Asthma - Deficiency Wheezing (Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency) Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Asthma · Deficiency Wheezing (Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency) Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Chest

Pattern Overview

Deficiency Wheezing (Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency) is a core pattern in asthma remission, characterized by recurrent asthma, fatigue, pale complexion, poor appetite, and susceptibility to colds. The core pathogenesis is Lung and Spleen Qi deficiency with weakened defensive exterior, making the patient vulnerable to external pathogens and recurrent asthma attacks.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Recurrent asthma, fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath |

| Associated Symptoms | Poor appetite, loose stools, spontaneous sweating, susceptibility to colds |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale and swollen tongue with teeth marks, thin white coating, thready and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Lung-Spleen Qi deficiency with weakened defensive exterior |

| Etiology | Prolonged illness, poor nutrition, recurrent respiratory infections, constitutional weakness |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Feishu (BL13) | On the upper back, 1.5 cun lateral to T3 | Back-Shu point of Lung meridian; supplements Lung Qi |

| Pishu (BL20) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 | Back-Shu point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen Qi |

| Taiyuan (LU9) | On the wrist crease, radial side | Source point of Lung meridian; supplements Lung Qi |

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi |

| Qihai (RN6) | 1.5 cun below the umbilicus | Tonifies Qi and strengthens the body’s foundation |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be added to warm and tonify Qi.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Liu Jun Zi Tang (六君子汤)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), Licorice (Gan Cao), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), Pinellia (Fa Ban Xia), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng)

Action: Supplements Lung and Spleen Qi, strengthens the defensive exterior, and transforms Phlegm.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Spontaneous sweating | Add Mu Li, Fu Xiao Mai to stabilize the exterior |

| Poor appetite and loose stools | Add Shan Yao, Yi Yi Ren to strengthen Spleen and stop diarrhea |

| Susceptibility to colds | Add Ling Zhi, Xiang Gu to support the upright Qi |

| Wheezing | Add Hu Tao Rou, Ge Jie to supplement the Kidneys and receive Qi |

Western Mechanism Reference

Respiratory muscle fatigue reducing ventilation efficiency; low immunoglobulin levels causing recurrent infections and airway remodeling. Deficiency Wheezing corresponds to asthma remission with immune dysfunction, where reduced immune function and respiratory muscle fatigue contribute to recurrent infections and airway remodeling.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Asthma with Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency.

  2. DB-XJB: Liu Jun Zi Tang.

  3. WHO. (2023). Asthma fact sheet. World Health Organization.

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