Bad breath 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.
Bad breath can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like bad breath here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here bad breath is often associated with dry stools, dry mouth and dry throat in the pattern “Large Intestine Dryness”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause bad breath.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of bad breath we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat bad breath.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause bad breath
In Chinese Medicine bad breath is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Large Intestine Dryness
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi)
In addition to bad breath, other symptoms associated with Large Intestine Dryness include dry stools, dry mouth and dry throat.
Large Intestine Dryness is often treated with Zeng Ye Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Ningpo Figwort Roots - Xuan Shen - as a key herb). Zeng Ye Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Yin and Essence".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Heat or Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red centre
Stomach Fire indicates a true Excess of Heat in the Stomach, creating symptoms such as mouth ulcers, bad breath, intense thirst and gum bleeding. Stomach Fire can be the result of excessive intake of hot, spicy, greasy and deep fried foods or other factors such as alcohol, tobacco and sugar.
In addition to bad breath, other symptoms associated with Stomach Heat or Fire include dry stools, dry mouth and irritability.
Stomach Heat or Fire is often treated with Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that purge heat accumulation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner".
Five herbal formulas that might help with bad breath
Zeng Ye Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and Essence. Lubricates Dryness.
Why might Zeng Ye Tang help with bad breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine Dryness' of which bad breath is a symptom.
Ma Zi Ren Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Intestines. Invigorates Qi. Unblocks the bowels. Drains Heat.
Why might Ma Zi Ren Wan help with bad breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine Dryness' of which bad breath is a symptom.
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner. Removes constipation.
Why might Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang help with bad breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Heat or Fire' of which bad breath is a symptom.
Qing Wei San
Source date: 1336 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Drains Stomach Fire. Cools the Blood. Nourishes the Yin.
Why might Qing Wei San help with bad breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Heat or Fire' of which bad breath is a symptom.
Xie Huang San
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Clears Stagnant Fire from the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Xie Huang San help with bad breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Heat or Fire' of which bad breath is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for bad breath
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat bad breath
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with bad breath?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bad breath as a symptom, like Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang or Xie Huang San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Rhubarb (Da Huang) help with bad breath?
Because Rhubarb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bad breath as a symptom, like Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang or Ma Zi Ren Wan for instance.
Rhubarb is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis.
Why might Goldthread Rhizome (Huang Lian) help with bad breath?
Because Goldthread Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bad breath as a symptom, like Qing Wei San or Fei Er Wan for instance.
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with bad breath?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bad breath as a symptom, like Zeng Ye Tang or Qing Wei San for instance.
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Medicated Leaven (Shen Qu) help with bad breath?
Because Medicated Leaven is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bad breath as a symptom, like Fei Er Wan or Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan for instance.
Medicated Leaven is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Assists the Stomach in removing Food Stagnation. Harmonizes the Earth element and improves digestion.
Other symptoms often associated with bad breath
Dry stools Dry mouth Dry throat Dizziness Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth Watery milk No feeling of distension of the breasts Fatigue Irritability Constipation