Dry Cough in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different dry cough patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Dry cough, commonly referred to as a nonproductive or hacking cough, is a type of cough where no phlegm or mucus is produced. It's characterized by irritation in the throat and respiratory tract, leading to a persistent and often uncomfortable coughing sensation. Unlike a wet cough, a dry cough does not clear any substances from the respiratory tract and can be particularly bothersome due to its unrelenting nature.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives dry cough as an imbalance within the body’s energy system. TCM theory suggests that a dry cough results from disruptions in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Yin (nourishing fluids), often involving the lungs.
According to TCM, treating a dry cough involves more than just addressing the symptom; it requires identifying and correcting the underlying pattern of disharmony causing the cough.
TCM Patterns for Dry Cough
Dryness
Causes: Dry cough, Hacking cough
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Dry cough
Along with: Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry throat, Aversion to cold, Dry mouth
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
Dry cough
Along with: Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Dry throat, Wheezing, Pale face
Dry-Wind
Dry cough
Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Sore throat, Dry tongue
Lung Dryness
Dry cough
Along with: Dry throat, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice, Thirst
Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency
Hacking cough
Along with: Dry throat, Thirst, Fever, Scanty sputum, Dry cough, Red tongue
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
Dry cough
Along with: Headaches, Chills without sweating, Congested nose, Dry throat, Sputum, Common cold, Bronchitis, Emphysema, Upper respiratory tract infections
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Dry cough, Hacking cough
Lung Yin Deficiency
Dry cough
Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Yin Deficiency
Dry cough
Along with: Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy, Scanty and dark urine, Dry stools, Dry mouth and throat at night, Nocturnal emission, Pain relieved by pressure and cold, Preference for sipping
Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency
Hacking cough
Along with: Dry throat, Thirst, Fever, Scanty sputum, Dry cough, Red tongue
Phlegm
Causes: Dry cough
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
Dry cough
Along with: Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Dry throat, Wheezing, Pale face
Qi-Phlegm
Dry cough
Along with: Globus sensation, Dysphagia, Upper abdominal oppression, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression
Heat
Causes: Dry cough
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Dry cough
Along with: Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry throat, Aversion to cold, Dry mouth
Half Exterior Half Interior
Dry cough
Along with: Chest distension, Bitter taste in the mouth, Anxiety, Restlessness, Vomit, Loss of appetite, Dizziness, Blurry vision
Body Fluids Deficiency
Causes: Dry cough
Body Fluids Deficiency
Dry cough
Along with: Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat, Dry stools
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Dry cough
Qi-Phlegm
Dry cough
Along with: Globus sensation, Dysphagia, Upper abdominal oppression, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression
Wind
Causes: Dry cough
Dry-Wind
Dry cough
Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Sore throat, Dry tongue
Dampness
Causes: Dry cough
Lung Dryness
Dry cough
Along with: Dry throat, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice, Thirst
Cold
Causes: Dry cough
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
Dry cough
Along with: Headaches, Chills without sweating, Congested nose, Dry throat, Sputum, Common cold, Bronchitis, Emphysema, Upper respiratory tract infections
Herbal Formulas for Dry Cough
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dry cough
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat...
Lung Dryness
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Dry throat, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice, Thirst
Xing Su San
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Dry-Cold
- Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough
- Transforms thin mucus
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat...
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose...
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Headaches, Chills without sweating, Congested nose, Dry throat, Sputum, Common cold...
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears dryness
- Moistens the Lungs
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose...
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Sang Xing Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears and disperses Dryness
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose...
Dry-Wind
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat...
Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Moistens the Lungs
- Clears Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Resolve Phlegm
- Stop coughing
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness...
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates the flow of Qi,
- Clears Phlegm
- Treats esophageal spasm
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Dissipates clumps
- Relieves Stagnation
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Qi-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Globus sensation, Dysphagia, Upper abdominal oppression, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression
Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hacking cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Dry throat, Thirst, Fever, Scanty sputum, Dry cough, Red tongue
Zeng Ye Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and Essence
- Lubricates Dryness
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat...
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
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
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Half Exterior Half Interior
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Bitter taste in the mouth, Anxiety, Restlessness, Vomit, Loss of appetite...
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Improves throat
- Resolves toxicity
- Clears the Lungs
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Controls coughing
- Stops bleeding
- Tonifies the Lungs
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Jiu Xian San
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Secures the Lungs
- Stops coughing
- Augments Qi
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy...
Mu Li San
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Inhibits sweating
- Stabilizes the exterior
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy...
Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang
Addresses these dry cough patterns:
Main Actions
- Generates Body Fluids
- Nourishes the Yin
- Unblocks the bowels
- Drains Heat
Addresses These Dry Cough Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry cough
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy...