Pleurisy 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.
Pleurisy factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Clump Phlegm Chest pain and seven other symptoms
Recommended formula: Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation
Symptoms: Coughing Dizziness Headaches and four other symptoms
Recommended formula: Xiao Chai Hu Tang
In Chinese Medicine, pleurisy can be associated with three 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 pleurisy can be caused by three different patterns.
To understand whether someone's pleurisy 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 pleurisy alone. For instance when pleurisy is caused by the pattern Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, patients also experience symptoms such as constipation, bitter taste in the mouth, coughing of copious thick yellow sputum and chest pain. Similarly, patients with Phlegm Heat in the Lungs typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with sticky coating, yellow coating.
We've listed below a description of the three patterns associated with pleurisy 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 pleurisy, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with pleurisy
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Heat in the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Symptoms: Clump Phlegm Chest pain Constipation Epigastric pain Clumping in the chest Bitter taste in the mouth Epigastric focal distention Focal distention of the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum
Pleurisy might be due to Phlegm Heat in the Lungs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as constipation, bitter taste in the mouth, coughing of copious thick yellow sputum and chest pain. Similarly, patients with Phlegm Heat in the Lungs typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with sticky coating, yellow coating.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Tight (Jin)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Symptoms: Coughing Dizziness Headaches Depression Moving pain Listlessness Hypochondrium fullness
Pleurisy might be due to Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as coughing, hypochondrium fullness, dizziness and headaches. Similarly, patients with Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation typically exhibit empty (Xu) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a normal (light red), pale tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation here
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) is the key herb for Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
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
Pleurisy 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 three herbal formulas that might help with pleurisy
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Phlegm. Expands the chest. Dissipates clumps.
Why might Xiao Xian Xiong Tang help with pleurisy?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, a pattern sometimes associated with pleurisy. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer). Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions. Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold.
Why might Xiao Chai Hu Tang help with pleurisy?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation, a pattern sometimes associated with pleurisy. If it looks like you might suffer from Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Why might Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang help with pleurisy?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium, a pattern sometimes associated with pleurisy. 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).
