Sneezing 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.
Sneezing 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 sneezing 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 sneezing is often associated with runny nose, aversion to cold and occipital headaches in the pattern “Greater Yang Attack of Cold”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause sneezing.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of sneezing 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 sneezing.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause sneezing
In Chinese Medicine sneezing is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the king ingredient for Ma Huang Tang, a formula used for Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
In addition to sneezing, other symptoms associated with Greater Yang Attack of Cold include runny nose, aversion to cold and occipital headaches.
Greater Yang Attack of Cold is often treated with Ma Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ephedra - Ma Huang - as a key herb). Ma Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear wind-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases exterior cold".
Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) is the king ingredient for Jing Fang Bai Du San, a formula used for Wind-Cold
Wind-Cold
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
In addition to sneezing, other symptoms associated with Wind-Cold include runny nose, fever and aversion to cold.
Wind-Cold is often treated with Jing Fang Bai Du San, a herbal formula made of 13 herbs (including Japanese Catnip - Jing Jie - as a key herb). Jing Fang Bai Du San belongs to the category of "external formulas for external disorders", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) is the king ingredient for Yin Qiao San, a formula used for Wind-Heat
Wind-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Floating (Fu)
In addition to sneezing, other symptoms associated with Wind-Heat include runny nose, fever and aversion to cold.
Wind-Heat is often treated with Yin Qiao San, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Honeysuckle Flowers - Jin Yin Hua - as a key herb). Yin Qiao San belongs to the category of "external formulas for external disorders", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Disperses Wind Heat".
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wei Ling Tang, a formula used for Damp-Cold
Damp-Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi), Soggy (Ru)
In addition to sneezing, other symptoms associated with Damp-Cold include runny nose, fever and neck pain.
Damp-Cold is often treated with Wei Ling Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wei Ling Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination".
Five herbal formulas that might help with sneezing
Ma Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Releases exterior cold. Treats wheezing.
Why might Ma Huang Tang help with sneezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Greater Yang Attack of Cold' of which sneezing is a symptom.
Cong Chi Tang
Source date: 3rd Centry
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior . Induces sweating .
Why might Cong Chi Tang help with sneezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Wind-Cold' of which sneezing is a symptom.
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang
Source date: 1108 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior . Induces sweating .
Why might Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang help with sneezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Wind-Cold' of which sneezing is a symptom.
Wei Ling Tang
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wei Ling Tang help with sneezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Cold' of which sneezing is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for sneezing
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat sneezing
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with sneezing?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sneezing as a symptom, like Ma Huang Tang or Gui Zhi 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 Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) help with sneezing?
Because Japanese Catnip is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sneezing as a symptom, like Jing Fang Bai Du San or Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang for instance.
Japanese Catnip is a Neutral herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with sneezing?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sneezing as a symptom, like Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San or Jing Fang Bai Du San for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Ephedra (Ma Huang) help with sneezing?
Because Ephedra is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sneezing as a symptom, like Ma Huang Tang or Wu Ji San for instance.
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 Saposhnikovia Root (Fang Feng) help with sneezing?
Because Saposhnikovia Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sneezing as a symptom, like Fang Feng Tong Sheng San or Jing Fang Bai Du San for instance.
Saposhnikovia Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Bladder, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind.
Other symptoms often associated with sneezing
Runny nose Fever Aversion to cold Headaches Itchy throat Occipital headaches Blocked nose Stiff neck Body aches Chills