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.
acute laryngitis and chronic laryngitis redirect here
Laryngitis 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 laryngitis 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 laryngitis is often associated with difficulty swallowing and stuffiness of chest and diaphragm in the pattern “Qi-Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause laryngitis.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of laryngitis 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 laryngitis.
In Chinese Medicine laryngitis 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.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a formula used for Qi-Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Also often called "plum-stone" or "plum-pit" syndrome, the main characteristic of Qi-Phlegm is a feeling of swelling in the throat and a swallowing difficulty. It typically originates from emotional problems and it appears and disappears according to mood swings.
In addition to laryngitis, other symptoms associated with Qi-Phlegm include difficulty swallowing and stuffiness of chest and diaphragm.
Qi-Phlegm is often treated with Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that promote qi movement", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Regulates the flow of Qi, treats esophageal spasm".
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 laryngitis, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include chest pain, shortness of breath 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 Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang are Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Regulates the flow of Qi, treats esophageal spasm. Clears Phlegm.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi-Phlegm' of which laryngitis 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 laryngitis 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 laryngitis 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 laryngitis 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 laryngitis is a symptom.
Because it is a key herb in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi-Phlegm' (a pattern with laryngitis as a symptom)
Perilla Leaves is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Promotes the circulation of Spleen and Stomach Qi. Calms a restless fetus. Detoxifies seafood poisoning
Because it is a key herb in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi-Phlegm' (a pattern with laryngitis as a symptom)
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Because it is a key herb in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi-Phlegm' (a pattern with laryngitis as a symptom)
Houpu Magnolia Bark is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung.
Because it is a key herb in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi-Phlegm' (a pattern with laryngitis as a symptom)
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Because it is a key herb in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Qi-Phlegm' (a pattern with laryngitis as a symptom)
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Pharyngitis Carbuncles Erysipelas Mumps Sore throat Difficulty swallowing Stuffiness of chest and diaphragm Boils Dysentery Acne