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 dry skin in the pattern “Lung Dryness”. 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 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 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
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".
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
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 top herbs in Bai He Gu Jin Tang are Lily Bulbs (Bai He), Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) and Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)
Source date: 1573 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin. Lubricates the Lung and clears phlegm.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Dryness' of which hoarse voice is a symptom.
The top herbs in Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang are Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang), Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen) and Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Source date: the 18th century
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Improves throat. Resolves toxicity. Clears the Lungs.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which hoarse voice is a symptom.
The top herbs in Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang are Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Source date: 1658 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears dryness. Moistens the Lungs.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which hoarse voice is a symptom.
The top herbs in Bu Fei E Jiao Tang are Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao), Aristolochia Fruits (Ma Dou Ling) and Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren)
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Controls coughing. Stops bleeding. Tonifies the Lungs.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which hoarse voice is a symptom.
The top herbs in Jiu Xian San are Poppy Capsules (Ying Su Ke), Chinese Plums (Wu Mei) and Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Source date: Yuan dynasty
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which hoarse voice is a symptom.
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Mai Men Dong Tang or Bu Fei E Jiao 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.
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 Heart, the Lung and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart.
Because Fritillary Bulb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang or Jiu Xian San 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.
Because Donkey-Hide Gelatin is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Bu Fei E Jiao Tang or Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang for instance.
Donkey-Hide Gelatin is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies and nourishes Blood. Stops bleeding. Moistens and lubricates Yin.
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hoarse voice as a symptom, like Mai Men Dong Tang or Jiu Xian San for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
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).
Dry cough Dry throat Dry skin Weak voice Dry mouth Tiredness Night sweats Malar flush Hot palms and soles Insomnia