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.
Dry mouth 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 dry mouth 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 dry mouth is often associated with dry throat, night sweats and insomnia in the pattern “Lung Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause dry mouth.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dry mouth 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 dry mouth.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause dry mouth
In Chinese Medicine dry mouth 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.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Exterior Heat and Dryness invades the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. It eventually leads to Lung Yin Deficiency, if not intervened for a long time.
In addition to dry mouth, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include dry throat, night sweats and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Lung Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Lung Yin Deficiency is often treated with Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Stomach Yin Deficiency causes Dryness and Heat, which harms the Organ's ability of receiving and ripening foods and drinks. It is the result of prolonged unbalanced diet and irregular eating habits.
In addition to dry mouth, other symptoms associated with Stomach Yin Deficiency include dry throat, constipation and dry stools.
Stomach Yin Deficiency is often treated with Mai Men Dong Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dwarf Lilyturf Roots - Mai Dong - as a key herb). Mai Men Dong Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Stomach".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Kidney Yin Deficiency causes false Heat symptoms, such as night sweats, thirst and five palm heat. These signs are from a depletion of Body Fluids and Essence. It can be caused by prolonged overwork, excessive sexual activity, chronic long term illnesses, consumption of Body Fluids by Heat, prolonged blood loss, overdosage of Kidney Yang tonics herbs, smoking and Kidney depleting foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and fruit juices.
In addition to dry mouth, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency include dizziness, dry throat and night sweats.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menopausal Syndrome, Prolonged Periods or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei Di Huang Wan 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: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye) is the king ingredient for Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, a formula used for Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Floating (Fu)
In addition to dry mouth, other symptoms associated with Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire include dry throat, dry cough and fever.
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire is often treated with Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Mulberry Leaves - Sang Ye - as a key herb). Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that disperse dryness and moisten", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears dryness".
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 dry mouth, other symptoms associated with Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and insomnia.
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
Five herbal formulas that might help with dry mouth
Mai Men Dong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Stomach. Generates Body Fluids. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Mai Men Dong Tang help with dry mouth?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which dry mouth is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Lung Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Yi Wei Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Strengthen the Stomach. Creates Body Fluids.
Why might Yi Wei Tang help with dry mouth?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Yin Deficiency' of which dry mouth is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Yin Deficiency include dry throat, constipation and dry stools.
Yu Nu Jian
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Drains Heat from the Stomach. Nourishes Yin.
Why might Yu Nu Jian help with dry mouth?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which dry mouth is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Source date: 1658 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears dryness. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang help with dry mouth?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire' of which dry mouth is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Dry-Heat Or Dry-Fire include dry throat, dry cough and fever.
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Why might Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang help with dry mouth?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' of which dry mouth is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Empty-Heat Or Fire Caused By Yin Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and insomnia.
Acupuncture points used for dry mouth
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dry mouth
Why might Dwarf Lilyturf Root (Mai Dong) help with dry mouth?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dry mouth and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dry mouth as a symptom (such as Mai Men Dong Tang for instance).
Dwarf Lilyturf Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart.
Why might Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhi Mu) help with dry mouth?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dry mouth and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dry mouth as a symptom (such as Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan for instance).
Anemarrhena Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Stomach, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and Fire from the Qi level. Clears Heat and Fire from the Lung and Stomach. Clears Heat and tonifies the Yin.
Why might Gypsum (Shi Gao) help with dry mouth?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dry mouth and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dry mouth as a symptom (such as Yu Nu Jian for instance).
Gypsum is a Cold herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and drains Fire. Clears Lung Heat. Relieves thirst and restlessness. Clears Stomach Heat.
Why might Glehnia Root (Bei Sha Shen) help with dry mouth?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dry mouth and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dry mouth as a symptom (such as Yi Wei Tang for instance).
Glehnia Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Nourishes Lung Yin and stops cough. Nourishes Stomach Yin and generates Fluids.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with dry mouth?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dry mouth as a symptom, like Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San 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.
Conditions associated with dry mouth
Absence of menstruation Menstrual cramps Menopausal syndrome Morning sickness Vaginal itching Mastitis Breast engorgement
Other symptoms often associated with dry mouth
Dizziness Dry throat Night sweats Insomnia Irritability Depression Constipation Tinnitus Dry stools Malar flush