Objective: Ear-points selected for pressing with seeds of Semen Vaccariae were as follows: External Nose, Internal Nose, Pharynx, Trachea, Bronchus, Cough Point, Spleen, Kidney Pingchuan, and Fengxi added for allergic symptoms, Ge added for stuffiness sensation in the chest, Shenmen added for irritability and restlessness. Body points chosen for moxibustion were: Tiantu (CV22), Tanzhong (CV17), Dazhui (GV14), Fengmen (BL12), Feishu (BL13), and Zusanli (ST36) added for those of debility Fenglong (ST40) added for phlegm, Yingxiang (LI20) added for maxillary sinusitis, Yintang (EX-HN3) added for frontal sinusitis. The suspended moxibustion was applied until skin became red. In ear-point pressure group, simple ear-point pressure of 3 to 5 days made a course. In ear-point pressure plus moxibustion group, besides ear-point pressure moxibustion was added.

Results: Among 48 cases treated with simple ear-point pressure for 3 courses (15 days), 35 cases were cured making up 72.9%, 9 cases obviously improved (18.8%), 2 cases improved (4.1%), and 2 cases unimproved (4.15) with the total effective rate of 95.8%. In 49 cases treated with ear-point pressure plus moxibustion for 1 course (4-6 days), 46 cases were cured making up 95.9%, and 2 cases obviously improved (4.1%) with the total effective rate of 100%.

Conclusion: Compared with simple ear-point pressure, the therapy of ear-point pressure plus moxibustion provides not only better but also faster therapeutic effects. It is suitable for cough of deficiency and cold type, especially for those patients ineffective to antibiotics.

By Wu Qiaoling