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Rattling sound in the throat 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 rattling sound in the throat 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 rattling sound in the throat is often associated with aphasia, coma and incoherent speech in the pattern “Phlegm Misting the Heart”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause rattling sound in the throat.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of rattling sound in the throat we’ve identified four 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 rattling sound in the throat.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause rattling sound in the throat
In Chinese Medicine rattling sound in the throat is a symptom for 3 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
Phlegm Misting the Heart
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is a condition where Phlegm enters the Heart and disturbs the Mind (Shen).
In addition to rattling sound in the throat, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Misting the Heart include aphasia, coma and incoherent speech.
Phlegm Misting the Heart 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".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, a formula used for Wind-Phlegm
Wind-Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating
Tongue shape: Deviated, Swollen
Wind-Phlegm is when Phlegm invades the Channels and sensory orifices, leading to such symptoms as dizziness, vertigo, or headache.
In addition to rattling sound in the throat, other symptoms associated with Wind-Phlegm include aphasia, feeling of oppression of the chest and chest pain.
Wind-Phlegm is often treated with Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that transform phlegm and extinguish wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries and dissolves Phlegm".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to rattling sound in the throat, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart include aphasia, red face and coma.
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart is often treated with Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Huang Lian 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 Hot Phlegm".
Four herbal formulas that might help with rattling sound in the throat
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 rattling sound in the throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which rattling sound in the throat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm Misting The Heart include aphasia, coma and incoherent speech.
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Dries and dissolves Phlegm. Strengthens the Spleen. Smoothes the Liver and calms Liver Wind (antispasmodic).
Why might Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang help with rattling sound in the throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Wind-Phlegm' of which rattling sound in the throat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Wind-Phlegm include aphasia, feeling of oppression of the chest and chest pain.
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1852 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Hot Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder Heat. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang help with rattling sound in the throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart' of which rattling sound in the throat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Fire Harassing The Heart include aphasia, red face and coma.
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 rattling sound in the throat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which rattling sound in the throat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm Misting The Heart include aphasia, coma and incoherent speech.
Acupuncture points used for rattling sound in the throat
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat rattling sound in the throat
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with rattling sound in the throat?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat rattling sound in the throat as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan 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 Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with rattling sound in the throat?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat rattling sound in the throat as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma 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 Bamboo Shaving (Zhu Ru) help with rattling sound in the throat?
Because Bamboo Shaving is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat rattling sound in the throat as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Bamboo Shavings is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Gallbladder, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. Clears Heat in the Stomach and stops vomiting. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with rattling sound in the throat?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat rattling sound in the throat as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang for instance.
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.
Why might Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi) help with rattling sound in the throat?
Because Immature Bitter Orange is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat rattling sound in the throat as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Immature Bitter Oranges is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter, Pungent and Sour. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Large intestine.
Its main actions are: Regulates the flow of Qi in the Middle Burner and reduces Food Stagnation. Moves Qi downward and helps constipation. Reduces Stagnant Phlegm and lessens distention and pain. For prolapse of organs when used with the appropriate herbs.
Other symptoms often associated with rattling sound in the throat
Aphasia Red face Coma Incoherent speech Mental confusion Muttering to oneself Feeling of oppression of the chest Mucus Palpitations Bitter taste in the mouth