[Interpretation of connotation of Yuebi Plus Banxia Decoction based on severe cases and modern pathophysiological mechanisms and experience of treating severe pulmonary infection, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory failure with this decoction]

Yuebi Plus Banxia Decoction is derived from the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber(Jin Gui Yao Lue) by ZHANG Zhong-jing. With the effects of ventilating lung, discharging heat, descending adverse Qi, and relieving cough and asthma, this prescription is mainly used to treat pulmonary distension caused by phlegm heat obstructing the lungs. Currently, it is commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma, pulmonary heart disease, and pertussis. In the original text, lung distension refers to the inability of lung Qi to descend, including symptoms such as barrel chest, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, and phlegm accumulation, and it is often seen in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The description of "the patient is panting and their eyes are likely to dislodge" indicates that Yuebi Plus Banxia Decoction is used to treat severe cases of pathogenic heat obstructing the lungs. The description of "the eyes are likely to dislodge" does not refer to hyperthyroidism with sunken orbits, but to the enlarged eye opening caused by severe coughing and asthma as well as chemosis caused by type Ⅱ respiratory failure. The disease indications of this prescription include acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease combined with type Ⅱ respiratory failure, severe pulmonary infection, pulmonary heart disease combined with infection, interstitial pneumonia, and bronchial asthma. The symptom and sign indications of this prescription include chest tightness, wheezing, cough, expectoration, yellow and sticky phlegm, difficult cough, dry mouth/thirst, desire for cold drinks, irritability, enlarged open of eyes, chemosis, dry stool, yellow urine, red tongue, thin white or yellow tongue coating, dry tongue coating, and floating and slippery powerful pulse. In terms of the disease nature, the indications of this prescription are mainly excess syndromes and rarely include deficiency syndromes. In terms of treatment course, one or two bags of Yuebi Plus Banxia Decoction can demonstrate effects of relieving dyspnea and coughing. In terms of prescription identification, Yuebi Plus Banxia Decoction needs to be distinguished from Yuebi Decoction and Yuebi Plus Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction. In terms of pharmacological effects, Yuebi Plus Banxia Decoction demonstrates anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and can alleviate congestion and edema in the bronchial wall and surrounding interstitium.