Case report: The chinese formula “Bai He Gu Jin Tang” with lily bulb relieves chronic respiratory disease in horses

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) in horses are very challenging to treat. The underlying mechanisms are found in inappropriate immune responses either to previous infectious agents or to dust or pollen. There are two kinds of chronic respiratory diseases: chronic obstructive bronchitis with increased cellular immune components and asthma and asthma-like disease with an elevated humoral response.

Clinical symptoms of CRD include chronic cough, often non-productive, and difficult breathing. In later stages there appears a heave line defined by the oblique abdominal muscles.

Bai He Gu Jin Tang is a well known formula in Traditional Chinese Medicine used in the treatment of lung diseases. It is composed of lung-protective ingredients (table 1) and is an ideal formula in combating CRD in horses.

Mick is a 15-year-old Connemara pony with intermediate to severe episodes of CRD during the last four years. He had been repeatedly treated with broncho-dilators and antibiotics with little or no effect.

During winter symptoms worsened and he was prone to infections of the upper airways. His general condition and nutritional state were good, his mucous membranes were slightly red but there was not any nasal discharge. He presented a mild to intermediate respiratory sound of the lungs and slightly labored breathing during intermediate work. Mick was given the Chinese Formula “Bai He Gu Jin Tang” over the next 3 months and was closely monitored every 4 weeks. Over a period of 4 months the cough symptoms improved until they finally stopped. His breathing also improved remarkably and it was possible to work him on a normal level. However, close monitoring will have to be continued to prevent a relapse into his previous state.

Tab. 1: Ingredients and their percentages of the Chinese Formula Bai He Gu Jin Tang

Name	Pin Yin	Percentage
Lilii, bulbus	Bai He	16
Ophiopogonis, rad	Mai Men Dong	13
Rehmannia viride, rad	Sheng Di Huang	12
Rehmannia praep., rad	Shu Di Huang	12
Paeonia alba, rad	Bai Shao	8
Fritillariae cirrhosae, bulbus	Chuan Bei Mu	8
Platycodi, rad	Jie Geng	8
Scrophulariae, rad	Xuan Shen	7
Glycyrrhizae, rad	Gan Cao	4