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.
Contents
- Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria
- A herbal formula that might help with cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria
- The three Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria
Cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria 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 cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria 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 cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria is often associated with dry heaves, shortness of breath and headaches in the pattern “Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Shi Zao Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria
In Chinese Medicine cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium". Below is a small explanation for it 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 chest and hypochondrium
Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
In addition to cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium include dry heaves, shortness of breath and headaches.
Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and 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".
Read more about Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium here
A herbal formula that might help with cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria
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 cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium' of which cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Fluids In The Chest And Hypochondrium include dry heaves, shortness of breath and headaches.
The three Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria
Why might Peking Spurge Root (Jing Da Ji) help with cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium' (a pattern with cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria as a symptom)
Peking Spurge Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains water downward and drives out Phlegm-Fluids. Reduces swellings and dispels lumps.
Why might Kansui Root (Gan Sui) help with cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium' (a pattern with cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria as a symptom)
Kansui Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves water retention and congestion of Fluids. Cools swellings and reduces inflammation when applied topically. Strong purgative, driving water and Food Stagnation out though the stool.
Why might Genkwa Flower (Yan Hua) help with cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium' (a pattern with cough with pain in the chest and hypochondria as a symptom)
Genkwa Flowers is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves chronic congestion of Fluids in the chest and stops cough. Drains congested Fluids through the urine and the stool. Expels parasites.