What medication should be taken to relieve cough and clear phlegm from the lungs?

Under normal circumstances, medications such as Chuanbei Pipa Syrup, Jizhi Syrup, She Dan Chuan Bei Liquid, Ambroxol Hydrochloride Capsules, and Qingqi Huatan Pills may be used under a doctor's guidance to relieve coughing, clear the lungs, and resolve phlegm. If discomfort occurs, prompt medical attention is recommended. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Chuanbei Pipa Syrup

This medication primarily consists of Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuanbeimu) and loquat leaf (Pipa Ye). Fritillaria cirrhosa has effects of clearing heat, moistening the lungs, resolving phlegm, and relieving cough; loquat leaf clears the lungs and stops coughing. The combination of these traditional Chinese herbs can moisten the lungs, resolve phlegm, relieve cough, and alleviate wheezing. It is suitable for cough caused by wind-heat invading the lungs or internal retention of phlegm-heat, characterized by yellow sputum, unsatisfactory expectoration, sore throat, and swelling. It is effective in alleviating cough and removing phlegm due to lung heat.

2. Jizhi Syrup

This syrup contains Houttuynia cordata, Fagopyrum tataricum, Ilex chinensis, Ephedra sinica, and other ingredients. Houttuynia cordata clears heat, detoxifies, and eliminates abscesses; Fagopyrum tataricum clears heat, detoxifies, resolves phlegm, and benefits the throat; Ilex chinensis clears heat and cools the blood; Ephedra sinica promotes lung function and relieves wheezing. This formula effectively clears heat, resolves phlegm, promotes lung function, and stops coughing. It is commonly used for cough due to external wind-heat invasion, presenting symptoms such as fever, chills, chest and diaphragmatic fullness, cough, and sore throat.

3. She Dan Chuan Bei Liquid

The main components are snake bile and Fritillaria cirrhosa. Snake bile clears heat, detoxifies, resolves phlegm, and calms spasms; Fritillaria cirrhosa clears heat, moistens the lungs, resolves phlegm, and stops cough. Together, they exert synergistic effects in clearing the lungs, relieving cough, and eliminating phlegm. This preparation is used for lung-heat cough accompanied by excessive phlegm.

4. Ambroxol Hydrochloride Capsules

Ambroxol hydrochloride increases secretion from serous glands in the respiratory mucosa while reducing mucus gland secretion, thereby decreasing sputum viscosity and facilitating easier expectoration. Additionally, it promotes the secretion of pulmonary surfactants and enhances ciliary movement in the bronchi, aiding in sputum clearance. It is primarily indicated for acute and chronic pulmonary diseases associated with abnormal mucus secretion and impaired expectoration, which lead to cough and sputum production.

5. Qingqi Huatan Pills

The formula includes processed South Star (Dan Nan Xing), which clears heat and resolves phlegm; Trichosanthes seed (Gua Lou Ren), which clears heat, resolves phlegm, and moistens the intestines to promote bowel movements; Scutellaria baicalensis (Huang Qin), which clears lung fire; Poria (Fu Ling), which strengthens the spleen and removes dampness; and apricot kernel (Xing Ren), which descends lung qi and stops cough. Together, these ingredients have the combined effects of clearing heat, resolving phlegm, regulating qi, and stopping cough. It is indicated for phlegm-heat cough, characterized by cough, shortness of breath, yellow and thick sputum, and fullness or tightness in the chest area, helping to eliminate pathogenic heat and phlegm from the lungs at their root.

In daily life, it is important to drink plenty of water, maintain humid air, and avoid irritants such as spicy foods, smoke, and dust, to facilitate sputum expulsion and support respiratory recovery.