Dry Mouth in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different dry mouth patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

13
TCM Patterns
64
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 13 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each dry mouth pattern
Classical remedies 64 herbal formulas documented

From the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, dry mouth isn't just a symptom—it's a signal of underlying disharmony within the body. TCM posits that health is a state of balance among internal and external influences.

When disharmony occurs—whether from external factors like climate or internal issues like emotional stress—it can affect the body's Qi, or vital energy. Identifying the specific pattern of imbalance causing dry mouth is crucial to restoring harmony and health.

TCM Patterns for Dry Mouth

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Dry mouth

11 variations documented
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache,

Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Hot palms and soles,

Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Night dry coughing, Dry throat, Emaciation, Exertional dyspnea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation,

Stomach and Spleen Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Loss of appetite, Preference for sipping, Dry stools, Dry lips, Nausea, Generalized fatigue,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Loss of appetite, Preference for sipping, Slight abdominal distension after eating

Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Sore knees, Lower back pain, Knee weakness, Dry tongue, Dizziness, Blurry vision,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Morning sickness

Heat

Causes: Dry mouth

11 variations documented
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose,

Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Hot palms and soles,

Heat in the Blood
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia,

Damp-Heat
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Phlegm-Heat
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression

Stomach Heat or Fire
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Upper abdominal burning pain, Excessive thirst, Craving for cold beverages, Restlessness, Dry stools, Mouth ulcers,

Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Irritability, Spontaneous sweat, Eye hyperemia, Palpitations, Lower abdominal oppression, Painful urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Morning sickness

Dryness

Causes: Dry mouth

5 variations documented
Dry-Cold
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Fever, Headaches, Aversion to cold, Skin dryness, Lack of sweating, Dry throat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose,

Dry-Wind
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry throat, Dry cough,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Large Intestine Dryness
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Dry stools, Dry throat, Emaciation, Dizziness, Bad breath

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dryness in Large Intestine
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Constipation, Thirst, Dry stools, Dry throat, Poor constitution, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Dry mouth

4 variations documented
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Irritability, Spontaneous sweat, Eye hyperemia, Palpitations, Lower abdominal oppression, Painful urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Morning sickness

Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Edema, Feeling of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary dysfunction, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney infection,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Dry mouth

3 variations documented
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression,

Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry throat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Dry mouth

3 variations documented
Damp-Heat
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Scanty and yellow urine, Lower back pain, Weakness of lower extremities, Red and swollen feet, Swollen knee, Thick greasy vaginal secretions,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Edema, Feeling of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary dysfunction, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney infection,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Dry mouth

2 variations documented
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Irritability, Spontaneous sweat, Eye hyperemia, Palpitations, Lower abdominal oppression, Painful urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Belching, Abdominal distention, Upper abdominal distension, Depression, Irritability, Loss of appetite,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Dry mouth

2 variations documented
Dry-Cold
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Fever, Headaches, Aversion to cold, Skin dryness, Lack of sweating, Dry throat,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Morning sickness

Essence Deficiency

Causes: Dry mouth

1 variation documented
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression,

Body Fluids Deficiency

Causes: Dry mouth

1 variation documented
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat,

Yang Excess

Causes: Dry mouth

1 variation documented
Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry throat,

Phlegm

Causes: Dry mouth

1 variation documented
Phlegm-Heat
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression

Wind

Causes: Dry mouth

1 variation documented
Dry-Wind
How it presents with dry mouth

Dry mouth

Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry throat, Dry cough,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Dry Mouth

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dry mouth

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency Heat

Xing Su San

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Body Fluids Deficiency Dryness Cold Heat

Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat Qi Deficiency Cold

Er Chen Tang

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat Qi Deficiency Cold

Mai Men Dong Tang

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat Qi Deficiency Cold

Dang Gui Di Huang Yin

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Heat Dryness Yin Deficiency

He Che Da Zao Wan

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Sang Xing Tang

Addresses these dry mouth patterns:

Heat Dryness Wind