Wheezing 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.
Wheezing 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 wheezing 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 wheezing is often associated with coughing, asthma and stifling sensation in the chest in the pattern “Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of wheezing 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 wheezing.
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause wheezing
In Chinese Medicine wheezing is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
In addition to wheezing, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs include coughing, asthma and stifling sensation in the chest.
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs 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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with wheezing
Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Why might Er Chen Tang help with wheezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' of which wheezing is a symptom.
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 wheezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' of which wheezing is a symptom.
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Source date: 1584 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Phlegm. Directs Rebellious Qi downwards. Stops coughing.
Why might Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan help with wheezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' of which wheezing is a symptom.
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Lung Qi. Clears Heat. Calms wheezing by directing rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang help with wheezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' of which wheezing is a symptom.
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang
Source date: 1602 AD
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Key actions: Clears Toxic-Heat. Unblocks the stool. Benefits the throat .
Why might Qing Xin Li Ge Tang help with wheezing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' of which wheezing is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for wheezing
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat wheezing
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with wheezing?
Because it is a key herb in Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' (a pattern with wheezing as a symptom)
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with wheezing?
Because it is a key herb in Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' (a pattern with wheezing as a symptom)
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 Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with wheezing?
Because it is a key herb in Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' (a pattern with wheezing 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 Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with wheezing?
Because it is a key herb in Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' (a pattern with wheezing as a symptom)
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 Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with wheezing?
Because it is a key herb in Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs' (a pattern with wheezing as a symptom)
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Other symptoms often associated with wheezing
Coughing Asthma Stifling sensation in the chest Shortness of breath Insomnia Carbuncles Dyspnea Impotence Dizziness Fatigue