Dry Mouth And Throat At Nightaccording to TCM

Symptom family: Oral Dryness

What is Dry Mouth and Throat at Night?

Dry mouth and throat at night, medically termed nocturnal xerostomia, is a condition where an individual experiences a significant decrease in saliva production during sleep. This can lead to discomfort, a parched throat, and difficulties in swallowing or speaking upon waking.

It's not uncommon for this to coincide with bad breath and an increased risk of dental issues, as saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by neutralizing acids and washing away food particles.

How Does TCM View Dry Mouth and Throat at Night?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets dry mouth and throat at night as a symptom often related to a deficiency or imbalance within the body's organ systems. Rather than viewing it as a standalone issue, TCM considers it a sign of deeper disharmony, such as patterns of Yin Deficiency or internal Heat.

Correctly identifying the involved pattern is critical in TCM, as this directs the practitioner to the most appropriate and effective treatment methods to replenish Body Fluids and restore balance.

Root Causes of Dry Mouth And Throat At Night in TCM

In TCM, dry mouth and throat at night are commonly associated with Yin Deficiency patterns, where the cooling, moistening aspects of the body's constitution are depleted. This can stem from various factors, including stress, poor diet, or overwork.

Kidney Yin Deficiency, for instance, might lead to dryness, back pain, and nocturnal sweating. Another pattern, Lesser Yin Heat Transformation, suggests an imbalance of Heat in the body, often presenting with symptoms such as night sweats and a sensation of heat in the evening. TCM treatments aim to nourish the Yin and clear the Heat, providing relief from dryness.

Explore below more details about what might cause Dry mouth and throat at night according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat
Detailed description of the cause

Yin Deficiency

Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more

Yin Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Dry Mouth And Throat At Night

Common Symptoms: Night Sweats Insomnia Scanty And Dark Urine Anxiety Flushed Cheekbones Preference For Sipping Dizziness Restlessness

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency Dry mouth and throat at night, Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety... see more Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zuo Gui Wan | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan | Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang | Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Lesser Yin Heat Transformation Dry mouth and throat at night, Feeling of heat, Irritability, Insomnia, Dark urine, Night sweats Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Yin Deficiency Dry mouth and throat at night, Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy, Scanty and dark urine, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Pain relieved by pressure and cold, Preference for sipping... see more Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zuo Gui Wan | Mu Li San | Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency Dry throat at night, Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Hot palms and soles, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones... see more Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Suan Zao Ren Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Dry Mouth And Throat At Night

For conditions linked to Yin Deficiency and Heat, TCM relies on herbal formulas to nourish and cool the body. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and Zuo Gui Wan are two classic formulas used to replenish Kidney Yin and alleviate symptoms like dry mouth.

For addressing Heat, such as that from Lesser Yin Heat Transformation, Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, with its cooling herbs like Goldthread Rhizomes, is typically prescribed. These formulas exemplify TCM's approach, focusing on restoring the delicate balance of Yin and Yang within the body to treat symptoms like dry mouth and throat.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address dry mouth and throat at night, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat

All Formulas Recommended for Dry Mouth And Throat At Night Caused by Yin Deficiency

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency, Yin Deficiency
Zuo Gui Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency, Yin Deficiency
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang Lesser Yin Heat Transformation, Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang Kidney Yin Deficiency
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Mu Li San Yin Deficiency
Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang Yin Deficiency
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Suan Zao Ren Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency

TCM Herbs for Dry Mouth And Throat At Night

Explore below some TCM herbs used to address dry mouth and throat at night, organized by herb category.

  • By Herb Category
  • Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
  • Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
  • Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness

"Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency" recommended for dry mouth and throat at night

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Zuo Gui Wan | Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan | Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang
Fleeceflower Roots (He Shou Wu) Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang

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