Bronchitis 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.
acute bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis redirect here
Bronchitis 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 bronchitis 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 bronchitis is often associated with coughing, palpitations and shortness of breath in the pattern “Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause bronchitis.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of bronchitis 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 bronchitis.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause bronchitis
In Chinese Medicine bronchitis is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Kansui Roots (Gan Sui) is the king ingredient for Shi Zao Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is when Phlegm-Fluids clogs up the chest and hypochondriac regions, producing chest pain, cough and shortness of breath.
In addition to bronchitis, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium include coughing, palpitations and shortness of breath.
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium is often treated with Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Kansui Roots - Gan Sui - as a key herb). Shi Zao Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that drive out excess water", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Purges and drives out Phlegm-Fluids".
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
Exterior Heat and Dryness invades the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. It eventually leads to Lung Yin Deficiency, if not intervened for a long time.
In addition to bronchitis, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include dry cough, dry throat and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Lung Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Lung Yin Deficiency is often treated with Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Yang Yin Qing Fei 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 the Yin".
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
Stomach Yin Deficiency causes Dryness and Heat, which harms the Organ's ability of receiving and ripening foods and drinks. It is the result of prolonged unbalanced diet and irregular eating habits.
In addition to bronchitis, other symptoms associated with Stomach Yin Deficiency include constipation, dry throat and poor appetite.
Stomach Yin Deficiency is often treated with Mai Men Dong Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dwarf Lilyturf Roots - Mai Dong - as a key herb). Mai Men Dong 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 the Stomach".
Five herbal formulas that might help with bronchitis
Shi Zao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges and drives out Phlegm-Fluids.
Why might Shi Zao Tang help with bronchitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium' of which bronchitis is a symptom.
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Source date: the 18th century
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Improves throat. Resolves toxicity. Clears the Lungs.
Why might Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang help with bronchitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which acute bronchitis is a symptom.
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Source date: 1658 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears dryness. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang help with bronchitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which acute bronchitis is a symptom.
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 bronchitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Yin Deficiency' of which acute bronchitis is a symptom.
Yi Wei Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Strengthen the Stomach. Creates Body Fluids.
Why might Yi Wei Tang help with bronchitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Yin Deficiency' of which acute bronchitis is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for bronchitis
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat bronchitis
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with bronchitis?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bronchitis as a symptom, like Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang or Ba Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Why might Dwarf Lilyturf Root (Mai Dong) help with bronchitis?
Because it is a key herb in Mai Men Dong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with bronchitis as a symptom)
Dwarf Lilyturf Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with bronchitis?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with bronchitis as a symptom)
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with bronchitis?
Because it is a key herb in Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with bronchitis as a symptom)
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 Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with bronchitis?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with bronchitis as a symptom)
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Other symptoms often associated with bronchitis
Coughing Asthma Palpitations Edema Constipation Wheezing Vomiting Dry cough Pneumonia Excessive thirst