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.
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Fever Irritability Restlnessness and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan
Symptoms: Slight fever Mild chest pain Dry and scaly skin and one other symptom
Recommended formula: Wei Jing Tang
In Chinese Medicine, pertussis can be associated with five 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 pertussis can be caused by five different patterns.
To understand whether someone's pertussis 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 pertussis alone. For instance when pertussis is caused by the pattern Heat invading the Pericardium, patients also experience symptoms such as fever, irritability, restlnessness and general sensation of unease. Similarly, patients with Heat invading the Pericardium typically exhibit fine (Xi), rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a reddish-purple tongue.
We've listed below a description of the five patterns associated with pertussis 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 eleven formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with pertussis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
Recommended herbal formula: Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan
Symptoms: Fever Irritability Restlnessness Delirious speech Impaired consciousness General sensation of unease
Pertussis might be due to Heat invading the Pericardium if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as fever, irritability, restlnessness and general sensation of unease. Similarly, patients with Heat invading the Pericardium typically exhibit fine (Xi), rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a reddish-purple tongue.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Wei Jing Tang
Symptoms: Slight fever Mild chest pain Dry and scaly skin Cough with foul-smelling sputum
Pertussis might be due to Wind-Heat entering the Lungs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as cough with foul-smelling sputum, slight fever, mild chest pain and dry and scaly skin. Similarly, patients with Wind-Heat entering the Lungs typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formulas: Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, Bu Fei E Jiao Tang, Jiu Xian San, Mai Men Dong Tang
Symptoms: Insomnia Dry cough Dry mouth Tiredness Thin chest Weak voice Dry throat Malar flush Hoarse voice Night sweats Tickly throat Aversion to speak Hot palms and soles Thin body lacking strength Feeling of heat in the afternoon Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Exterior Heat and Dryness can invade the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. If it is not dealt with for a long time, it leads to Lung Yin Deficiency. Typical manifestations are dry cough, throat and mouth, aversion to speak as well as Hoarse voice.
Other factors can cause this pattern such as the Deficiency of Kidneys or Stomach Yin as well as prolonged Lung Qi Deficiency due to excessive smoking or use of voice.
Empty-Heat symptoms appear if the Lung Yin Deficiency condition is not treated for a while. Patients can feel malar flush, low-grade fever as well as Heat in the palms and chest, especially in the evenings.
Lung Yin Deficiency generally occurs in middle-aged and elderly patients as a result of overwork, irregular diet and smoking. However, it can also occur in a child after whooping cough.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formulas: Mai Men Dong Tang, Yi Wei Tang Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, Mai Men Dong Tang, Yi Wei Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Retching Dry mouth Hiccuping Dry throat Dry stools Constipation Poor appetite Slight thirst Bleeding gums Epigastic pain Epigastric pain No desire to eat Feeling of hunger Feeling of fullness Hot palms and soles Desire to drink in small sips Feeling of heat in the afternoon Slight feeling of fullness after eating
The Stomach is responsible for receiving foods and drinks, ripening them and sending them to the Spleen for further digestion. Therefore, the Stomach is the origin of Body Fluids. It is also an Organ that likes Cold and Dampness which are both Yin characteristics. Stomach Yin Deficiency harms this functions and cause Dryness and Heat. As a result, symptoms such as thirst, dry stools, dry mouth and dry throat appear. It also cause the tongue coating to fall off.
Due to lack of Body Fluids, there is constipation with dry stools. Retching and hiccups may also occur as Stomach's Qi downward function is impaired.
If the Yin Deficiency situation last for a long period of time, it can potentially develop Empty-Heat. It's typical manifestations are often quite mild and appears only in the afternoon or evening, such the mild fever or feeling of heat. The patients experiences thirst or hunger but there is no desire to drink or eat, or they only drink in small sips. They also prefer warm liquids and their appetite is poor.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) is the key herb for Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Soggy (Ru), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Symptoms: Palpitations Dizziness or vertigo
Pertussis might be due to Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as palpitations and dizziness or vertigo. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium typically exhibit slippery (Hua), soggy (Ru) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thick white coating.
The top herbs in Mai Men Dong Tang are Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong), Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Rice Sprouts (Jing Mi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Stomach. Generates Body Fluids. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Lung Yin Deficiency and Stomach Yin Deficiency which are sometimes associated with pertussis. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan are Ox Gallstones (Niu Huang), Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) and Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin)
Source date: 1568 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity. Calms the Mind. Opens up the Orifices.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat invading the Pericardium, a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat invading the Pericardium, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Wei Jing Tang are Common Reed Rhizomes (Lu Gen), Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren) and Wax Gourd Seeds (Dong Gua Zi)
Source date: 627 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat from the Lungs. Transforms Phlegm. Drives out Blood-Stagnation. Discharges pus.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Wind-Heat entering the Lungs, a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from Wind-Heat entering the Lungs, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium, a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Sang Xing Tang are Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) and Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren)
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang are Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Source date: 1658 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears dryness. Moistens the Lungs.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) and Wild Ginger (Xi Xin)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Tonifes the Yang. Releases the Exterior.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Xie Bai San are Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), Goji Tree Root Bark (Di Gu Pi) and Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Drains Heat from the Lungs . Calms wheezing.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Jiu Xian San are Poppy Capsules (Ying Su Ke), Chinese Plums (Wu Mei) and Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Source date: Yuan dynasty
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Zhi Sou San are Aster Roots (Zi Wan), Stemona Roots (Bai Bu) and Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Transforms Phlegm and stops coughing. Disperses the Exterior. Spreads the Lung Qi.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Shi Gao Tang are Gypsum (Shi Gao), Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Fermented Soybeans (Dan Dou Chi)
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity. Releases the Exterior.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with pertussis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).