Phlegm according to Chinese Medicine
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.
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Phlegm 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 phlegm 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 phlegm is often associated with chest pain, depression and palpitations in the pattern “Heart Vessel obstructed”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause phlegm.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of phlegm 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 phlegm.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause phlegm
In Chinese Medicine phlegm 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 Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Vessel obstructed
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Knotted (Jie), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to phlegm, other symptoms associated with Heart Vessel obstructed include chest pain, depression and palpitations.
Heart Vessel obstructed is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to phlegm, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium include chest pain, palpitations and red face.
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Phlegm".
Five herbal formulas that might help with phlegm
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates the Blood. Dispels blood Stagnation. Spreads the Liver Qi. Unblocks the channels.
Why might Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang help with phlegm?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which phlegm is a symptom.
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with phlegm?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which phlegm is a symptom.
Di Tan Tang
Source date: 1470 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Removes Phlegm. Opens the sensory orifices. Tonifies Qi.
Why might Di Tan Tang help with phlegm?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which phlegm is a symptom.
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Channels. Disperses Cold. Nourishes the Blood. Unblocks the Blood vessels.
Why might Dang Gui Si Ni Tang help with phlegm?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which phlegm is a symptom.
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with phlegm?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium' of which mucus is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat phlegm
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with phlegm?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat phlegm as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) help with phlegm?
Because Cinnabar is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat phlegm as a symptom, like Sheng Tie Luo Yin or Zhi Bao Dan for instance.
Cinnabar is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart.
Its main actions are: Calms the spirit and Heart. Stops convulsions. Clears Heat and toxins.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with phlegm?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat phlegm as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang for instance.
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.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with phlegm?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat phlegm as a symptom, like Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang or Wen Dan 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.
Why might Fritillary Bulb (Chuan Bei Mu) help with phlegm?
Because Fritillary Bulb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat phlegm as a symptom, like Sheng Tie Luo Yin or Hui Chun Dan 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 phlegm
Coughing Constipation Vomiting Chest pain Asthma Dry mouth Night sweats Abdominal pain Edema Depression