Cough In Common Coldaccording to TCM

What is Cough in Common Cold?

Cough in the common cold is a frequent symptom that manifests in the respiratory system. This type of cough is usually a reflex action to clear the airways of mucus or irritants and often accompanies a viral infection like the common cold.

It can vary from mild to severe and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, and congestion. Understanding the nature of this cough is essential for appropriate treatment, as it is often the body's mechanism to protect and clear the respiratory tract.

How does TCM view Cough in Common Cold?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches cough in the common cold not just as a symptom but as a sign of an imbalance within the body. In TCM, this condition is often linked to external pathogenic factors affecting the body's Qi, or vital energy.

The focus is on understanding the type of cough - whether it's due to an invasion of wind, cold, or heat - and the underlying disharmony in the body's organ systems. TCM emphasizes restoring balance and harmony to relieve symptoms, rather than just treating the cough itself.

Causes of Cough in Common Cold According to TCM

In TCM, the causes of cough in the common cold are often attributed to specific patterns of disharmony. One common cause is the invasion of external pathogenic factors like Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat, leading to a disturbance in the Lung's function to disperse and descend Qi.

Another typical pattern involves Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, where accumulated Phlegm and Heat obstruct the flow of Qi, causing cough. Understanding these patterns is crucial as it guides the treatment strategy in TCM, which is tailored to the individual's unique presentation of symptoms and underlying disharmony.

TCM Herbs for Cough In Common Cold

TCM employs various herbs to treat cough in the common cold, each selected based on the specific TCM diagnosis. For instance, Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua) are commonly used, especially for coughs resulting from Phlegm clogging the Lungs and Cold and/or Damp of the Stomach and Spleen.

These herbs are valued for their properties to transform Phlegm and stop cough, targeting the Spleen, Stomach, Large intestine, Liver, and Lung channels. The choice of herbs is based on a comprehensive assessment of the individual's pattern of disharmony, ensuring that treatment is both effective and tailored to the patient's specific needs.

By Herb Category

Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough

Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough

Cough in common cold can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.

One such herb is Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua), which is directly recommended for cough in common cold.