Treatment of Pediatric Viral Pneumonia in the Acute Phase Based on the Theory of "Exuberant Fire Consuming Qi"
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.20.006
- VernacularTitle:基于“壮火食气”论治儿童病毒性肺炎急性期
- Author:
Zisu CHEN
1
;
Dandan DING
2
;
Fajun LI
2
;
Min LI
2
Author Information
1. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine，Beijing，100029
2. Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Capital Medical University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
viral pneumonia;
exuberant fire consuming qi;
immune dysregulation;
reinforcing healthy qi and dispelling pathogen;
children
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(20):2179-2182
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
In clinical practice， it has been observed that pediatric viral pneumonia in the acute phase often present with pronounced heat manifestations， including high fever， flushed face， and rapid pulse， but heat-clearing medicinals alone frequently fails to achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes. Based on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） theory， it is proposed that during the acute phase of the disease， the pathological process of "exuberant fire consuming qi" often occurs earlier than the appearance of clinical qi deficiency manifestations. Analysis in conjunction with modern viral immunology research findings suggests that the core pathological mechanism of viral infection lies in a vicious cycle of immune overactivation and immune function impairment， and this process shares certain similarities with the TCM pathogenesis of "exuberant fire consuming qi". Therefore， it is proposed that in the acute phase of pediatric viral pneumonia， if there is persistent high fever and poor response to antipyretics， heat-clearing medicinals should be administered in adequate doses to eliminate the "exuberant fire"， while sweet-warm qi-supplementing medicinals， such as huangqi （Radix Astragali） and Dangshen （Radix Codonopsis）， should be introduced early to reinforce healthy qi and help restore immune homeostasis. Meanwhile， as exuberant fire may damage yin， Huangjing （Rhizoma Polygonati） may be added to supplement both qi and yin， along with sweet-cool yin-nourishing medicinals， such as Beishashen （Radix Glehniae）， Maidong （Radix Ophiopogonis） and Tianhuafen （Radix Trichosanthis）， to moisten the yin fluids.
