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.
Vomiting frothy saliva 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 vomiting frothy saliva 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 vomiting frothy saliva is often associated with throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus, vertigo and shortness of breath in the pattern “Phlegm in the Lower Burner”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of vomiting frothy saliva we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Wu Ling San can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Phlegm in the Lower Burner, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause vomiting frothy saliva
In Chinese Medicine vomiting frothy saliva is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm in the Lower Burner". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm in the Lower Burner
In addition to vomiting frothy saliva, other symptoms associated with Phlegm in the Lower Burner include throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus, vertigo and shortness of breath.
Phlegm in the Lower Burner is often treated with Wu Ling San, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wu Ling San belongs to the category of "formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination,".
A herbal formula that might help with vomiting frothy saliva
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Why might Wu Ling San help with vomiting frothy saliva?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in the Lower Burner' of which vomiting frothy saliva is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm In The Lower Burner include throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus, vertigo and shortness of breath.
Water plantain might help with vomiting frothy saliva
Why might Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with vomiting frothy saliva?
Because it is a key herb in Wu Ling San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in the Lower Burner' (a pattern with vomiting frothy saliva as a symptom)
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Other symptoms often associated with vomiting frothy saliva
Edema General sensation of heaviness Diarrhea Throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus Vertigo Shortness of breath Coughing