Pneumonia 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.
Pneumonia factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Thirst Nausea Epigastrium fullness and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Symptoms: Clump Phlegm Chest pain and seven other symptoms
Recommended formula: Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
In Chinese Medicine, pneumonia can be associated with eight 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 pneumonia can be caused by eight different patterns.
To understand whether someone's pneumonia 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 pneumonia alone. For instance when pneumonia is caused by the pattern Heat in Gall Bladder, patients also experience symptoms such as mild chills alternating with pronounced fever, bitter taste in the mouth, stifling sensation in the chest and spitting up bitter or sour fluids. Similarly, patients with Heat in Gall Bladder typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a red tongue with thick coating, yellow coating.
We've listed below a description of the eight patterns associated with pneumonia 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 twenty six formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with pneumonia, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The eight "patterns of disharmony" associated with pneumonia
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Heat in Gall Bladder
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Nausea Epigastrium fullness Bitter taste in the mouth Stifling sensation in the chest Spitting up bitter or sour fluids Mild chills alternating with pronounced fever Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria
Pneumonia might be due to Heat in Gall Bladder if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as mild chills alternating with pronounced fever, bitter taste in the mouth, stifling sensation in the chest and spitting up bitter or sour fluids. Similarly, patients with Heat in Gall Bladder typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a red tongue with thick coating, yellow coating.
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
Pneumonia 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 Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Wind-Heat entering the Lungs
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
Pneumonia 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.
Arisaema With Bile (Dan Nan Xing) is the key herb for Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan, a formula used for Phlegm-Heat
Phlegm-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Symptoms: Nausea Chest fullness Focal distention Coughing and wheezing with copious thick and yellow sputum
Pneumonia might be due to Phlegm-Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as focal distention, chest fullness, nausea and coughing and wheezing with copious thick and yellow sputum. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a red tongue.
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
Pneumonia 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
Kansui Roots (Gan Sui) is the key herb for Shi Zao Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium
Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Shi Zao Tang
Symptoms: Vertigo Headaches Dry heaves Shortness of breath Hard focal distention in the epigastrium Cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria
Pneumonia might be due to Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria, hard focal distention in the epigastrium, dry heaves and shortness of breath. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium typically exhibit deep (Chen) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium here
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Yin Deficiency
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
Stomach Yin Deficiency
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.
The twenty six herbal formulas that might help with pneumonia
Mai Men Dong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Stomach. Generates Body Fluids. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Mai Men Dong Tang help with pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Lung Yin Deficiency and Stomach Yin Deficiency which are sometimes associated with pneumonia. 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).
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Source date: Qing Dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder. Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes. Resolves Phlegm. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang help with pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat in Gall Bladder, a pattern sometimes associated with pneumonia. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat in Gall Bladder, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
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 pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, a pattern sometimes associated with pneumonia. 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).
Wei Jing Tang
Source date: 627 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat from the Lungs. Transforms Phlegm. Drives out Blood-Stagnation. Discharges pus.
Why might Wei Jing Tang help with pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Wind-Heat entering the Lungs, a pattern sometimes associated with pneumonia. 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).
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Source date: 1584 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Phlegm. Directs Rebellious Qi downwards. Stops coughing.
Why might Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan help with pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm-Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with pneumonia. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm-Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to pneumonia
Bitter taste in the mouth Thirst Nausea Constipation Epigastric pain Headaches Dry mouth Dry throat Hot palms and soles Feeling of heat in the afternoon
