Lily 14 is a treatment for throat and lung disorders that are characterized by yin deficiency and/or phlegm accumulation (the result is sticky phlegm, phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, or dark colored phlegm). Lily, ophiopogon, yu-chu, rehmannia, changium, glehnia, and scrophularia are included to nourish the yin; the other herbs are mainly used to resolve phlegm and open the lungs. the formula is related to the traditional prescriptions Lily Combination (Baihe Gujin Tang) and Adenophora and Ophiopogon Combination (Shashen Maidong Tang). Oroxylum moistens the lungs, controls cough, restores normal voice, regulates qi, and harmonizes the stomach; sterculia removes lung heat, opens lung qi, and moistens dryness. Traditional Chinese medical theory holds that the metal element, which rules the lungs the sinuses and affects the throat, is easily afflicted by dryness. Moisturizing the dryness, by nourishing the lung yin, will protect the respiratory system and treat many of its ailments. The characteristics of dryness include sticky sputum (no matter whether there is a large or small amount), dry throat (sometimes with throat swelling and vocal disorders), and tendency to be thirsty.