Disseminating lung qi to relieve asthma (Xuanfei Pingchuan)

Disseminating lung qi to relieve asthma (Xuanfei Pingchuan) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic principle rather than a specific molecular target such as a receptor or enzyme (WHO International Standard Terminologies, 2007). It describes a clinical strategy aimed at restoring the Lung's 'dispersing' function, which facilitates the outward and upward movement of Qi and fluids to maintain airway patency and respiratory health (Zhu et al., 2014). This principle is standardly applied in the treatment of respiratory conditions like bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where Lung Qi is considered obstructed by pathogenic factors (Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020). Pharmacologically, the herbal formulas associated with this principle, such as those containing Ephedra sinica, act through various pathways including the activation of adrenergic receptors by ephedrine and the modulation of inflammatory mediators like IL-4 and IL-5 (PubMed, PMID: 24701235; StatPearls, 2023). Because it represents a holistic treatment method involving multi-component interactions, it does not map to a single biological target but rather to a collective physiological outcome.

Other names

Xuanfei PingchuanVentilating the lung and calming wheezingDispersing lung qi to relieve asthmaXuan Fei Ping Chuan

Promotion of bronchodilation through the activation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors and the inhibition of airway inflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and mast cell degranulation.