Once patterns such as dampness and phlegm are present, the body moves out of balance little by little.
When left untreated, these patterns progress into various diseases. If this is the current situation for your pet, looking into Herbsmith Er Chen San may do wonders for them.
Chinese medical practitioners studied the curative formula and because of its effectiveness, it’s still used in modern times.
For a dog coughing up phlegm, this herbal formula will work to resolve the root cause of the symptoms.
The next sections will tackle the history of Er Chen San and how Eastern and Western veterinarians put its principles into practice.
Er Chen San’s History
The Chinese invented the five-ingredient formula in 1148 AD. Tangerine Peel and Crow-dipper Rhizomes are the main ingredients that restore a disrupted Qi, dry out dampness, and expel phlegm.
Some brands use only four ingredients, such as Herbsmith.
Historical records documented this formula is not ideal to cure dry cough due to dryness (lung yin deficiency). That’s why veterinarians use this as a dog phlegm remedy. Moreover, prolonged usage results in internal dryness.
It’s best to consult with a licensed vet experienced in TCVM before using the formula. Such is the case if your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you’re considering pharmaceuticals for dog phlegm as an alternative.
How Easterners Use It
TCM practitioners always look into the root cause of conditions. They rely on the energetic balance in the body, believing that disharmony causes the body to fall ill.
This explains the extensive composition of herbal formulas available to veterinarians such as Herbsmith’s Er Chen San and Jing Tang’s Phlegm Fat Formula.
Eastern Practitioners use this medication with these benefits in mind:
- Dries out dampness (especially in the spleen)
- Dissolves or transforms damp phlegm and phlegm heat in the lungs
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes spleen and stomach
- Harmonizes the stomach
How Westerners Use It
In contrast, Western medicine relies more on diagnoses than on patterns. The latter is an Eastern concept. Westerners believe that the early onset of certain conditions can be vague, and therefore tricky to treat.
In this context, they use medicine to treat the following:
- Upper respiratory tract infections, such as chronic bronchitis
- Morning sickness
4 Key Ingredients of Er Chen San
The secret of Er Chen San’s effectiveness lies in its rich medicinal plant ingredients. Purposefully picked and blended together, the result is a formula that corrects patterns and conditions comprehensively.
1. Rhizome Pinelliae (ban xia)
Ban Xia is a “king” ingredient in the phlegm-expelling Er Chen San formula. It compels rebellious Qi in the stomach to descend.
When used alone, it dries out dampness and expels phlegm.
2. Pericarpium Citri Erythrocarpae (chen pi)
Another king ingredient, Chen Pi, promotes the flow of Qi in both the stomach and spleen while drying out traces of dampness. Also, this ingredient disperses cold and stagnant Qi.
3. Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (fu ling)
Fu Ling focuses on treating phlegm and has the ability to move water and dampness.
But it doesn’t stop there: it strengthens the spleen and alleviates palpitations and dizziness from upward-rising phlegm dampness.
4. Honey-fried Radix Uralensis (zhi gan cao)
Gan Cao only acts as an assistant ingredient in this formula. Its role is to tonify the spleen. However, in other formulas where it is a king ingredient, Gan Cao has a lot to give:
- Tonifies basal Qi
- Nourishing spleen Qi
- Clears heat
- Dispels toxicity
- Stops coughing
- Transforms and expels phlegm
- Moistens lungs
- Relieves spasms
- Alleviates pain
- Moderates the effects of other herbs
Getting Treated Early
Some pet owners underestimate phlegm’s ability to cause havoc in their pet’s body.
“It’s just going to pass eventually.”
“It’s just a simple flu, nothing serious.”
While such statements are sometimes true, it’s always best to be equipped with knowledge.
Treating patterns in their early stages will highly reduce the discomfort and prevents the sickness from developing into something more serious.
However, it is imperative you speak with a veterinarian first before using Er Chen San. The medication has certain contraindications:
- Acute cough from common cold (Lung yin deficiency)
- Pregnant or nursing pets.
Don’t wait for certain diseases to progress. As pet parents, we hate the look of discomfort and pain from our fur babies.
Once patterns for dog phlegm in the throat make clear manifestation, don’t hesitate to contact your vet and ask about Er Chen San for treatment.
