Symptom family: Respiratory Secretions

Did you mean? Bloody Sputum

What is cough of blood?

Cough of blood, also known as hemoptysis or spitting blood, refers to the presence of blood in the sputum that is expelled through coughing. This condition can be alarming and is often indicative of underlying respiratory or systemic issues. The blood can vary in color from bright red to rust-colored, depending on the source and duration of bleeding. Common causes include infections, chronic lung diseases, pulmonary embolism, or even malignancies. It is crucial to identify the root cause to ensure appropriate treatment and management.

How does TCM view cough of blood?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cough of blood is seen as a symptom arising from various patterns of disharmony within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on identifying the specific disease causing the symptom, TCM emphasizes understanding the underlying imbalances. These imbalances can be due to factors such as Heat in the Blood, Wind, or Deficiency in the body's Yin or Blood. Identifying the correct pattern is essential for effective treatment, as each pattern requires a different therapeutic approach.

Root Causes of Cough Of Blood in TCM

One common TCM pattern associated with cough of blood is Heat in the Blood. This pattern is characterized by symptoms such as feeling of heat, red skin eruptions, frequent bleeding, and bloody sputum. Heat in the Blood can result from various factors, including prolonged exposure to heat or internal imbalances that cause blood to become overheated and move recklessly.

Another pattern is the invasion of external Wind Cold with Internal Heat, marked by symptoms like high fever, severe chills, lack of sweating, and flushed face. This pattern occurs when external cold pathogens invade the body and transform into internal heat, leading to blood being expelled through the lungs. Understanding these patterns helps in tailoring treatments that address the root causes of cough of blood in TCM.

Explore below more details about what might cause Cough of blood according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
Detailed description of the cause

Heat

In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more

Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Cough Of Blood

Common Symptoms: Thirst Nosebleeds Irritability Flushed Face Vomiting Blood Dark Urine Dry Stools Bitter Taste In The Mouth

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Heat in the Blood Cough of blood, Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation... see more Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Gu Jing Wan | Shi Hui San | Bai He Di Huang Tang | Hua Ban Tang | Qing Ying Tang | Qing Re Gu Jing Tang
Wind Cold with Internal Heat Coughing blood, High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Dry nose, Thirst, Irritability, Insomnia, Cough of blood, Mottled skin... see more Shi Gao Tang
Liver Fire Blazing Haemoptysis, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Thirst, Bitter taste in the mouth, Vivid dreaming, Constipation, Dry stools, Dark urine, Nosebleeds, Cough of blood, Vomiting blood... see more Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Dang Gui Long Hui Wan | Xie Qing Wan
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire Haemoptysis, Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Thirst, Bitter taste in the mouth, Vivid dreaming, Constipation, Dry stools, Dark urine, Nosebleeds, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood... see more Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang | Zi Xue Dan | Feng Yin Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Cough Of Blood

TCM treatment for cough of blood involves using specific formulas and herbs tailored to the patient’s underlying pattern. For Heat in the Blood, Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang is commonly used. This formula includes Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), which cools the blood and stops bleeding.

For Wind Cold with Internal Heat, Shi Gao Tang is recommended. This formula contains Gypsum (Shi Gao), which helps clear heat and purge fire. The choice of formula depends on the specific pattern diagnosed, highlighting the personalized nature of TCM treatments.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address cough of blood, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type

All Formulas Recommended for Cough Of Blood Caused by Heat

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang Heat in the Blood
Gu Jing Wan Heat in the Blood
Shi Hui San Heat in the Blood
Bai He Di Huang Tang Heat in the Blood
Hua Ban Tang Heat in the Blood
Qing Ying Tang Heat in the Blood
Qing Re Gu Jing Tang Heat in the Blood
Shi Gao Tang Wind Cold with Internal Heat
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Liver Fire Blazing
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan Liver Fire Blazing
Xie Qing Wan Liver Fire Blazing
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Zi Xue Dan Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Feng Yin Tang Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire

Acupoints for Cough Of Blood

In TCM, specific acupoints are used to treat cough of blood by addressing the underlying disharmony. Fengmen (BL-12) on the Bladder Channel, located 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra, helps expel exterior wind and strengthen Defensive Qi.

Another important acupoint is Kongzui (LU-6) on the Lung Channel, located on the palmar aspect of the forearm, 7 cun above Taiyuan (LU-9). This point regulates and descends Lung Qi, clears Lung Heat, and cools Blood Heat. Laogong (P-8) on the Pericardium Channel, located in the center of the palm, clears Heart Fire and calms the mind. These acupoints, when used in combination, help to address the root causes of cough of blood in TCM.

Explore below some acupoints used to address cough of blood, organized by meridian.

  • By Meridian
  • Bladder Channel
  • Pericardium Channel
  • Directing Vessel
Fengmen BL-12

Fengmen BL-12

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra (T2).

Geshu BL-17

Geshu BL-17

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra (T7).

Ganshu BL-18

Ganshu BL-18

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra (T9).

Gaohuangshu BL-43

Gaohuangshu BL-43

3 cun (about 4 finger-breadths) lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra (T4).

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