Bronchitis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different bronchitis patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Bronchitis is a respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to and from the lungs. This inflammation causes the bronchial tubes to swell and produce excess mucus, leading to narrowed airways and difficulty breathing. Bronchitis can be acute, lasting a few weeks and often resulting from viral infections, or chronic, persisting for months or years and typically associated with long-term irritation of the airways.
Common symptoms include persistent cough, often with mucus production, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Acute bronchitis usually resolves on its own, while chronic bronchitis, often linked to smoking or prolonged exposure to irritants, requires ongoing management and can significantly impact quality of life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches bronchitis through the lens of pattern diagnosis, a fundamental concept that distinguishes it from Western medical approaches. In TCM, bronchitis is seen as a result of disharmony within the body's systems, particularly involving the Lung Channel. This holistic view considers not just the symptoms of cough and inflammation, but how they relate to overall bodily functions, energy flow, and organ interactions.
Identifying the correct pattern is crucial because it guides the entire treatment strategy. For bronchitis, patterns might involve external pathogenic factors like Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat invading the Lungs, or internal imbalances such as Lung Yin Deficiency or Phlegm-Heat accumulation. By addressing these root patterns, TCM aims to restore balance and improve respiratory function more comprehensively than treating the symptoms in isolation.
Herbal Formulas for Bronchitis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address bronchitis
Jing Fang Bai Du San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior by sweating
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
- Reduces pain
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Ren Shen Bai Du San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
Sang Ju Yin
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness
Wei Jing Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears heat from the Lungs
- Transforms Phlegm
- Drives out Blood-Stagnation
- Discharges pus
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Warms the Lungs
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Expands the chest
- Dissipates clumps
Xie Bai San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Drains Heat from the Lungs
- Calms wheezing
Xing Su San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears Dry-Cold
- Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough
- Transforms thin mucus
Yin Qiao San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind Heat
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
Zhi Sou San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Transforms Phlegm and stops coughing
- Disperses the Exterior
- Spreads the Lung Qi
Zhi Zi Chi Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Alleviates restlessness and irritability
Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Moistens the Lungs
- Clears Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Resolve Phlegm
- Stop coughing
Di Tan Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Removes Phlegm
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Tonifies Qi
Gun Tan Wan
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Drains Fire and Phlegm
Jin Fei Cao San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Descends Lung Qi
- Transform Phlegm
- Stop cough and calms wheezing
Mai Men Dong Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears dryness
- Moistens the Lungs
Sang Xing Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears and disperses Dryness
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang
- Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Regulates the flow of Qi,
- Clears Phlegm
- Treats esophageal spasm
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Dissipates clumps
- Relieves Stagnation
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Controls coughing
- Stops bleeding
- Tonifies the Lungs
Bu Fei Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Stabilizes the Exterior
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Ding Chuan Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears Lung Heat
- Descends Lung Qi
- Relief wheezing and cough
- Transforms Phlegm
Er Chen Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen)
Fu Zi Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Warms the Meridians
- Assists the Yang
- Dispels Cold
- Transforms Dampness
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang
Jiu Xian San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Secures the Lungs
- Stops coughing
- Augments Qi
- Nourishes Yin
Li Zhong Wan
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Transforms congested Fluids
Ma Huang Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Tonifes the Yang
- Releases the Exterior
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Directs Rebellious Qi downwards
- Stops coughing
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi
- Augments the Kidneys
- Stops coughing
- Arrests wheezing
San Zi Yang Qin Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Directs the Qi downward
- Transforms Phlegm
- Reduces harbored food
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops diarrhea
Sheng Mai San
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Augments Qi
- Supplies the Yin
- Stops excessive sweating
- Generates Body Fluids
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Arrests wheezing
- Stops coughing
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Cold
Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Spreads Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
- Unblocks the orifices (specifically the nose)
Zuo Gui Wan
Traditional formula for bronchitis
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow