What are the symptoms of Qi deficiency type cough in children? How to treat it?

The symptoms of Qi deficiency type cough in children are: repeated coughing, mainly in the early morning, clear white sputum, pale complexion, spontaneous sweating and chills, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, low voice, poor appetite, pale and tender tongue with teeth marks on the edges, and a weak pulse. So what are the symptoms of cough in children with qi deficiency?

Symptoms: recurrent coughing, mainly in the early morning, with thin white sputum, pale complexion, spontaneous sweating, fear of cold, shortness of breath, laziness to speak, low voice, poor appetite, pale and tender tongue with teeth marks on the edges, and a weak pulse.

Cause and pathogenesis: Lung deficiency and loose pores lead to lung failure to clear and purify, resulting in recurrent cough, spontaneous sweating, chills, and repeated colds. When spleen qi is weak, water turns into dampness, which turns into phlegm. As a result, the phlegm is white and thin, and food tastes unsatisfactory. The spleen and lungs are deficient in qi, so the complexion is pale, the breath is short and the speech is weak. The tongue is pale and tender with teeth marks on the edges, the tongue coating is thin white, and the pulse is thready and weak, which is a sign of qi deficiency.

Treatment principles and methods: Strengthen the spleen and replenish Qi.

Prescription: Ginseng and Schisandra Decoction with modifications.

Source: "Chinese Medicine Pediatrics" · Chapter 1 Common Diseases (Part) · Section 2 Cough (Chapter)

Original text: Symptoms of Qi deficiency cough: recurrent coughing, mainly in the early morning, with clear white sputum, pale complexion, spontaneous sweating, fear of cold, shortness of breath, laziness to speak, low voice, poor appetite, pale and tender tongue with teeth marks on the edges, and a weak pulse.

Symptom analysis: Lung deficiency causes loose pores and poor lung purification, resulting in recurrent coughs, spontaneous sweating, chills, and repeated colds. When spleen qi is weak, water turns into dampness, which turns into phlegm. As a result, the phlegm is white and thin, and food tastes unsatisfactory. The spleen and lungs are deficient in qi, so the complexion is pale, the breath is short and the speech is weak. The tongue is pale and tender with teeth marks on the edges, the tongue coating is thin white, and the pulse is thready and weak, which is a sign of qi deficiency. Treatment method: Strengthen the spleen and replenish qi.

The prescription is modified ginseng and schisandra decoction. The formula contains Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, and licorice to replenish Qi and strengthen the lungs, while Schisandra chinensis, Ophiopogon japonicus, ginger, and jujube to harmonize the Ying and Wei. For those with phlegm, add Pinellia ternata and Tangerine Peel to relieve cough and resolve phlegm; for those with spontaneous sweating, fear of cold, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, add Astragalus membranaceus, cinnamon twig and white peony root to replenish qi and strengthen the middle; for those with long-term cough, add Terminalia chebula and Stemona bulb to nourish the lungs and relieve cough; for those with cold and fluid, add dried ginger to warm the middle and resolve the fluid.