Dry Nose in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different dry nose patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Dry nose, a common discomfort experienced by many, involves a lack of moisture in the nasal passages. This condition can lead to sensations of dryness in the nostrils, nasal cavity, and even deeper within the respiratory tract. Factors contributing to dry nose range from environmental influences such as low humidity and air conditioning to health-related issues like dehydration or the side effects of certain medications. Chronic dryness can result in irritation, nasal congestion, or increased susceptibility to infections, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing its underlying causes.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views dry nose as a symptom of imbalance within the body’s internal landscape, particularly related to the harmony of Yin and Yang. According to TCM, a dry nose is often a sign of Deficient Yin or an excess of Yang, manifesting as insufficient moisture and cooling fluids in the body. This imbalance can be triggered by external factors like climatic dryness or internal issues such as Heat or Body Fluid deficiency. Identifying the specific disharmony is essential in TCM, as treatments are tailored to correct these imbalances and restore the body’s natural moistening and cooling functions.
TCM Patterns for Dry Nose
Dryness
Causes: Dry nose
Dry-Cold
Dry nose
Along with: Fever, Headaches, Aversion to cold, Skin dryness, Lack of sweating, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Coughing, Scanty sputum
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Dry nose
Along with: Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry throat, Dry cough, Aversion to cold, Dry mouth
Dry-Wind
Dry nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Dry cough, Sore throat, Dry tongue
Cold
Causes: Dry nose, Dry nasal passages
Dry-Cold
Dry nose
Along with: Fever, Headaches, Aversion to cold, Skin dryness, Lack of sweating, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Coughing, Scanty sputum
Wind Cold with Internal Heat
Dry nasal passages
Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Dry nose, Thirst, Irritability, Insomnia, Cough of blood, Mottled skin
Heat
Causes: Dry nose, Dry nasal passages
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Dry nose
Along with: Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry throat, Dry cough, Aversion to cold, Dry mouth
Wind Cold with Internal Heat
Dry nasal passages
Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Dry nose, Thirst, Irritability, Insomnia, Cough of blood, Mottled skin
Wind
Causes: Dry nose, Dry nasal passages
Dry-Wind
Dry nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Dry cough, Sore throat, Dry tongue
Wind Cold with Internal Heat
Dry nasal passages
Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Dry nose, Thirst, Irritability, Insomnia, Cough of blood, Mottled skin
Body Fluids Deficiency
Causes: Dry nose
Body Fluids Deficiency
Dry nose
Along with: Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat, Dry stools
Herbal Formulas for Dry Nose
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dry nose
Xing Su San
Addresses these dry nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Dry-Cold
- Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough
- Transforms thin mucus
Addresses These Dry Nose Pattern Variations
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat...
Dry-Cold
How it manifests:
Dry nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Headaches, Aversion to cold, Skin dryness, Lack of sweating, Dry mouth...
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it manifests:
Dry nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry throat...
Sang Xing Tang
Addresses these dry nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears and disperses Dryness
Addresses These Dry Nose Pattern Variations
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it manifests:
Dry nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry throat...
Dry-Wind
How it manifests:
Dry nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Dry cough...
Shi Gao Tang
Addresses these dry nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Dry Nose Pattern Variations
Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it manifests:
Dry nasal passages
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness...
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Addresses these dry nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears dryness
- Moistens the Lungs
Addresses These Dry Nose Pattern Variations
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it manifests:
Dry nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry throat...
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these dry nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Dry Nose Pattern Variations
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat...
Zeng Ye Tang
Addresses these dry nose patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and Essence
- Lubricates Dryness
Addresses These Dry Nose Pattern Variations
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry tongue, Dry throat...