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.
Clumping in the chest 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 clumping in the chest 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 clumping in the chest is often associated with constipation, bitter taste in the mouth and coughing of copious thick yellow sputum in the pattern “Phlegm Heat in the Lungs”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of clumping in the chest we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Xiao Xian Xiong Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause clumping in the chest
In Chinese Medicine clumping in the chest is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm Heat in the Lungs". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
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
In addition to clumping in the chest, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Heat in the Lungs include constipation, bitter taste in the mouth and coughing of copious thick yellow sputum.
Phlegm Heat in the Lungs is often treated with Xiao Xian Xiong Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Snake Gourds - Gua Lou - as a key herb). Xiao Xian Xiong Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat".
A herbal formula that might help with clumping in the chest
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 clumping in the chest?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Heat in the Lungs' of which clumping in the chest is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm Heat In The Lungs include constipation, bitter taste in the mouth and coughing of copious thick yellow sputum.
Snake gourd might help with clumping in the chest
Why might Snake Gourd (Gua Lou) help with clumping in the chest?
Because it is a key herb in Xiao Xian Xiong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Heat in the Lungs' (a pattern with clumping in the chest as a symptom)
Snake Gourds is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Stomach, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Phlegm-Heat conditions with thick difficult to expectorate sputum. Regulates the Qi of the chest and relieves constriction and swellings of the chest and Lungs. Lubricates the Intestines.
Other symptoms often associated with clumping in the chest
Constipation Bitter taste in the mouth Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum Chest pain Focal distention of the chest Epigastric pain Phlegm Clump