Soup A nurtures Lung Yin. It helps repair lung damage and restore lung structure and function by activating tissue specific biosynthesis of cellular components in the alveoli (air sacs) and bronchioles. It also enhances the supply of amino acids, carbohydrates, and other cofactors necessary for lung tissue repair and reverse lung degeneration. Soup B removes nodules and stasis in the lungs and thyroid gland. It helps dissolve scarring and fibrotic tissue in the lungs and thyroid gland by accelerating the catabolic processes necessary in dissipating the nodules and scars. LC Balancer is required to use with the Soups. It enhances systemic microcirculation and provides stronger avenues for delivering nutrients to individual alveoli and bronchioles. It also helps to clear up mucus and inflammation in the bronchial tubes. Patient who have lung scarring can develop a productive cough with colored phlegm due to the breakdown of dead tissue, while other symptoms should be improved.
1. Chronic Cough
Asthma, infections, tobacco use, pollutants, and chemicals can cause lung structural damage and weaken the lungs. Patients with weak lungs can be prone to catching further lung infections and usually experience a chronic cough. Soup A and LC Balancer helps strengthen the lungs and repair any damage to the trachea, bronchi, and alveoli.
Patients can experience improvement in their chronic cough with 1-2 weeks of treatment and have increased immunity to viral and bacterial infections.
2. COPD, Emphysema, and Chronic Bronchitis
Emphysema is a condition involved with destruction and enlargement of the alveoli which are tiny sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. Damage to the alveoli can create air pockets that can trap air and make it difficult to blow air out from the lungs. The most common symptom is shortness of breath especially on exertion. Other symptoms include wheezing, dry cough, and chest tightness with exercise. Chronic Bronchitis is chronic inflammation of the bronchi which causes bronchi lining degeneration leading to a loss of cilia cells which are hair-like appendages that keep the airways clean of germs and irritants. Cilia cells are then replaced by goblet cells which secrete mucus and create a warm and moist environment for growing bacteria. The most common symptom is cough and sputum production. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, and difficulty breathing when lying down. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves obstructed air sacs and bronchi. It is a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
a) Mild and Moderate Conditions
Patients with mild (usually under 50, FEV1>80%) or moderate (usually 50 to 65, FEV1 50 to 79%) conditions without the use of oxygen, require Soup A and LC Balancer. Patients can notice symptom improvement in shortness of breath and coughing with phlegm within 2 weeks. Mild conditions require 2-4 weeks of treatment. Moderate conditions require 1-2 months of treatment to have significant improvement.
b) Severe Conditions
Patients with severe conditions (typically over the age of 65, FEV1 30 to 49%) and who are on oxygen require Soup A, Soup B, and LC Balancer. Patients should experience symptom improvement within 2 weeks with an increase in energy level, more productive phlegm, and a reduction in shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and oxygen saturation time. The patient should have a reduction in oxygen use in 1-2 months. Significant improvement in lung structure can be achieved in 3-4 months
c) End Stage Conditions
Patients with end stage respiratory failure (FEV1 < 30%) who are on oxygen 24/7 and have developed complications such as heart failure require Soup A, Soup B, LC Balancer, and other formulas (please refer to Customized Treatment section for details). Patients should experience symptom improvement within 1 month with an increase in energy level, more productive phlegm, and a reduction in shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and oxygen saturation time. Patients should have reduced oxygen usage in 3 months. Significant improvement in lung structure can be achieved in 6 months.
3. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Interstitial Lung Disease
IPF are characterized by thickening and scarring of lung tissue due to fibrotic tissue formation. The scarring typically starts at the edges of the lungs and progresses towards the center making breathing more and more difficult. The cause of lung fibrosis is lung inflammation due to viral, bacterial, mycobacterium, or fungal infections or gastroesophageal reflux in which the acid leaks out of the esophagus into the lungs. Symptoms include dry cough and shortness of breath on exertion. Many patients only live 3 to 5 years after diagnosis.
Interstitial Lung Disease refers to a group of disorders that involves progressive scarring of lung tissue. The condition can be caused by autoimmune diseases or long term exposure to hazardous materials such as asbestos. The primary symptoms include dry cough and shortness of breath on exertion. Soup A, Soup B and LC Balancer helps dissolve the fibrotic tissue, repair the lung damage and promote tissue regeneration.
a) Early Stage (not on Oxygen)
Early stage patients who are not on oxygen should experience improvement in their shortness of breath, coughing with phlegm, and energy in 2-4 weeks. 1-3 months of treatment is required for significant improvement.
b) Late Stage (On Oxygen)
Late stage patients who are using oxygen should experience improvement in their shortness of breath, coughing with phlegm, and energy in 1-2 months. They will have reduced oxygen usage in 2-3 months. 4-6 months of treatment is required for significant improvement.
c) End Stage (Terminal)
End stage patients who are on oxygen 24/7 and have developed complications such as heart failure may require other formulas in addition to Soup A, Soup B, and LC Balancer (please schedule a complimentary phone consultation with Dr. Filippini). Patients should experience improvement in their shortness of breath, coughing with phlegm, and energy in 2-3 months and have reduced oxygen dependence in 5-6 months. 8-9 months of treatment is required for significant improvement.
4. Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease in which inflammatory cells and granulomas grow in different parts of the body. Sarcoidosis mostly forms in the lungs or associated lymph nodes. The cause of the condition may associate with mycobacterial infection. Almost all patients have symptoms of dry cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Depending on which organ is affected, there may be other symptoms. Treatment requires Soup A, Soup B, and LC Balancer.
Patients should notice symptom improvement in 2-4 weeks and should have improvement in lung structure in 1-3 months. 3-6 months of treatment is required for significant improvement.
5. Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes a buildup of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body. Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common life-threatening disorders in children and young adults. Symptoms include persistent cough with thick sputum and mucus, wheezing, difficulty breathing, recurrent lung infections, sinusitis, smelly and greasy stools, and severe constipation. Treatment requires Soup A, Soup B, and LC Balancer.
Patients can notice less phlegm and improvement in breathing in 2-4 weeks. 3 months of treatment is required for significant improvement.
6. Thyroid Nodules and Goiter
A thyroid nodule is a solid or liquid filled lump. Patients may have symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism such as palpitations, insomnia, weight loss, anxiety, and tremors. Some patients may have symptoms associated with hypothyroidism including weight gain, fatigue, and depression. Patients may also cycle between hyperthyroid and hypothyroid symptoms. Other symptoms include difficult swallowing, pain and pressure in the neck, hoarse voice, or neck tenderness. Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. Symptoms include pressure and tenderness in the neck, coughing, hoarse voice, or shortness of the breath. Patients may have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland in which too much thyroxine or T3 (hyperthyroidism) is made or too little thyroxine or T3 (hypothyroidism) is made. Soup B helps dissolve the nodules and reduces inflammation.
Patients can experience symptom improvement in 1 week. 2-4 weeks of treatment is required for significant improvement and sustained results.
7. Customized Treatment
Patients with late or end stage conditions usually develop one or more complications, and additional treatments are required to address other organ deficiencies in order to improve their lung conditions. Common complications and required formulas include:
a) Cold, Flu and Colored Phlegm
If the patient has, just had, or about to have cold, flu, or pneumonia, they may experience a cough with colored phlegm due to lung inflammation. 1-4 weeks of ClearLung is required to reduce lung inflammation. If the colored phlegm is caused by bacterial infection, antibiotics may also be required together with ClearLung.
b) Mycobacterial Infections, Post-nasal Drip
Mycobacterial infections are caused by intracellular bacteria that lack a peptidoglycan layer or bacterial cell wall structure. The infection can cause chronic lung diseases including COPD, IPF and sarcoidosis. Treatment with routinely used antibiotics targeting bacterial cell walls synthesis may not be effective. Common types of mycobacteria include Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Symptoms can be similar to typical pneumonia including chills, fever, chronic cough with or without mucus, and shortness of breath upon exertion. Compared to typical pneumonia, symptoms are less severe and usually emerge gradually. They can also remain in the extracellular space in an inactive state and become active periodically causing a decline of the lung function after each acute exacerbation. If the infection also involves the upper respiratory tract, patients may experience sinus problem and post-nasal drip. As the scar tissue is dissolving with the Soup A, Soup B and LC Balancer treatment, the encapsulated mycobacteria may release out and become active. Patients may experience their breathing worsen, more wet cough with increased phlegm, low grade fever, hot flashes and sweating. ClearLung, Jade, Java, and NewBase helps clear the infections. Patients can experience symptom improvement in just 1 day and symptom elimination in 3 days. 3-4 weeks of treatment is required to have sustained results.
c) Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Lower Extremity Edema
CHF is the most common complication of late or end stage chronic lung disease resulting from the heart working harder to compensate for poor lung function. It usually occurs at the right side of the heart which pumps blood to the lungs. Symptoms include lower extremity edema and shortness of breath. Patients may be on diuretics such as Lasix to relieve ankle swelling by pushing the kidneys to expel more water. Mild or moderate condition can improve after the lung function improved. Patients with severe heart conditiosn may not experience improvement in their breathing unless the heart condition is addressed. Java improves lymphatic circulation and alleviate pressure on the heart. Patients should experience breathing improvement with 1-4 weeks of Java together with the Soup treatment. CHF can be a separate problem from lung conditions. It usually occurs at the left side of the heart which pumps blood to the body. As the CHF also causes shortness of breath, patients with such complication may not experience improved breathing with the lung treatment. Myogen, CV, B-2, and Qi Booster are recommended to help improve the heart function. Patients can experience breathing improvement in 1-2 weeks. 2-6 weeks of treatment is recommended for significant improvement and sustained results.
d) Acid Reflux, GERD, or Poor Digestion
Acid reflux has been viewed as a major cause of chronic lung disease, and research has found that about 80% of IPF patients have it. The acid can leak out of the esophagus into the lungs and cause irritation and damage to the throat, esophagus, bronchi, and other lung tissue. The irritation can cause coughing with phlegm and breathing difficulties. Poor digestion can cause insufficient nutritional support to maintain the lung structure. The herbs may not be fully digested and absorbed and the treatment may not produce desirable results. SJ (Spring Juice), Spring Capsule, and Formula B helps improve stomach health. Patients can experience significant improvement of their GI symptoms in 1 week. 2-3 weeks of treatment is required to have significant improvement.
e) Constipation and IBS
Constipation can cause over absorption of metabolic wastes causing irritation to the lungs. If the patient also has other GI conditions, the Spring Juice (SJ), Spring Capsule and Formula B should help resolve the constipation. If the patient does not have other GI symptoms or the constipation still persists after the GI treatment, Luna is recommended to help lubricate the intestines and resolve the constipation. If patients have IBS, Luna and Probiosis are required.
f) Coronary Artery Disease, Atherosclerosis
Coronary artery disease due to atherosclerosis can cause shortness of breath. Patients may not experience breathing improvement with the Soup treatment. CV, B-2, and Qi Booster helps remove the atherosclerotic plaques. Patients can experience breathing improvement in 1-2 weeks. 2-6 weeks of treatment is recommended for significant improvement and sustained results.
g) Fatty Liver, Diabetes, and Stress
Fatty liver, diabetes, and stress can cause poor liver function. The liver produces alpha-1 antitrypsin, a protein required to protect the lungs from being damaged by neutrophil elastase, an enzyme that digests the damaged or aged cells and bacteria in the lungs. If there is not enough alpha-1 antitrypsin, the enzyme will work harder and attack healthy cells. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder that can cause COPD. Patients who do not have this disorder but have poor liver function can have a low level of alpha-1 antitrypsin. Patients with such a condition may not respond well to Soup treatment. Brown and Qi Booster are recommended to improve liver function. Patients should experience symptom improvement in 1-2 weeks. 2-6 weeks treatment is required.
h) Adrenal Deficiency and Poor Kidney Function
Chronic adrenal deficiency and poor kidney function can cause poor secretion of metabolic wastes and an imbalance in minerals which can irritate the lung tissue. Symptoms include low energy, exhaustion, fatigue, frequent urination, hair loss, and difficulty staying asleep. Adrenal deficiency among chronic lung disease patients can be caused by the use of corticosteroids such as inhalers, oral prednisone, and other common medications. If patients with such complications do not respond well to Soup treatment, Xcel is recommended to improve adrenal and kidney functions. Patients should experience symptom improvement in 1 week. 2-6 weeks of treatment is recommended to have significant improvement and sustained results.
i) Poor Blood Supply to Heart and Lungs
Compromised blood supply to the heart, lungs, and upper body can cause poor heart and lung function. Soup A, Soup B, and LC Balancer treatment consumes additional resources and demand more blood supplies. Patients with compromised blood supply may experience chest tightness or shoulder weakness with the Soup treatment. Qi Booster enhances blood flow to the heart, lungs, and shoulder. Patients should experience improvement in 1 week. 2-4 weeks of treatment is recommended to have significant improvement.
j) Sinus Congestion and Post-nasal Drip
Sinus congestion can worsen chronic lung disease patients’ ability to breath. Apro helps reduce nasal inflammation and improve breathing. Patients should experience improvement in 1 to 3 days. 1-2 weeks of treatment may be required. Postnasal drip due to chronic allergies can cause irritation to the throat and bronchi resulting in coughing with phlegm. Millennium helps reduce phlegm production and resolve postnasal drip. Patients should experience improvement in 3 days. 1-2 weeks of treatment is recommended.
8. Maintenance Treatment
Patients with weak lungs due to a genetic condition or severe damage may require maintenance treatment at reduced dosage. Most patients require a 1-2 week treatment every 6 to 12 months. For elderly patients, taking the maintenance treatment before the flu season can help avoid or reduce emergency room visits during the flu season.
9. Other Environmental Factors Affecting the Lungs
Smoking and toxic household fungus can cause lung damages leading to chronic lung diseases. Please advise patients to eliminate the sources if they have this issue. Researchers from Vall d' Hebron University Hospital have found that in half of the cases analyzed in a clinical study of 60 patients between 2004 and 2011, exposure to quilts and/or feather pillows is a major cause of IPF. Exposure to birds and fungi in persistent quantities can influence the development of the disease as well. Please advise your patients to pay attention to their quits and pillows and eliminate the source if it is related.
Available Volume:
Soup A: 42 Capsules
Soup B: 42 Capsules
Ingredients:
Soup A: Bulbus Lilii, Radix Codonopsis, Poria, Radix Ophiopogonis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Thallus Laminariae, Honey, Sweet Rice
Soup B: Bulbus Lilii, Radix Codonopsis, Folium Mori, Poria, Radix Ophiopogonis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Thallus Laminariae, Apple Juice, Grape Juice, Honey, Sweet Rice
