Pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease predominantly affecting children, characterized by paroxysmal spasmodic coughing with a crowing sound during coughing episodes. Also known as whooping cough or spasmodic cough, it is believed to result from latent phlegm internally accumulating, which, upon infection by pathogenic factors, affects the lungs. Treatment should focus on clearing heat, detoxifying, suppressing cough, and resolving phlegm.
Recommended formula for alleviating infantile pertussis: Take 20–30 grams of fresh purslane, decoct twice with water, combine both filtrates, and concentrate to 100–150 milliliters. Administer orally in three divided doses daily. One dose per day constitutes one treatment cycle, with seven days forming a full course. This formula treats infantile pertussis.
Purslane, sour and cold in nature, primarily clears heat and dampness, disperses blood stasis and swelling, and promotes urination to relieve dysuria. It treats heat-toxin diarrhea, abscesses and boils, scrofula, uterine bleeding, hemorrhoidal bleeding, leukorrhea, genital swelling, and tinea cruris.The fundamental pathogenesis of whooping cough's spasmodic cough involves pathogenic toxins lingering, transforming into heat, and phlegm-heat accumulating in the lungs. Clearing heat toxins is particularly crucial during the initial stage. Folk applications demonstrate purslane's significant efficacy in treating cough and asthma. For instance, the Sichuan Materia Medica records: "For whooping cough: 30g purslane, 10g stemona root. Decoct in water, add white sugar, and consume."Modern pharmacological research indicates that purslane possesses antibacterial, antiviral, antitussive, and bronchodilatory properties. Its potent heat-clearing and toxin-eliminating effects, combined with its ability to resolve dampness, transform phlegm, consolidate the lungs, and suppress coughing, make it highly effective for treating whooping cough spasms.This formula is suitable for children aged 6 months to 10 years. Dosage may be reduced for infants aged 6 months to 1.5 years. Generally, after 4 to 7 consecutive doses, spasmodic coughing and echo symptoms may disappear or lessen. Fresh purslane yields better results; if using dried purslane, the dosage may be reduced to 1/2 or 1/3 of the fresh amount.
Purslane is simple to use, non-toxic, and offers good therapeutic results, making it worth trying. For those who dislike the sour and astringent taste of the decoction, 500 grams of fresh purslane can be boiled with 50 grams of honey into a paste. Take one tablespoon three times daily.