Three-Seed Almond Decoction

Herbal Tea Name: Three-Seed Almond Decoction

Chinese Name: 三子杏仁饮

Formula

10 grams of perilla seeds, 10 grams of white mustard seeds, 15 grams of radish seeds, and 10 grams of almonds.

Main Ingredients

How To Make

Place the Perilla seeds, White Mustard seeds, Radish seeds, and Apricot kernels in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain out the solids and retain the liquid.

Efficacy

Descends qi, resolves phlegm, relieves cough, and alleviates wheezing. Suitable for all types of bronchial asthma.

Usage

Take one dose in the morning and one in the evening.

Commentary

Perilla seeds (Zi-su-zi) serve as the monarch (chief) herb; warm and pungent in character, it channels into the Lung, Large Intestine meridians, working chiefly to descend qi, resolve phlegm, relieve cough and wheezing, moisten the intestines. White mustard seeds stand in the deputy (minister) seat; warm and pungent in character, it travels through the Lung, Stomach meridians to warm the lung and resolve phlegm. Radish seeds (Lai-fu-zi) complement it, working to descend qi, dissolve food stagnation and resolve phlegm. Almonds (Xing-ren) serve as a supporting (assistant) herb, acting to descend lung qi and relieve cough and wheezing, thus refining the overall action. Without a separate harmonizing herb, the herbal tea formula balance is achieved through the mutual tempering of its active ingredients. Working as one, the formula descend qi, resolve phlegm, relieve cough, alleviate wheezing, thereby targeting the bronchial asthma pattern that underlies the complaint.

Three-Seed Almond Decoction,From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Descends qi, resolves phlegm, relieves cough, and alleviates wheezing. Suitable for all types of bronchial asthma.