Bloody sputum 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.
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Bloody sputum 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 bloody sputum 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 bloody sputum is often associated with insomnia, dizziness and fever in the pattern “Heat in the Blood”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause bloody sputum.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of bloody sputum 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 bloody sputum.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause bloody sputum
In Chinese Medicine bloody sputum 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.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to bloody sputum, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include insomnia, dizziness and fever.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Heat in the Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
In addition to bloody sputum, other symptoms associated with Liver Fire insulting the Lungs include dizziness, asthma and breathlessness.
Liver Fire insulting the Lungs is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
Five herbal formulas that might help with bloody sputum
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with bloody sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody sputum is a symptom.
Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin . Clears Heat. Stops bleeding. Stabilizes the menses.
Why might Gu Jing Wan help with bloody sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody sputum is a symptom.
Shi Hui San
Source date: 1348g
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Blood and . Stops bleeding. Clears Heat and drains Fire.
Why might Shi Hui San help with bloody sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody sputum is a symptom.
Bai He Di Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Lungs. Enriches the Body Fluids. Clears Heat and cools the Blood .
Why might Bai He Di Huang Tang help with bloody sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody sputum is a symptom.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with bloody sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire insulting the Lungs' of which cough with yellow or blood-tinged sputum is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for bloody sputum
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat bloody sputum
Why might Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with bloody sputum?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat bloody sputum and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat bloody sputum as a symptom (such as Ke Xie Fang for instance).
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
Why might Water Buffalo Horn (Shui Niu Jiao) help with bloody sputum?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat bloody sputum and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat bloody sputum as a symptom (such as Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang for instance).
Water Buffalo Horns is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Salty. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, drains Fire and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears Heat and Fire and stops tremors and convulsions. Cools Fire and expels toxins.
Why might Lotus Leaf (He Ye) help with bloody sputum?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat bloody sputum and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat bloody sputum as a symptom (such as Shi Hui San for instance).
Lotus Leaves is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Relieves Summer Heat. Lifts the Spleen Yang. Halts bleeding caused by Heat or Stagnation.
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with bloody sputum?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat bloody sputum and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat bloody sputum as a symptom (such as Gu Jing Wan for instance).
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung, the Small intestine and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome.
Why might Biota Twig And Leaf (Ce Bo Ye) help with bloody sputum?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat bloody sputum and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat bloody sputum as a symptom (such as Shi Hui San for instance).
Biota Twigs And Leaves is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Cools Blood Heat and stops bleeding. Reduces Lung Heat, stops coughing and expels Phlegm. Relieves numb pain from Wind Damp. Cools Heat on the skin and helps burns healing.
Other symptoms often associated with bloody sputum
Nosebleed Coughing Insomnia Sores Dizziness Abnormal uterine bleeding Hematochezia Hematuria Dry cough Fever