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.
Feeling of lump in the throat 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 feeling of lump in the throat 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 feeling of lump in the throat is often associated with feeling of distension, irritability and feeling of heat in the pattern “Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of lump in the throat we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause feeling of lump in the throat
In Chinese Medicine feeling of lump in the throat is a symptom for the pattern "Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Fire. The Heat is more intense here.
In addition to feeling of lump in the throat, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include feeling of distension, irritability and feeling of heat.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Mudan Peony Bark - Mu Dan Pi - as a key herb). Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear liver-heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi".
A herbal formula that might help with feeling of lump in the throat
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Source date: 2002 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi.
Why might Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San help with feeling of lump in the throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which feeling of lump in the throat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stagnant Liver-Qi Turning Into Fire include feeling of distension, irritability and feeling of heat.
Mudan peony bark might help with feeling of lump in the throat
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with feeling of lump in the throat?
Because it is a key herb in Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' (a pattern with feeling of lump in the throat as a symptom)
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of lump in the throat
Feeling of distension Irritability Feeling of heat Menstrual cramps Depression Moodiness Red face Irregular menstruation Heavy periods Anger