Congested Nose in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different congested nose patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Nasal congestion, commonly referred to as a congested nose, involves the blockage of the nasal passages typically due to inflammation of the blood vessels in the sinuses. This inflammation can be triggered by infections such as the common cold, sinusitis, or allergies. When congested, the nose may feel stuffed or blocked, making breathing through the nose difficult. This condition not only affects breathing but can also impair sleep and sense of smell. Understanding the underlying causes of nasal congestion is crucial for effective treatment and relief.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers nasal congestion not merely as a localized irritation but as a manifestation of broader imbalances within the body’s energetic systems. According to TCM, congestion often results from the invasion of pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, or Dampness that disrupt the normal flow of Qi and Blood.
These disruptions can cause an accumulation of these elements in the nasal passages. Identifying the precise pattern of disharmony is vital, as it guides the approach to treatment, focusing on restoring balance and enhancing the flow of Qi and Blood to alleviate symptoms.
TCM Patterns for Congested Nose
Wind
Causes: Nasal congestion, Blocked nose
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Nasal congestion
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Focal distention, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Wind-Cold
Blocked nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness, Congested nose, White and watery sputum
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
Blocked nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum
Wind-Heat
Blocked nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Blocked nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Copious thick yellow sputum, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, Thirst, Tonsil swelling
Cold
Causes: Nasal congestion, Blocked nose, Stuffy nose
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Nasal congestion
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Focal distention, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Wind-Cold
Blocked nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness, Congested nose, White and watery sputum
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
Blocked nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
Stuffy nose
Along with: Headaches, Chills without sweating, Congested nose, Dry throat, Sputum, Dry cough, Common cold, Bronchitis, Emphysema, Upper respiratory tract infections
Heat
Causes: Blocked nose
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Blocked nose
Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth
Wind-Heat
Blocked nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Blocked nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Copious thick yellow sputum, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, Thirst, Tonsil swelling
Dampness
Causes: Nasal congestion, Blocked nose
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Nasal congestion
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Focal distention, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Blocked nose
Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Nasal congestion
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
Nasal congestion
Along with: High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities, Focal distention, Chest distension, Congested nose, Noisy breathing, Coughing
Dryness
Causes: Stuffy nose
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
Stuffy nose
Along with: Headaches, Chills without sweating, Congested nose, Dry throat, Sputum, Dry cough, Common cold, Bronchitis, Emphysema, Upper respiratory tract infections
Herbal Formulas for Congested Nose
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address congested nose
Ren Shen Bai Du San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Nasal congestion
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Fever without perspiration, Headaches, Neck pain, Stiff neck, Painful extremities...
Cong Chi Tang
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior
- Induces sweating
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior
- Induces sweating
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Xin Yi San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Unblocks the nasal passages
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Lian Po Yin
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Dampness
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge...
Xing Su San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Dry-Cold
- Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough
- Transforms thin mucus
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Stuffy nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Headaches, Chills without sweating, Congested nose, Dry throat, Sputum, Dry cough...
Jing Fang Bai Du San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior by sweating
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
- Reduces pain
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Separates and reduces alcohol-dampness
- Warms the Middle
- Strengthens the Spleen
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge...
Ma Huang Tang
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Induces sweating
- Dispels Dampness
- Expels Wind-Cold
- Clears Interior Heat
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Jia Wei Xiang Su San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Promote sweating
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Shi Shen Tang
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases pathogens from the Exterior
- Regulates Qi
- Descends the Lung Qi
- Relieves coughing
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Jin Fei Cao San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Descends Lung Qi
- Transform Phlegm
- Stop cough and calms wheezing
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wu Ji San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Smoothes the flow of Qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates the Blood
- Reduces Stagnation
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Ge Gen Tang
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior and muscle layer
- Forms Body Fluids
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Zhi Sou San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Transforms Phlegm and stops coughing
- Disperses the Exterior
- Spreads the Lung Qi
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Yin Qiao San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind Heat
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Sang Ju Yin
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind
- Clears toxic-Heat
- Disperses Stagnation
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Vents rashes
- Clears
- Generates Body Fluids
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Xiao Feng San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Eliminates Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Nourishes the Blood
- Relieves skin itchness
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Releases the Exterior
- Drains Heat
- Unblocks the bowels
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Bing Peng San
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Dispels putrescence
- Reduces swellings and relieves pain
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Clears Wind-Heat
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Addresses these congested nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clear Heat by releasing the Exterior
- Clears the Toxic-Heat
Addresses These Congested Nose Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Blocked nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...