Sneezing in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different sneezing patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Sneezing is a sudden, forceful, involuntary burst of air through the nose and mouth. This reflex is typically triggered by irritation in the nasal mucosa and serves to expel irritants and allergens from the nasal passages. Common causes include dust, pollen, animal dander, or other environmental allergens. While generally benign, frequent sneezing can be symptomatic of underlying conditions such as allergies, colds, or sinus infections, impacting daily activities and overall quality of life.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches sneezing as an indicator of external pathogenic factors invading the body, particularly through the Lung Channel which is believed to be most susceptible to external influences. TCM practitioners view symptoms as signs of underlying patterns of disharmony within the body, such as imbalances in the harmonious flow of Qi (vital energy) or the protective shield known as Wei Qi. Understanding these patterns is crucial, as they guide the customization of treatments to restore balance, not just alleviating symptoms but addressing their root causes.
TCM Patterns for Sneezing
Wind
Causes: Sneezing
Exterior Wind
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Wind phobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum, Itchy throat, Coughing, Muscle pain, Itchy skin
Greater Yang Attack of Wind
Sneezing
Along with: Slight aversion to cold, Wind phobia, Low grade fever, Mild sweating, Stiff neck, Occipital headache
Wind-Cold
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness, Congested nose, White and watery sputum
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum
Wind-Heat
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Copious thick yellow sputum, Headaches, Body pain, Thirst, Tonsil swelling
Cold
Causes: Sneezing
Damp-Cold
Sneezing
Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Chills, Abdominal pain, Cold extremities, Arthralgia, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness
Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Sneezing
Along with: Occipital headache, Aversion to cold, Low grade fever, Lack of sweating, Stiff neck, Nasal discharge, Shortness of breath
Wind-Cold
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness, Congested nose, White and watery sputum
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum
Heat
Causes: Sneezing
Wind-Heat
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Sneezing
Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Copious thick yellow sputum, Headaches, Body pain, Thirst, Tonsil swelling
Dampness
Causes: Sneezing
Damp-Cold
Sneezing
Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Chills, Abdominal pain, Cold extremities, Arthralgia, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness
Herbal Formulas for Sneezing
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address sneezing
Cong Chi Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior
- Induces sweating
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior
- Induces sweating
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Wei Ling Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes urination
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Damp-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Chills, Abdominal pain, Cold extremities...
Jing Fang Bai Du San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior by sweating
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
- Reduces pain
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Ma Huang Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Greater Yang Attack of Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Occipital headache, Aversion to cold, Low grade fever, Lack of sweating, Stiff neck, Nasal discharge...
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Induces sweating
- Dispels Dampness
- Expels Wind-Cold
- Clears Interior Heat
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Jia Wei Xiang Su San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Promote sweating
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Shi Shen Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases pathogens from the Exterior
- Regulates Qi
- Descends the Lung Qi
- Relieves coughing
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Jin Fei Cao San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Descends Lung Qi
- Transform Phlegm
- Stop cough and calms wheezing
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Wu Ji San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Smoothes the flow of Qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates the Blood
- Reduces Stagnation
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness...
Ge Gen Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior and muscle layer
- Forms Body Fluids
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Xin Yi San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Unblocks the nasal passages
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Zhi Sou San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Transforms Phlegm and stops coughing
- Disperses the Exterior
- Spreads the Lung Qi
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Yin Qiao San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind Heat
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Sang Ju Yin
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind
- Clears toxic-Heat
- Disperses Stagnation
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Vents rashes
- Clears
- Generates Body Fluids
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Xiao Feng San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Eliminates Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Cools the Blood
- Nourishes the Blood
- Relieves skin itchness
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Releases the Exterior
- Drains Heat
- Unblocks the bowels
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Bing Peng San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Dispels putrescence
- Reduces swellings and relieves pain
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Clears Wind-Heat
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clear Heat by releasing the Exterior
- Clears the Toxic-Heat
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache...
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge...
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Relieves headaches
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Exterior Wind
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Wind phobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum...
Gui Zhi Tang
Addresses these sneezing patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases pathogens from the muscle layer
- Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi
Addresses These Sneezing Pattern Variations
Greater Yang Attack of Wind
How it manifests:
Sneezing
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight aversion to cold, Wind phobia, Low grade fever, Mild sweating, Stiff neck, Occipital headache