Dry Throat in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different dry throat patterns according to TCM theory

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14
TCM Patterns
54
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 14 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each dry throat pattern
Classical remedies 54 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets dry throat as a sign of imbalance within the body's internal landscape. It's not simply a lack of moisture, but a symptom that reveals underlying disharmonies such as Yin Deficiency or Dryness attacking the body. TCM looks to the root of the symptom, seeking to restore the delicate balance of internal energies and bodily fluids.

TCM Patterns for Dry Throat

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Dry throat

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

Dry throat

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 throat

Dry throat

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

Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Thirst, Fever, Scanty sputum, Dry cough, Red tongue

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

Dry throat

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

Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Wheezing, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

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

Dry throat

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

Dryness

Causes: Dry throat

9 variations documented
Dry-Cold
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

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

Dry throat

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

Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dry-Wind
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

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

Dry throat

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Lung Dryness
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Dry cough, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice, Thirst

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Thirst, Fever, Scanty sputum, Dry cough, Red tongue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Headaches, Chills without sweating, Congested nose, Sputum, Dry cough, Common cold,

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

Dry throat

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Heat

Causes: Dry throat

8 variations documented
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Heat in the Blood
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Gallbladder Heat
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Bitter taste in the mouth, Thirst, Hypochondriac pain, Nausea, Upper abdominal fullness

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

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

Dry throat

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
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Wheezing, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis,

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

Dry throat

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

Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Dry throat

4 variations documented
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs,

Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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 throat

Dry throat

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 throat

Dry throat

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Dry throat

4 variations documented
Dry-Wind
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Interior Wind
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder,

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs,

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension,

Yang Excess

Causes: Dry throat

2 variations documented
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension,

Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Dampness

Causes: Dry throat

2 variations documented
Lung Dryness
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Dry cough, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice, Thirst

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Cold

Causes: Dry throat

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

Dry throat

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Headaches, Chills without sweating, Congested nose, Sputum, Dry cough, Common cold,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Essence Deficiency

Causes: Dry throat

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

Dry throat

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

Body Fluids Deficiency

Causes: Dry throat

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

Dry throat

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

Phlegm

Causes: Dry throat

1 variation documented
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Dry throat

1 variation documented
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Dry throat

1 variation documented
Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

Along with: Belching, Abdominal distention, Upper abdominal distension, Depression, Irritability, Dry mouth,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Dry throat

1 variation documented
Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with dry throat

Dry throat

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Dry Throat

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dry throat

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency Heat Wind Yang Excess

Bai He Gu Jin Tang

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat Body Fluids Deficiency Dryness Dampness

Xing Su San

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Body Fluids Deficiency Dryness Cold Heat

Dang Gui Di Huang Yin

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Dryness Heat Yin Deficiency

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Wind Yin Deficiency Yang Excess

Sang Xing Tang

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Dryness Heat Wind

E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Wind Blood Deficiency Yang Excess

Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

Addresses these dry throat patterns:

Wind Yin Deficiency Yang Excess