Qi-Phlegm
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.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Phlegm The concept of Qi
Key attributes
Chinese name: 气痰 Pinyin name: Qì Tán
Pattern nature: Full
Pattern hierarchy: General pattern
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Depression Mood swings Irritability Difficulty swallowing A feeling of oppression in chest and epigastrium and one other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Treatment
Common formulas: Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Pathology
Also often called "plum-stone" or "plum-pit" (梅核, Méi Hé) syndrome or "globus hystericus" in modern medicine, the main characteristic of Qi-Phlegm is a feeling of something caught in the throat that can neither be swallowed nor ejected.
It is the result of a situation that affects the patient emotionally so much that they figuratively and physiologically cannot swallow it.
As a result the Lungs and Stomach lose their ability to move Qi downward. This, in turn, leads to problems with the transportation and transformation of Body Fluids, which leads to the formation of Phlegm. The Phlegm clashes with the Qi and ultimately lodges itself in the throat.
The obstruction of the Qi mechanism by Phlegm is also manifested in the stifling sensation in the chest. In severe cases, there will also be coughing or vomiting.
Diagnosing Qi-Phlegm
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Main symptoms: Depression Mood swings Irritability Difficulty swallowing A feeling of oppression in chest and epigastrium Feeling of a lump in the throat which comes and goes
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the chest and diaphragm oppression and the feeling of swelling in the throat but not necessary an actual swelling.
Treating Qi-Phlegm
Herbal formulas used to treat Qi-Phlegm
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.
Formula summary
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement.
Besides Qi-Phlegm, Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is also used to treat Stomach Qi Stagnation or Heart Qi Stagnation.
Related conditions
Please keep in mind that a Western Medicine condition can be caused by several Chinese Medicine patterns of disharmony and vice versa. As such a patient suffering from one of the conditions below will not necessarily be suffering from Qi-Phlegm, it is just one pattern that's commonly associated with the condition. Click on a condition to learn what other patterns it's associated with.
Irritable bowel syndrome Hyperthyroid Goiter Psychosis Globus hystericus Tonsillitis Neurosis Neurogenic vomiting Hysteria Laryngitis Edema of the vocal cords Esophageal strictures Esophageal spasms