Itchy Throat in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different itchy throat patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
An itchy throat is an irritating sensation within the throat that prompts a desire to cough or clear one's throat. It's a common symptom that many people experience, often acting as a precursor to other symptoms like coughing and sneezing. While usually not indicative of a severe condition, an itchy throat can be a nuisance, leading to discomfort and disruption of daily activities.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches an itchy throat as a sign of imbalance within the body's internal environment. According to TCM, the throat is a crossroads of pathways, and its irritation can be the result of invading external factors like Wind or Heat, or an internal condition such as a Deficiency of Yin. TCM looks beyond the symptom to the systemic disharmony, seeking to restore equilibrium through various modalities like herbal medicine and acupuncture.
TCM Patterns for Itchy Throat
Wind
Causes: Itchy throat
Exterior Wind
Itchy throat
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Wind phobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum, Sneezing, Coughing, Muscle pain, Itchy skin
Wind-Cold
Itchy throat
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
Itchy throat
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum
Wind-Heat
Itchy throat
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm
Cold
Causes: Itchy throat
Wind-Cold
Itchy throat
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
Itchy throat
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum
Phlegm
Causes: Itchy throat
Phlegm-Fluids in the Lungs
Itchy throat
Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Shortness of breath, Gurgling noise in the chest, Stifling sensation in the chest, Feeling of heaviness, Dizziness, Chills, Cought with sticky phlegm
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Tickly throat
Lung Yin Deficiency
Tickly throat
Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Heat
Causes: Itchy throat
Wind-Heat
Itchy throat
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm
Herbal Formulas for Itchy Throat
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address itchy throat
Zhi Sou San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Transforms Phlegm and stops coughing
- Disperses the Exterior
- Spreads the Lung Qi
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, White and watery sputum, Shortness of breath, Gurgling noise in the chest, Stifling sensation in the chest, Feeling of heaviness...
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing...
Cong Chi Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior
- Induces sweating
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior
- Induces sweating
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Jing Fang Bai Du San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior by sweating
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
- Reduces pain
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Ma Huang Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing...
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Induces sweating
- Dispels Dampness
- Expels Wind-Cold
- Clears Interior Heat
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Jia Wei Xiang Su San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Promote sweating
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Shi Shen Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases pathogens from the Exterior
- Regulates Qi
- Descends the Lung Qi
- Relieves coughing
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Jin Fei Cao San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Descends Lung Qi
- Transform Phlegm
- Stop cough and calms wheezing
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wu Ji San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Smoothes the flow of Qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates the Blood
- Reduces Stagnation
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Ge Gen Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior and muscle layer
- Forms Body Fluids
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing...
Xin Yi San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Unblocks the nasal passages
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing...
Yin Qiao San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind Heat
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Sang Ju Yin
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind
- Clears toxic-Heat
- Disperses Stagnation
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Vents rashes
- Clears
- Generates Body Fluids
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Xiao Feng San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Eliminates Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Nourishes the Blood
- Relieves skin itchness
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Releases the Exterior
- Drains Heat
- Unblocks the bowels
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Bing Peng San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Dispels putrescence
- Reduces swellings and relieves pain
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Clears Wind-Heat
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Clear Heat by releasing the Exterior
- Clears the Toxic-Heat
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Relieves headaches
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Exterior Wind
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Wind phobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum...
Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Transforms congested Fluids
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids in the Lungs
How it manifests:
Itchy throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, White and watery sputum, Shortness of breath, Gurgling noise in the chest, Stifling sensation in the chest, Feeling of heaviness...
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Improves throat
- Resolves toxicity
- Clears the Lungs
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tickly throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears dryness
- Moistens the Lungs
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tickly throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Controls coughing
- Stops bleeding
- Tonifies the Lungs
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tickly throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Jiu Xian San
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Secures the Lungs
- Stops coughing
- Augments Qi
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tickly throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these itchy throat patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Itchy Throat Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Tickly throat
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest