Upper respiratory tract infections 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.
Upper respiratory tract infections 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 upper respiratory tract infections 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 upper respiratory tract infections is often associated with generalized body pain, irritability and alternating fever and chills in the pattern “Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of upper respiratory tract infections we’ve identified two 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 upper respiratory tract infections.
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause upper respiratory tract infections
In Chinese Medicine upper respiratory tract infections is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the king ingredient for Da Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is when Body Fluids stagnate in the four limbs instead of flowing in the body and getting released as sweat.
In addition to upper respiratory tract infections, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs include generalized body pain, irritability and alternating fever and chills.
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs is often treated with Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Ephedra - Ma Huang - as a key herb). Da Qing Long 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: "Promotes sweating".
Two herbal formulas that might help with upper respiratory tract infections
Da Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Promotes sweating. Releases the Exterior. Clears Interior Heat.
Why might Da Qing Long Tang help with upper respiratory tract infections?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' of which upper respiratory tract infections is a symptom.
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Warms the Lungs. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Xiao Qing Long Tang help with upper respiratory tract infections?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' of which upper respiratory tract infections is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat upper respiratory tract infections
Why might Ephedra (Ma Huang) help with upper respiratory tract infections?
Because it is a key herb in Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' (a pattern with upper respiratory tract infections 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 Gypsum (Shi Gao) help with upper respiratory tract infections?
Because it is a key herb in Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' (a pattern with upper respiratory tract infections 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.
Why might Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) help with upper respiratory tract infections?
Because it is a key herb in Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' (a pattern with upper respiratory tract infections as a symptom)
Cinnamon Twigs is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with upper respiratory tract infections?
Because it is a key herb in Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' (a pattern with upper respiratory tract infections 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.
Why might Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with upper respiratory tract infections?
Because it is a key herb in Da Qing Long Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs' (a pattern with upper respiratory tract infections as a symptom)
Jujube Dates is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula.
Other symptoms often associated with upper respiratory tract infections
Generalized body pain Irritability Alternating fever and chills Absence of sweating Dizziness Headaches Phlegm Severe fever and chills without sweating Feeling of heaviness Superficial edema in the extremities