Goiter according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Goiter factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Dizziness and four other symptoms
Recommended formula: Er Chen Tang
Symptoms: Difficulty swallowing Stuffiness of chest and diaphragm Feeling of a lump in the throat which comes and goes
Recommended formula: Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
In Chinese Medicine, goiter can be associated with two so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here goiter can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's goiter might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from goiter alone. For instance when goiter is caused by the pattern Damp-Cold Phlegm, patients also experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Damp-Cold Phlegm typically exhibit slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with goiter so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below three formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with goiter, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The two "patterns of disharmony" associated with goiter
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the key herb for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Damp-Cold Phlegm
Damp-Cold Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Er Chen Tang
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Dizziness Palpitations Focal distention Coughing with copious white sputum Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Goiter might be due to Damp-Cold Phlegm if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Damp-Cold Phlegm typically exhibit slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the key herb for Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a formula used for Qi-Phlegm
Qi-Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Symptoms: Difficulty swallowing Stuffiness of chest and diaphragm Feeling of a lump in the throat which comes and goes
Goiter might be due to Qi-Phlegm if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, feeling of a lump in the throat which comes and goes and stuffiness of chest and diaphragm. Similarly, patients with Qi-Phlegm typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The three herbal formulas that might help with goiter
Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Why might Er Chen Tang help with goiter?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Damp-Cold Phlegm, a pattern sometimes associated with goiter. If it looks like you might suffer from Damp-Cold Phlegm, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Regulates the flow of Qi, treats esophageal spasm. Clears Phlegm.
Why might Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang help with goiter?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Qi-Phlegm, a pattern sometimes associated with goiter. If it looks like you might suffer from Qi-Phlegm, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Source date: 1336 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity. Reduces swelling. Induces ulceration. Moves the Blood and dispels stasis .
Why might San Zhong Kui Jian Tang help with goiter?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with goiter. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
