Pneumonia 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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Pneumonia 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 pneumonia 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 pneumonia is often associated with insomnia, shortness of breath and depression in the pattern “Lung Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause pneumonia.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of pneumonia 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 pneumonia.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause pneumonia
In Chinese Medicine pneumonia 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 pneumonia, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include insomnia, shortness of breath and depression.
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 Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Stomach Yin Deficiency causes Dryness and Heat, which harms the Organ's ability of receiving and ripening foods and drinks. It is the result of prolonged unbalanced diet and irregular eating habits.
In addition to pneumonia, other symptoms associated with Stomach Yin Deficiency include constipation and epigastric pain.
Stomach Yin Deficiency is often treated with Mai Men Dong Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dwarf Lilyturf Roots - Mai Dong - as a key herb). Mai Men Dong 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 Stomach".
Five herbal formulas that might help with pneumonia
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 pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which pneumonia is a symptom.
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Source date: 1658 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears dryness. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang help with pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which pneumonia is a symptom.
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 pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Yin Deficiency' of which pneumonia is a symptom.
Yi Wei Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Strengthen the Stomach. Creates Body Fluids.
Why might Yi Wei Tang help with pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Yin Deficiency' of which pneumonia is a symptom.
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Leaches out Dampness. Stops diarrhea.
Why might Shen Ling Bai Zhu San help with pneumonia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Yin Deficiency' of which pneumonia is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat pneumonia
Why might Dwarf Lilyturf Root (Mai Dong) help with pneumonia?
Because it is a key herb in Mai Men Dong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with pneumonia as a symptom)
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.
Why might Ephedra (Ma Huang) help with pneumonia?
Because it is a key herb in Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with pneumonia as a symptom)
Ephedra is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Bladder and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Releases the surface through sweating. Promotes the circulation of Lung Qi and stop wheezing. Promotes urination.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with pneumonia?
Because it is a key herb in Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with pneumonia as a symptom)
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with pneumonia?
Because it is a key herb in Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with pneumonia as a symptom)
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
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 Gypsum (Shi Gao) help with pneumonia?
Because it is a key herb in Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with pneumonia as a symptom)
Gypsum is a Cold herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Lung and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and drains Fire. Clears Lung Heat. Relieves thirst and restlessness. Clears Stomach Heat.
Other symptoms often associated with pneumonia
Irritability Generalized body pain Bitter taste in the mouth Nausea Bronchitis Headaches Focal distention Fever Severe fever and chills without sweating Feeling of heaviness