Acute Bronchitisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Respiratory Disorders and Symptoms
Parent symptom: Bronchitis
What is acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It is characterized by a persistent cough, production of mucus (sputum), and sometimes difficulty breathing. The condition is typically caused by viral infections, similar to those that cause colds and flu, but can also result from bacterial infections or exposure to irritants such as tobacco smoke, dust, or pollutants. Symptoms usually last for a few days to weeks, but the cough may linger for several weeks even after the infection has resolved.
How does TCM view acute bronchitis?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acute bronchitis is seen as a manifestation of underlying patterns of disharmony within the body. TCM practitioners believe that various factors, such as imbalances in Qi, the presence of Phlegm, and external pathogens like Wind and Cold, can contribute to the development of bronchitis.
Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on treating the infection and symptoms, TCM aims to identify and address the root cause of these imbalances to restore harmony and promote overall health.
Causes of acute bronchitis according to TCM
One common TCM pattern associated with acute bronchitis is Phlegm Misting the Heart, characterized by symptoms such as a heavy, oppressive sensation in the chest, coughing with copious sputum, and a foggy mind. This pattern often results from the body's inability to properly transform and expel fluids, leading to the accumulation of Phlegm.
Another relevant pattern is Wind-Cold invading the Lungs, marked by symptoms like chills, fever, coughing with clear or white mucus, and a scratchy throat. This pattern occurs when external wind and cold pathogens invade the lungs, disrupting the normal flow of qi and leading to inflammation and mucus production. Understanding these patterns helps tailor treatments that address the root causes of acute bronchitis in TCM.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Acute Bronchitis
TCM treatment for acute bronchitis involves using specific formulas and herbs tailored to the patient’s underlying pattern. For Phlegm Misting the Heart, a commonly recommended formula is Di Tan Tang. This formula includes key herbs such as Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing), which helps dispel Phlegm and open the heart vessels.
For Wind-Cold invading the Lungs, Jin Fei Cao San is often used. This formula contains Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua), which helps clear Wind-Cold and transform Phlegm, making it easier to breathe. The choice of formula depends on the specific pattern diagnosed, highlighting the personalized nature of TCM treatments.
Additional formulas for acute bronchitis include Gun Tan Wan for patterns involving Phlegm-Heat, Mai Men Dong Tang for Lung Yin Deficiency, and Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang for Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire. These formulas use herbs like Chlorite Schist (Meng Shi), Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong), and Mulberry leaves (Sang Ye) to address specific imbalances and support respiratory health. Through careful diagnosis and tailored treatments, TCM offers a comprehensive approach to managing acute bronchitis and improving overall well-being.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address acute bronchitis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that dispel phlegm
- Formulas that clear heat and transform phlegm
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness
- Formulas that disperse dryness and moisten
- Formulas that clear dryness
- Formulas that transform phlegm and extinguish wind
Formulas that dispel Phlegm
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these formulas when it is linked to phlegm accumulation, affecting respiratory and other body functions.
One such formula is Di Tan Tang, with arisaema as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and transform Phlegm
Acute bronchitis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and transform Phlegm if it is linked to heat leading to phlegm accumulation.
One such formula is Gun Tan Wan, with chlorite schist as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Jin Fei Cao San, with inula flower as a key herb.
Formulas that enrich Yin and moisten Dryness
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to a deficiency in Yin leading to dryness, calling for nourishing Yin and moistening actions.
One such formula is Mai Men Dong Tang, with dwarf lilyturf root as a key herb.
Formulas that disperse Dryness and moisten
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these formulas when caused by dryness that impairs the body's moisture balance, necessitating herbs that moisten and alleviate dryness.
One such formula is Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, with mulberry leaves as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Dryness
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these formulas if it is caused by dryness affecting the body.
One such formula is Sang Xing Tang, with mulberry leaves as a key herb.
Formulas that transform Phlegm and extinguish Wind
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to phlegm causing internal wind symptoms, such as tremors or dizziness.
One such formula is Zhi Sou San, with aster root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Acute Bronchitis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address acute bronchitis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Cool herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for yin deficiency
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these herbs when it originates from obstructions in the lung pathways, helping to ease respiratory discomfort and restore normal breathing.
One such herb is Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute bronchitis, like Sang Xing Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing" recommended for acute bronchitis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren) | Sang Xing Tang |
| Aster Roots (Zi Wan) | Zhi Sou San |
| Stemona Roots (Bai Bu) | Zhi Sou San |
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute bronchitis, like Di Tan Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough" recommended for acute bronchitis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing) | Di Tan Tang |
| Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua) | Jin Fei Cao San |
Herbs that regulate Qi
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Red Tangerine Peel (Ju Hong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute bronchitis, like Di Tan Tang.
Cool herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these herbs when it is related to heat-phlegm accumulation, aiding in dissolving phlegm and soothing the respiratory system.
One such herb is Chlorite Schist (Meng Shi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute bronchitis, like Gun Tan Wan.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Ephedra (Ma Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute bronchitis, like Jin Fei Cao San.
Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these herbs when caused by a lack of Yin, which is essential for cooling and moistening the body, thereby restoring balance.
One such herb is Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute bronchitis, like Mai Men Dong Tang.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute bronchitis, like Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Acute bronchitis can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute bronchitis, like Sang Xing Tang.