Whooping cough 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.
pertussis redirects here
Whooping cough 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 whooping cough 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 whooping cough is often associated with palpitations and coughing in the pattern “Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause whooping cough.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of whooping cough 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 whooping cough.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause whooping cough
In Chinese Medicine whooping cough is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Kansui Roots (Gan Sui) is the king ingredient for Shi Zao Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is when Phlegm-Fluids clogs up the chest and hypochondriac regions, producing chest pain, cough and shortness of breath.
In addition to whooping cough, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium include palpitations and coughing.
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium is often treated with Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Kansui Roots - Gan Sui - as a key herb). Shi Zao Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that drive out excess water", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Purges and drives out Phlegm-Fluids".
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Exterior Heat and Dryness invades the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. It eventually leads to Lung Yin Deficiency, if not intervened for a long time.
In addition to whooping cough, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include dry cough and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Lung Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Lung Yin Deficiency is often treated with Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
Five herbal formulas that might help with whooping cough
Shi Zao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges and drives out Phlegm-Fluids.
Why might Shi Zao Tang help with whooping cough?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium' of which pertussis is a symptom.
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Source date: the 18th century
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Improves throat. Resolves toxicity. Clears the Lungs.
Why might Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang help with whooping cough?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which pertussis is a symptom.
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Source date: 1658 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears dryness. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang help with whooping cough?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which pertussis is a symptom.
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Controls coughing. Stops bleeding. Tonifies the Lungs.
Why might Bu Fei E Jiao Tang help with whooping cough?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which pertussis is a symptom.
Jiu Xian San
Source date: Yuan dynasty
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.
Why might Jiu Xian San help with whooping cough?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which pertussis is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat whooping cough
Why might Genkwa Flower (Yuan Hua) help with whooping cough?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium' (a pattern with whooping cough as a symptom)
Genkwa Flowers is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves chronic congestion of Fluids in the chest and stops cough. Drains congested Fluids through the urine and the stool. Expels parasites.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with whooping cough?
Because it is a key herb in Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with whooping cough as a symptom)
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Peking Spurge Root (Jing Da Ji) help with whooping cough?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium' (a pattern with whooping cough as a symptom)
Peking Spurge Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains water downward and drives out Phlegm-Fluids. Reduces swellings and dispels lumps.
Why might Kansui Root (Gan Sui) help with whooping cough?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium' (a pattern with whooping cough as a symptom)
Kansui Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves water retention and congestion of Fluids. Cools swellings and reduces inflammation when applied topically. Strong purgative, driving water and Food Stagnation out though the stool.
Why might Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with whooping cough?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium' (a pattern with whooping cough 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 whooping cough
Diarrhea Palpitations Coughing Dry cough Asthma Urinary incontinence Dysentery Intestinal parasites Abnormal uterine bleeding Loss of appetite