Nasal Discharge in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different nasal discharge patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Nasal discharge, commonly referred to as a runny nose, involves the excessive secretion of fluids by the nasal tissues and blood vessels. This symptom can manifest as a clear, thin fluid or a thick, colored mucus, varying significantly based on the underlying cause. Causes range from infections such as the common cold or flu to allergies and sinusitis. Chronic or recurrent cases can significantly affect quality of life, leading to discomfort and social embarrassment. Understanding the nature and triggers of nasal discharge is essential for effective management and treatment.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees nasal discharge as a symptom indicating imbalance within the body’s energetic pathways. In TCM, this condition is often associated with the invasion of pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, or Heat, disrupting the normal functions of Qi—the vital life force.
The principle is that treatment should not only aim to stop the discharge but also to correct the energetic imbalances causing it. Identifying the specific TCM pattern underlying the symptom is crucial, as it guides the choice of treatment to restore harmony and health.
TCM Patterns for Nasal Discharge
Wind
Causes: Runny nose
Exterior Wind
Runny nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Wind phobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum, Itchy throat, Sneezing, Coughing, Muscle pain, Itchy skin
Wind-Cold
Runny nose
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
Runny nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum
Wind-Heat
Runny nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Runny nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Copious thick yellow sputum, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, Thirst, Tonsil swelling
Cold
Causes: Runny nose
Damp-Cold
Runny nose
Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain, Cold extremities, Arthralgia, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness
Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Runny nose
Along with: Occipital headache, Aversion to cold, Low grade fever, Lack of sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing, Nasal discharge, Shortness of breath
Wind-Cold
Runny nose
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
Runny nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum
Heat
Causes: Runny nose, Thick nasal discharge
Wind-Heat
Runny nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Runny nose
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Copious thick yellow sputum, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, Thirst, Tonsil swelling
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Thick nasal discharge
Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth
Dampness
Causes: Runny nose, Thick nasal discharge
Damp-Cold
Runny nose
Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain, Cold extremities, Arthralgia, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Thick nasal discharge
Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth
Herbal Formulas for Nasal Discharge
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address nasal discharge
Cong Chi Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior
- Induces sweating
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior
- Induces sweating
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Wei Ling Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes urination
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Damp-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain...
Jing Fang Bai Du San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior by sweating
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
- Reduces pain
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Lian Po Yin
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Dampness
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it manifests:
Thick nasal discharge
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Dry mouth without desire to drink...
Ma Huang Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Greater Yang Attack of Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Occipital headache, Aversion to cold, Low grade fever, Lack of sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing...
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Induces sweating
- Dispels Dampness
- Expels Wind-Cold
- Clears Interior Heat
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Separates and reduces alcohol-dampness
- Warms the Middle
- Strengthens the Spleen
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it manifests:
Thick nasal discharge
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Dry mouth without desire to drink...
Jia Wei Xiang Su San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Promote sweating
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Shi Shen Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases pathogens from the Exterior
- Regulates Qi
- Descends the Lung Qi
- Relieves coughing
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Jin Fei Cao San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Descends Lung Qi
- Transform Phlegm
- Stop cough and calms wheezing
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Wu Ji San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Smoothes the flow of Qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates the Blood
- Reduces Stagnation
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache...
Ge Gen Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior and muscle layer
- Forms Body Fluids
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Xin Yi San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Unblocks the nasal passages
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Zhi Sou San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Transforms Phlegm and stops coughing
- Disperses the Exterior
- Spreads the Lung Qi
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Yin Qiao San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind Heat
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Sang Ju Yin
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind
- Clears toxic-Heat
- Disperses Stagnation
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Vents rashes
- Clears
- Generates Body Fluids
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Xiao Feng San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Eliminates Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Nourishes the Blood
- Relieves skin itchness
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Releases the Exterior
- Drains Heat
- Unblocks the bowels
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Bing Peng San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Dispels putrescence
- Reduces swellings and relieves pain
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Clears Wind-Heat
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Clear Heat by releasing the Exterior
- Clears the Toxic-Heat
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness...
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Addresses these nasal discharge patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Relieves headaches
Addresses These Nasal Discharge Pattern Variations
Exterior Wind
How it manifests:
Runny nose
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Wind phobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum...