Coughing with blood-streaked sputum 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.
bloody coughing, coughing blood and haemoptysis redirect here
Contents
- The two "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 epistaxis, dizziness and tinnitus in the pattern “Liver Fire Blazing”. As you will see below, we have in record two 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 two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause coughing with blood-streaked sputum
In Chinese Medicine coughing with blood-streaked sputum is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
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".
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to coughing with blood-streaked sputum, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include bloody sputum, dizziness and tinnitus.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Heat in the 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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum
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 haemoptysis is a symptom.
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 'Heat in the Blood' of which cough of blood is a symptom.
Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin . Clears Heat. Stops bleeding. Stabilizes the menses.
Why might Gu Jing Wan help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which cough of blood is a symptom.
Shi Hui San
Source date: 1348g
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Blood and . Stops bleeding. Clears Heat and drains Fire.
Why might Shi Hui San help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which cough of blood is a symptom.
Bai He Di Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Lungs. Enriches the Body Fluids. Clears Heat and cools the Blood .
Why might Bai He Di Huang Tang help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which cough of blood is a symptom.
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 Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang or Xi Jiao Di Huang 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 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 Feng Yin Tang or Long Dan Xie 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 Rhubarb (Da Huang) help with coughing with blood-streaked sputum?
Because Rhubarb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coughing with blood-streaked sputum as a symptom, like Xie Qing Wan or Feng Yin Tang for instance.
Rhubarb is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis.
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 Dang Gui Long Hui Wan or Xie Qing Wan for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
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 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 Liver and the Spleen.
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.
Other symptoms often associated with coughing with blood-streaked sputum
Bloody sputum Epistaxis Dizziness Tinnitus Dry stools Irritability Hot palms and soles Night sweats Bleeding gums Abnormal uterine bleeding