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.
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
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
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
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".
The top herbs in Er Chen Tang are Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
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).
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
The top herbs in Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
The top herbs in Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang are Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), Wild Ginger (Xi Xin) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Lungs. Transforms congested Fluids.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
The top herbs in San Zi Yang Qin Tang are White Mustard Seeds (Bai Jie Zi), Perilla Seeds (Zi Su Zi) and Radish Seeds (Lai Fu Zi)
Source date: 1856 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Directs the Qi downward. Transforms Phlegm. Reduces harbored food.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
The top herbs in Bei Mu Gua Lou San are Fritillary Bulbs (Chuan Bei Mu), Snake Gourds (Gua Lou) and Snake Gourd Roots (Tian Hua Fen)
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Lungs. Clears Heat. Regulates Qi. Resolve Phlegm.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs' of which phlegm in throat is a symptom.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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