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.
Hoarse voice 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 hoarse voice 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 hoarse voice is often associated with dry cough, dry throat and weak voice in the pattern “Lung Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause hoarse voice.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hoarse voice we’ve identified three 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 hoarse voice.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause hoarse voice
In Chinese Medicine hoarse voice 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 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 hoarse voice, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include dry cough, dry throat and weak voice.
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 Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Dryness
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
In addition to hoarse voice, other symptoms associated with Lung Dryness include dry cough, dry throat and dry skin.
Lung Dryness 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".
Three herbal formulas that might help with hoarse voice
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 hoarse voice?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which hoarse voice is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung Yin Deficiency include dry cough, dry throat and weak voice.
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 hoarse voice?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Dryness' of which hoarse voice is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung Dryness include dry cough, dry throat and dry skin.
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Source date: the 18th century
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Improves throat. Resolves toxicity. Clears the Lungs.
Why might Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang help with hoarse voice?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which hoarse voice is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung Yin Deficiency include dry cough, dry throat and weak voice.
Acupuncture points used for hoarse voice
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hoarse voice
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with hoarse voice?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Mai Men Dong Tang or Yang Yin Qing Fei 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with hoarse voice?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Mai Men Dong Tang or Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with hoarse voice?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Yang Yin Qing Fei 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 Dwarf Lilyturf Root (Mai Dong) help with hoarse voice?
Because Dwarf Lilyturf Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Mai Men Dong Tang or Yang Yin Qing Fei 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 Fritillary Bulb (Chuan Bei Mu) help with hoarse voice?
Because Fritillary Bulb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang or Bai He Gu Jin Tang for instance.
Fritillary Bulbs is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Hot Phlegm and stops cough. Clears Lung Heat caused by Yin Deficiency. Clears Heat and reduces hard lumps and swellings.
Other symptoms often associated with hoarse voice
Dry cough Dry throat Dry skin Weak voice Dry mouth Tiredness Night sweats Malar flush Hot palms and soles Insomnia