifies; broad-spectrum antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus dysenteriae, α- and β-hemolytic streptococcus, Neisseria catarrhalis, Salmonella typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacillus proteus, Bordetella pertussis, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae; antiviral against influenza viruses

— Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis / Schisandra): inhibits leakage of Lung qi to prevent qi loss; stimulates the lungs to increase rate and depth of respiration; reverses respiratory depression associated with morphine; antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus dysenteriae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; clinically: formula with Wu Wei Zi effectively treated 50 patients with asthma

— Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae): relieves spasms; supplements qi; harmonizes all herbs; remarkable anti-inflammatory — glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid anti-inflammatory effect approximately 1/10th that of cortisone, via decreased vascular permeability; antitussive and expectorant; antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, E. coli, and Trichomonas vaginalis

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Bronchodilating / antiasthmatic — Ku Xing Ren (respiratory center inhibition); Hou Po (magnolol, honokiol — tracheal smooth muscle relaxation); Wu Wei Zi (lung stimulation, depth of respiration↑); Gan Cao (anti-inflammatory, 1/10th cortisone potency)

* Antipyretic — Shi Gao; Di Gu Pi (lowers body temperature)

* Antitussive / expectorant — Ku Xing Ren; Pi Pa Ye; Jie Geng; Gan Cao

* Antihistamine / antiallergic — Jie Geng (IgE↓, cytokines↓, capillary permeability↓); Pi Pa Ye (mast cells↓, cytokines↓)

* Antibacterial — Lian Qiao (11+ species); Hou Po (VRE, MRSA); Wu Wei Zi (7 species); Gan Cao (4 species)

* Antiviral — She Gan (influenza); Lian Qiao (influenza); Sang Bai Pi (HSV-1)

* Antifungal — She Gan (tectorigenin); Ku Xing Ren

* Anti-inflammatory — Sang Bai Pi (oxyresveratrol, in vitro and in vivo); She Gan (irigenin, NO↓, PGE2↓); Gan Cao (glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Clears Lung heat (Shi Gao, Sang Bai Pi, Di Gu Pi, Jie Geng, She Gan, Pi Pa Ye, Lian Qiao)

* Dissolves phlegm; eliminates sputum (Jie Geng, Hou Po, She Gan, Pi Pa Ye, Ting Li Zi)

* Regulates qi circulation; relieves wheezing and dyspnea (Ku Xing Ren, Hou Po, Ting Li Zi)

* Inhibits leakage of Lung qi (Wu Wei Zi)

* Relieves spasms; supplements qi; harmonizes formula (Gan Cao)

* Protects Lung from harsh herbs (Da Zao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 4–6 capsules three times daily with warm water on an empty stomach. Begin taking Respitrol (Heat) with the first sign of respiratory discomfort for maximum effectiveness.

Supplementary formulas: Enhance antibacterial function — add Herbal ABX. Enhance antiviral function — add Herbal AVR. Sinus infections with yellow nasal discharge — combine with Pueraria Clear Sinus. Profuse thick yellow phlegm with chest congestion — combine with Pinellia XPT. Underlying damp and phlegm with Spleen qi deficiency — add Pinellia Complex. Coughing — add Respitrol (CF). Ear, nose, and throat infection — add Herbal ENT. Thirst, dry mouth and throat — add Nourish (Fluids). Excess heat or fire — add Gardenia Complex. Boost immune system after cold/flu symptoms subside — take Immune +. Dyspnea or chest tightness from environmental or toxic poisoning — add Herbal DTX. Severe inflammation — combine with Astringent Complex. Maintenance and prevention of asthma attacks — use Cordyceps 3 and Respitrol (Deficient) during remission.

Nutrition: Eliminate all spicy, cold, and raw foods and beverages — they constrict the bronchial tubes causing spasms. A diet low in spicy, raw, greasy, and sweet foods is recommended. To avoid infection: eat a diet high in garlic, onions, and water; stay away from cigarette smoke, alcohol, seafood, food additives (MSG, metabisulfite), and phlegm-producing foods (sweets, dairy, heavy or greasy foods). Vitamin C is important — it is greatly consumed by white blood cells when fighting infections. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to facilitate elimination of heat, phlegm, and sputum. Since asthma may be allergy-related, eliminate common allergens: milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, and nuts. Sulfites (used in restaurants to preserve salads, french fries, and avocado dips) are also linked to asthma attacks. White radish remedy: cut 1 fist-sized white radish into thin slices, mix with 1 tablespoon maltose and 1 cup water, cook 20 minutes, serve when cooled — or mix slices with honey, wait 30 minutes, and drink the secreted fluids. Lemon juice with honey is also very effective to relieve cough. Avoid warm/hot natured foods that damage qi and yin: heat-producing fruits (mango, durian), stimulants (coffee, alcohol, energy drinks), and spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables (pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili, wasabi). Avoid artificial coloring and processed meats (lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages) — nitrites are linked to inflammation and chronic disease.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease):

— Asthma: Apricot kernels, almonds, walnuts, basil, carrots, pumpkins, winter melon, sunflower seeds, loofah, squash, figs, and daikon. Mix 1/2 cup fig juice with 1/2 cup lukewarm water and drink daily. Cut the top out of a small winter melon, remove seeds, fill with molasses, close with cheesecloth, steam — eat daily for 7 days. Take an unpeeled orange, pierce with a chopstick, roast until peel blackens, remove peel and eat the fruit — 1 orange daily for 7 days. Drink fresh fig juice 3x/day. Avoid mucus-producing foods, cold foods, fruits, salads, all shellfish, dairy, watermelon, bananas, mung beans, salty foods, cold weather, and especially ice cream.

— Common cold (wind-heat): Mint, cabbage, chrysanthemum flowers, burdock root, cilantro, dandelion, apples, and bitter melon — drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest. Drink cabbage broth freely. Drink cilantro and mint tea. Drink mint, chrysanthemum, and dandelion tea. Drink mint, dandelion, and licorice tea. Avoid shellfish, meats, vinegar, and hot natured foods.

— Chronic bronchitis: Carrots, apricot kernels, persimmons, white fungus, pears, honey jellyfish, ginger, water chestnuts, yams, sweet potatoes, daikon radish, walnuts, papaya, peach kernels, lotus roots, seaweed, and winter melon seeds — always try to stay warm. Cook carrots and apricot kernels in rice porridge — eat 3x/day for 1 month. Remove cores of 2–3 pears, fill with honey, eat before bed every day for 1 month. Mash together ginger, apricot kernels, pine nuts, and walnuts; add rock sugar and steam — eat 2–3 tablespoons 2x/day for at least 2 weeks. Make juice from pineapple and lemon — drink before meals for immediate relief. Peel a papaya, add honey, steam and eat. Cut banana into small pieces, cook with rock sugar until sugar melts — eat 1–2 pieces every evening for 1 week. Avoid overworking, being chilled, stimulating foods, spicy foods, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and cold drinks.

Lifestyle: Avoid exposure to pollen, dust, and drastic changes in temperature — regular exercise with herbal therapy is the key to complete recovery. Vacuum and central heating filters should be changed frequently to minimize dust, mold, and dust mites. Install an air purifier for patients with family members with infectious respiratory disorders. Replace carpets with hard surface floors to prevent allergens from being trapped. Bleach (Clorox) can be used to clear mold and fungus. Avoid all contact (direct and indirect) with animal dander and other allergens. Stop smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke. Strengthen the immune system between asthma attacks — balance exercise and rest; alternation of hot and cold water in the shower desensitizes the body to temperature changes. Take immune-enhancing herbs such as Immune + or Cordyceps 3 on a regular basis.

CASE STUDIES

— 59-year-old female (S.Z.): Asthma, shortness of breath, and other respiratory symptoms; BP 110/22 mmHg, HR 67 bpm; red face and chest; Lung heat. Respitrol (Heat) 3 capsules 3x/day. Result after 2 days: reduction in thick yellow phlegm. After 3 weeks: SOB and wheezing improved.

— 36-year-old female computer technician: Chills and fever, dry mouth and throat, body aches, thirst; chills and fever lasted only 1 day; red tongue with thin white coating, superficial pulse; warm to touch but complained of cold sensations; wind-heat invasion. Respitrol (Heat) full dose for first 3 days until symptoms subsided, then dose reduced until all indications resolved.

— 50-year-old female (D.C.): Common cold symptoms — cough, chest congestion, difficult-to-expectorate phlegm, slight fever; red tongue with yellow coating, rapid slippery pulse; Lung heat. Respitrol (Heat) + Pinellia XPT. Result in 3 days: heat relieved and phlegm cleared.

— 3-year-old female (S.O.): Constant coughing for 2 weeks; diagnosed with whooping cough in ER, no medication prescribed; veins seen on chest; Lung heat. Respitrol (Heat) + Herbal ABX mixed with juice. No change initially, then symptoms lessened after 2 days — back to normal within 1 week.

Related Reading

Also see: Respitrol (Cold) – for cold-type wheezing and dyspnea | Respitrol (Deficient) – for chronic Lung deficiency and remission maintenance | Respitrol (CF) – for cough | Cordyceps 3 – to strengthen Lung and Kidney and prevent asthma attacks | Herbal ABX – to enhance antibacterial function | Herbal AVR – to enhance antiviral function | Herbal ENT – for ear, nose, and throat infection | Pueraria Clear Sinus – for sinus infection with yellow discharge | Pinellia XPT – for profuse yellow phlegm | Pinellia Complex – for damp and phlegm with Spleen qi deficiency | Gardenia Complex – for excess heat or fire | Nourish (Fluids) – for thirst and dry throat | Herbal DTX – for environmental or toxic poisoning | Astringent Complex – for severe inflammation | Immune + – to boost immunity after infection | Respiratory Health & Lung Support Collection.