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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Contents
- The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause coughing with blood-streaked sputum
- Five herbal formulas that might help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum
- Acupuncture points used for coughing with blood-streaked sputum
- The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat coughing with blood-streaked sputum
Coughing with blood-streaked sputum 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 coughing with blood-streaked sputum 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 coughing with blood-streaked sputum is often associated with dizziness, tinnitus and dry stools in the pattern “Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause coughing with blood-streaked sputum.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of coughing with blood-streaked sputum 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 coughing with blood-streaked sputum.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause coughing with blood-streaked sputum
In Chinese Medicine coughing with blood-streaked sputum is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the king ingredient for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
When Yin Deficiency lasts for a long it may lead to Interior Heat
In addition to coughing with blood-streaked sputum, other symptoms associated with Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and dry stools.
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Softshell Turtle Shells - Bie Jia - as a key herb). Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from deficiency", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin and clears Heat".
Read more about Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency here
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Loss of Blood
Loss of Blood
In addition to coughing with blood-streaked sputum, other symptoms associated with Loss of Blood include bloody sputum, epistaxis and bloody stools.
Loss of Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Fire Blazing
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to coughing with blood-streaked sputum, other symptoms associated with Liver Fire Blazing include epistaxis, dizziness and tinnitus.
Liver Fire Blazing is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to coughing with blood-streaked sputum, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire include epistaxis, dizziness and tinnitus.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire is often treated with Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Saiga Antelope's Horns - Ling Yang Jiao - as a key herb). Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Cools the Liver".
Read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire here
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to coughing with blood-streaked sputum, other symptoms associated with Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire include hot palms and soles, night sweats and wheezing.
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire is often treated with Bai He Gu Jin Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Lily Bulbs - Bai He - as a key herb). Bai He Gu Jin Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin".
Read more about Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire here
Five herbal formulas that might help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Causes Fire to descend. Eliminates irritability. Calms the spirit.
Why might Huang Lian E Jiao Tang help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' of which coughing with blood-streaked sputum is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Empty-Heat Or Fire Caused By Yin Deficiency include dizziness, tinnitus and dry stools.
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Source date: 1573 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin. Lubricates the Lung and clears phlegm.
Why might Bai He Gu Jin Tang help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire' of which coughing with blood-streaked sputum is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung And Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty Fire include hot palms and soles, night sweats and wheezing.
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Loss of Blood' of which coughing with blood-streaked sputum is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Loss Of Blood include bloody sputum, epistaxis and bloody stools.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which coughing with blood-streaked sputum is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Fire Blazing include epistaxis, dizziness and tinnitus.
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire' of which coughing with blood-streaked sputum is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Liver Fire include epistaxis, dizziness and tinnitus.
Acupuncture points used for coughing with blood-streaked sputum
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat coughing with blood-streaked sputum
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coughing with blood-streaked sputum as a symptom, like Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang or Bai He Gu Jin Tang for instance.
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coughing with blood-streaked sputum as a symptom, like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Dang Gui Long Hui Wan for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coughing with blood-streaked sputum as a symptom, like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coughing with blood-streaked sputum as a symptom, like Huang Lian E Jiao Tang or Bai He Gu Jin Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because Baikal Skullcap Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coughing with blood-streaked sputum as a symptom, like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Dang Gui Long Hui Wan for instance.
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Spleen, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung and the Small intestine.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome.
Other symptoms often associated with coughing with blood-streaked sputum
Bloody sputum Epistaxis Dizziness Tinnitus Dry stools Irritability Hot palms and soles Night sweats Anxiety Insomnia