Congested throat 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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Congested throat 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 congested throat 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 congested throat is often associated with dizziness, coughing and feeling of heaviness in the pattern “Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause congested throat.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of congested throat 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 congested throat.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause congested throat
In Chinese Medicine congested throat 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.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Phlegm in the Lungs (a synonym for "Substantial Phlegm") is the sputum that collects in the Lungs and is spat out during bronchitis or other Lung diseases.
In addition to congested throat, other symptoms associated with Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs include dizziness, coughing and feeling of heaviness.
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi)
In addition to congested throat, other symptoms associated with Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs include dizziness, coughing and feeling of heaviness.
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs is often treated with Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Poria-Cocos Mushrooms - Fu Ling - as a key herb). Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm and transform water and dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids".
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Fine (Xi)
In addition to congested throat, other symptoms associated with Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs include dizziness, feeling of heaviness and stifling sensation in the chest.
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs is often treated with Bei Mu Gua Lou San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Fritillary Bulbs - Chuan Bei Mu - as a key herb). Bei Mu Gua Lou San belongs to the category of "formulas that dispel phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Moistens the Lungs".
Five herbal formulas that might help with congested throat
Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Why might Er Chen Tang help with congested throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Why might Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang help with congested throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Lungs. Transforms congested Fluids.
Why might Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang help with congested throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
San Zi Yang Qin Tang
Source date: 1856 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Directs the Qi downward. Transforms Phlegm. Reduces harbored food.
Why might San Zi Yang Qin Tang help with congested throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Lungs. Clears Heat. Regulates Qi. Resolve Phlegm.
Why might Bei Mu Gua Lou San help with congested throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for congested throat
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat congested throat
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with congested throat?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat congested throat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with congested throat?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat congested throat as a symptom, like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang or Er Chen Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with congested throat?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat congested throat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with congested throat?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat congested throat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Platycodon Root (Jie Geng) help with congested throat?
Because Platycodon Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat congested throat as a symptom, like Qing Xin Li Ge Tang or Bei Mu Gua Lou San for instance.
Platycodon Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung.
Its main actions are: Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Warmer.
Other symptoms often associated with congested throat
Dizziness Coughing Feeling of heaviness Stifling sensation in the chest Shortness of breath Wheezing Asthma Chest fullness Feeling of cold in chest Feeling of cold