脉沉者留饮，双弦者寒也，偏弦者饮也。肺饮不弦，但苦喘满短气。支饮亦喘不得卧，短气，其脉平。
沉而弦者悬饮。肝脉软而散，色泽者溢饮。《提纲》曰∶痰脉弦滑。《三因》曰∶饮脉皆沉细弦滑。病患一臂
不遂，时复移在一臂，其脉沉细，非风也，必有饮在上焦。痰得涩脉，必费调理，以痰胶固，脉道阻塞也。左右
关脉实大而浮，膈上有稠痰也，宜吐之。病患百药不效，关上脉伏而滑者，痰也；眼胞上下如黑煤者，亦痰也。
《回春》曰∶眼黑而行步呻吟，举动艰难，入骨痰也，非萆 苦参不除，其遍体骨节痛，审气血加化痰药。
《入门》曰∶痰厥者，因内虚受寒，痰气阻塞，手足厥冷，麻痹晕倒，脉沉细也。
湿痰，主半夏，佐茯苓、苍术。风痰，主南星，佐前胡、白附。燥痰，主贝母，佐栝蒌、杏仁。火痰，主
竹沥，佐花粉、黄芩。寒痰，主姜汁，佐半夏、苏子。食痰，用神曲、山楂、麦芽。酒痰，用花粉、白术、神曲，
或四苓散。惊痰，用天竺黄、牛黄、胆星。老痰，用海浮石、栝蒌、川贝。气痰，用广皮、枳壳、郁金汁。
胶痰，用橘红、杏仁、荆沥。痰核，半夏、连翘、贝、桔、枳、星、夏枯草等。痰结，朴硝、枳实、海藻、
姜汁。痰在四肢，
非竹沥不达。痰在胁下，非白芥子不除。痰在皮里膜外，非姜汁、竹沥、白芥子不到。痰在经络，非姜汁、
竹沥不行。痰中带血，宜韭汁、阿胶。痰迷癫痫，宜控涎丹。气实痰盛，宜三子养亲汤。实热老痰，礞石滚
痰丸。风寒痰涌，及小儿惊风，青州白丸子。痰血塞心窍癫狂，白金丸。痰实积饮，宜小胃丹。降痰气，宜苏
子降气汤，润下丸。海粉热痰能清，湿痰能燥，坚痰能软，顽痰能消。石膏坠痰火极效。黄芩、青黛治热痰，
假其下行也。枳实治痰，有推墙倒壁之功。五倍子治老痰，元明粉治热痰，以其能降火软坚也。硝石、礞石
大能降火消痰结，研细，和白糖舌 服效。苍术治痰饮成窠囊，行痰极效。
脉象沉伏的，是留饮（水饮停留不去）；双侧脉象弦紧的，是寒证；单侧脉象弦紧的，是饮证。肺部的饮邪通常不表现为弦脉，只是让人苦于气喘、胸满和呼吸短促。支饮（水饮支撑于胸膈）也会导致气喘不能平卧、呼吸短促，但其脉象可能看似正常。
脉象沉而弦的，是悬饮（水饮悬挂于胁下）。肝脏的脉象软弱且散漫，面色润泽的，是溢饮（水饮溢于四肢肌肤）。《金匮要略·痰饮咳嗽病脉证并治》提纲中说：痰的脉象多弦滑。《三因极一病证方论》说：饮的脉象都是沉细弦滑的。如果病人一只手臂不能活动，有时又转移到另一只手臂，脉象沉细，这不是中风，必定是有饮邪停留在上焦。痰病出现涩脉，一定难以调理，因为痰浊胶结固着，阻塞了脉道。左右关部脉象实大而浮，说明膈上有稠痰，适宜用吐法治疗。病人服用多种药物无效，但关上脉象伏而滑的，是痰证；眼睑上下颜色如黑煤般的，也是痰证。
《回春集》说：眼睛发黑且行走时呻吟，举动艰难，这是入骨之痰，非萆薢、苦参不能去除；如果是遍体骨节疼痛，需审察气血状况，加入化痰药物。
《医宗入门》说：痰厥证，是因为体内虚弱感受寒邪，痰气阻塞，导致手足厥冷、麻痹晕倒，脉象沉细。
湿痰，以半夏为主药，佐以茯苓、苍术。风痰，以南星为主药，佐以前胡、白附子。燥痰，以贝母为主药，佐以瓜蒌、杏仁。火痰，以竹沥为主药，佐以天花粉、黄芩。寒痰，以姜汁为主药，佐以半夏、苏子。食痰，使用神曲、山楂、麦芽。酒痰，使用天花粉、白术、神曲，或者四苓散。惊痰，使用天竺黄、牛黄、胆南星。老痰，使用海浮石、瓜蒌、川贝母。气痰，使用陈皮、枳壳、郁金汁。胶痰，使用橘红、杏仁、荆沥。痰核，使用半夏、连翘、贝母、桔梗、枳壳、南星、夏枯草等。痰结，使用朴硝、枳实、海藻、姜汁。痰在四肢，非竹沥不能通达。痰在胁下，非白芥子不能消除。痰在皮里膜外，非姜汁、竹沥、白芥子不能到达。痰在经络，非姜汁、竹沥不能通行。痰中带血，适宜用韭汁、阿胶。痰迷心窍导致的癫痫，适宜用控涎丹。气实痰盛，适宜用三子养亲汤。实热老痰，用礞石滚痰丸。风寒痰涌，以及小儿惊风，用青州白丸子。痰血堵塞心窍导致的癫狂，用白金丸。痰实积饮，适宜用小胃丹。降痰气，适宜用苏子降气汤、润下丸。海粉能清热痰，能燥湿痰，能软化坚痰，能消除顽痰。石膏坠降痰火效果极佳。黄芩、青黛治疗热痰，是借助其下行的作用。枳实治疗痰，有推墙倒壁般的功效。五倍子治疗老痰，元明粉治疗热痰，因为它们能降火软坚。硝石、礞石大能降火消解痰结，研成细末，与白糖混合含服效果显著。苍术治疗痰饮形成窠囊，行痰效果极好。
If the pulse is deep, it indicates retained fluid (Shuiyin, fluid retention that remains stagnant); if both radial arteries are wiry, it indicates cold; if only one radial artery is wiry, it indicates fluid. Pulmonary fluid does not typically present with a wiry pulse, but rather causes distress due to wheezing, chest fullness, and shortness of breath. Branch fluid (Zhiyin, fluid obstructing the chest and diaphragm) also causes wheezing and inability to lie flat, along with shortness of breath, yet its pulse may appear normal.
A pulse that is deep and wiry indicates suspended fluid (Xuanyin, fluid hanging in the hypochondrium). A liver pulse that is soft and scattered, accompanied by lustrous facial coloration, indicates overflowing fluid (Yiyin, fluid overflowing into the limbs and skin). The "Outline" states: The pulse of phlegm is wiry and slippery. *San Yin Fang* states: The pulses of all fluids are deep, fine, wiry, and slippery. If a patient has paralysis of one arm, which sometimes shifts to the other arm, and the pulse is deep and fine, this is not wind-stroke, but must be fluid residing in the Upper Jiao. Phlegm presenting with a choppy pulse will be difficult to regulate, as the phlegm is sticky and solidified, blocking the pulse channels. If the Guan positions on both left and right sides are substantial, large, and floating, it indicates thick phlegm above the diaphragm, and emesis is indicated. If a patient has failed to respond to various medicines, but the Guan pulse is hidden and slippery, it is phlegm; similarly, if the eyelids look like black soot, it is also phlegm.
*Huichun Ji* states: Blackening of the eyes, groaning while walking, and difficulty in movement indicate bone-penetrating phlegm, which cannot be eliminated without Bi Xie (Dioscorea hypoglauca Rhizome) and Ku Shen (Sophora Flavescens Root); if there is pain throughout the body and joints, assess the Qi and Blood and add phlegm-resolving herbs.
*Yizong Rumeng* states: Phlegm-Jue syndrome occurs due to internal deficiency and cold invasion, where phlegm-Qi obstruction causes cold extremities, numbness, fainting, and a deep, fine pulse.
For damp-phlegm, Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) is the chief herb, assisted by Fu Ling (Poria), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome). For wind-phlegm, Nan Xing (Arisaema Rhizoma cum Bile) is the chief herb, assisted by Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) and Bai Fu Zi (Typhonii Rhizoma). For dry-phlegm, Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus) is the chief herb, assisted by Gua Lou (Trichosanthis Fructus) and Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum). For fire-phlegm, Zhu Li (Bambusae Succus) is the chief herb, assisted by Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) and Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix). For cold-phlegm, Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Recens Juice) is the chief herb, assisted by Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) and Su Zi (Perillae Fructus). For food-phlegm, use Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), Shan Zha (Crataegi Fructus), and Mai Ya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus). For wine-phlegm, use Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), or Si Ling San (Four Poria Powder). For fright-phlegm, use Tian Zhu Huang (Bambusae Concretio Silicea), Niu Huang (Bovis Calculus), and Dan Xing (Arismae Rhizoma cum Bile). For old-phlegm, use Hai Fu Shi (Pumex), Gua Lou (Trichosanthis Fructus), and Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus). For Qi-phlegm, use Guang Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus), and Yu Jin Zhi (Curcumae Longae Rhizomatis Juice). For glue-like phlegm, use Ju Hong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum), Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), and Jing Li (Phyllostachys Viridis Succus). For phlegm nodules, use Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus), Xing (Arisaema Rhizoma), and Xia Ku Cao (Prunellae Spica). For phlegm knots, use Po Xiao (Natrii Sulfas), Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Hai Zao (Sargassum), and Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Recens Juice). For phlegm in the four limbs, only Zhu Li (Bambusae Succus) can penetrate. For phlegm in the hypochondrium, only Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) can eliminate it. For phlegm between the skin and fascia, only Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Recens Juice), Zhu Li (Bambusae Succus), and Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) can reach it. For phlegm in the meridians, only Jiang Zhi (Zingiberis Recens Juice) and Zhu Li (Bambusae Succus) can circulate it. For blood-tinged phlegm, Jiu Zhi (Allii Tuberosi Juice) and E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) are suitable. For phlegm confusing the mind causing epilepsy, Kong Xian Dan (Control Saliva Pill) is suitable. For excess Qi and abundant phlegm, San Zi Yang Qin Tang (Three Seeds Decoction for Nourishing the Elderly) is suitable. For excess heat and old-phlegm, Meng Shi Gun Tan Wan (Magnesite Rolling Phlegm Pill) is used. For wind-cold with surging phlegm, and infantile convulsions, Qingzhou Bai Wan Zi (Qingzhou White Pills) are used. For phlegm-blood blocking the heart orifices causing mania, Bai Jin Wan (White Gold Pill) is used. For phlegm-excess and accumulated fluid, Xiao Wei Dan (Minor Stomach Pill) is suitable. To descend phlegm-Qi, Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Seed Decoction for Descending Qi) and Run Xia Wan (Moisten and Purge Pill) are suitable. Hai Fen (Sea Flour/Sodium Chloride from Sea Plants) can clear heat-phlegm, dry damp-phlegm, soften hard-phlegm, and eliminate stubborn-phlegm. Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) is extremely effective in descending phlegm-fire. Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) and Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis) treat heat-phlegm, utilizing their downward-draining properties. Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) treats phlegm with the power to push down walls. Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) treats old-phlegm; Yuan Ming Fen (Natrii Sulfas Exsiccatus) treats heat-phlegm, because they can descend fire and soften hardness. Xiao Shi (Nitrums) and Meng Shi (Magnesitum) greatly descend fire and dissolve phlegm knots; when ground fine and taken with white sugar on the tongue, they are effective. Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) treats phlegm-fluid forming cysts/nests, with excellent efficacy in moving phlegm.