Asthma in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different asthma patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. It is marked by recurring episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or early in the morning. Triggers for asthma attacks can include allergens, respiratory infections, physical activity, cold air, and stress. Effective management of asthma involves identifying and avoiding triggers, as well as using medications to control symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), asthma is seen as a manifestation of underlying patterns of disharmony within the body. TCM practitioners believe that imbalances in Qi, Phlegm accumulation, and Deficiencies in organ functions contribute to the development of asthma symptoms.
Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on treating the symptoms, TCM aims to address the root causes by identifying the specific pattern of disharmony. This holistic approach ensures that treatment is tailored to the individual, leading to more effective management of the condition.
TCM Patterns for Asthma
Phlegm
Thick, sticky pathological fluid that obstructs body functions and can manifest anywhere in the body
Causes: Asthma
Phlegm is both a pathological product and a pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It results from impaired fluid metabolism when the body's transformative functions fail, particularly affecting the Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys. Classical texts emphasize that "the Spleen is the source of phlegm production, while the Lungs are the storage vessel for phlegm."
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
Asthma
Along with: Coughing, Pale face, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down, Wheezing, Nausea, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum, Chest distension
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Asthma
Along with: Coughing, Edema, Stifling sensation in the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Asthma
Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum
Yang Deficiency
Insufficient yang qi causing coldness, fatigue, and diminished physiological functions throughout the body
Causes: Asthma
Yang Deficiency represents a fundamental weakness of the body's yang qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It manifests as an inability to warm the body, transform substances, and maintain normal physiological activities, resulting in various cold-type symptoms and functional decline.
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Asthma
Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Low sex drive, Pale and abudant urination, Constipation
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
Asthma
Along with: Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination, Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Cold hands, White and watery sputum, Coughing
Qi Rebellion
Qi flowing against its natural direction, typically surging upward when it should descend
Causes: Asthma
Qi Rebellion represents a fundamental disruption in the body's energy flow, where qi moves against its proper direction - like water flowing uphill or smoke sinking downward. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each organ has a natural directional flow for its qi, and when this flow reverses, it creates a cascade of symptoms that shoot upward through the body.
Rebellious Lung Qi
Asthma
Along with: Coughing, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches, Loss of consciousness
Rebellious Qi
Asthma
Along with: Hiccups, Belching, Nausea, Vomit, Coughing
Dampness
Heavy, sticky moisture that obstructs body functions and creates sluggishness
Causes: Asthma
Dampness manifests as swelling, bloating, a feeling of heaviness in the head and limbs, and digestive issues. It's like having waterlogged tissues that make everything feel heavy and slow. Common signs include a thick, greasy tongue coating, sticky mouth sensation, and stools that are difficult to flush.
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
Asthma
Along with: Coughing, Pale face, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down, Wheezing, Nausea, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum, Chest distension
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
Asthma
Along with: Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination, Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Cold hands, White and watery sputum, Coughing
Heat
Intense, ascending pathogenic force that consumes body fluids, disturbs the mind, and accelerates all physiological processes
Causes: Asthma
Heat is a major pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine that can arise from external invasion or internal generation. Heat has the characteristics of burning intensity, rising upward, consuming qi and fluids, and generating wind and disturbing blood. In TCM philosophy, normal physiological warmth is called "minor fire" (少火) which maintains life functions, while pathological heat is "major fire" (壮火) which damages the body.
Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
Asthma
Along with: Shortness of breath, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort, Cough with yellow or blood tinged sputum, Headaches, Dizziness, Flushed face, Thirst, Bitter taste in the mouth, Eye hyperemia, Scanty and dark urine, Constipation
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Asthma
Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum
Herbal Formulas for Asthma
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address asthma
Er Chen Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen)
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Pale face, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down...
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Arrests wheezing
- Stops coughing
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Cold
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Rebellious Lung Qi
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches, Loss of consciousness
Rebellious Qi
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hiccups, Belching, Nausea, Vomit, Coughing
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang
- Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Rebellious Qi
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hiccups, Belching, Nausea, Vomit, Coughing
Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Warms Yang
- Promotes water transformation
- Reduces water retention
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination...
Jin Fei Cao San
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Descends Lung Qi
- Transform Phlegm
- Stop cough and calms wheezing
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Rebellious Lung Qi
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches, Loss of consciousness
Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Stops hiccup
- Augments Qi
- Clears heat
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Rebellious Qi
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hiccups, Belching, Nausea, Vomit, Coughing
Ke Xie Fang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Fire
- Transforms Phlegm
- Preserves the Lungs
- Stops coughing and bleeding
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Shortness of breath, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort, Cough with yellow or blood tinged sputum, Headaches, Dizziness, Flushed face...
Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Transforms congested Fluids
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Edema, Stifling sensation in the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
- Calms wheezing by directing rebellious Qi downward
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Lung Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Clears Dampness
- Invigorates the Blood
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Directs Rebellious Qi downwards
- Stops coughing
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Unblocks the stool
- Benefits the throat
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi
- Augments the Kidneys
- Stops coughing
- Arrests wheezing
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Si Ni San
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates Liver and Spleen
- Eliminates Internal Heat
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Rebellious Qi
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hiccups, Belching, Nausea, Vomit, Coughing
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat...
Wu Ling San
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes urination,
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Promotes Qi transformation function
- Drains Dampness
- Clears edema
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination...
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Warms the Lungs
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Edema, Stifling sensation in the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Addresses these asthma patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi
- Expectorant, treats hiccups
Addresses These Asthma Pattern Variations
Rebellious Qi
How it manifests:
Asthma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hiccups, Belching, Nausea, Vomit, Coughing
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Bu Fei Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Stabilizes the Exterior
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines
- Relieves constipation
Ding Chuan Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Clears Lung Heat
- Descends Lung Qi
- Relief wheezing and cough
- Transforms Phlegm
Gui Zhi Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Releases pathogens from the muscle layer
- Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Jiu Xian San
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Secures the Lungs
- Stops coughing
- Augments Qi
- Nourishes Yin
You Gui Wan
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Lian Po Yin
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Dampness
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Ma Huang Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Mai Men Dong Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Clears dryness
- Moistens the Lungs
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Expands the chest
- Dissipates clumps
San Zi Yang Qin Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Directs the Qi downward
- Transforms Phlegm
- Reduces harbored food
Da Qing Long Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Promotes sweating
- Releases the Exterior
- Clears Interior Heat
Di Tan Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Removes Phlegm
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Tonifies Qi
Gun Tan Wan
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Drains Fire and Phlegm
Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Tonifes the Yang
- Releases the Exterior
Si Mo Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Expands the chest and dissipates clumping
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer)
- Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions
- Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold
Yu Ping Feng San
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Stabilizes the Exterior
- Stops sweating
Wei Jing Tang
Traditional formula for asthma
Main Actions
- Clears heat from the Lungs
- Transforms Phlegm
- Drives out Blood-Stagnation
- Discharges pus