Symptom family: Vocal Cord and Voice Disorders
Did you mean? Weak Voice
A hoarse voice, or raspy voice, is a condition characterized by an abnormal change in the voice, making it sound breathy, strained, or lower in pitch. This condition can result from various factors, including overuse of the vocal cords, infections, inflammation, or other underlying health issues.
In more severe cases, it may indicate a serious condition affecting the throat or vocal cords. Recognizing the underlying cause is essential for proper treatment and management.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives a hoarse voice as a manifestation of disharmony within the body's energy system, particularly involving the Lung and Kidney meridians.
According to TCM, the voice's strength and clarity are closely linked to the health of the Qi, Yin, and Yang within these organ systems. Identifying the specific pattern of imbalance causing the hoarse voice is crucial in TCM, as it guides the treatment strategy, whether through herbal medicine, acupuncture, or other therapeutic methods.
In TCM, a hoarse voice is commonly attributed to patterns of Yin Deficiency and Dryness affecting the Lung system. Lung Yin Deficiency might present symptoms such as a persistently hoarse voice, an itchy throat, and a reluctance to speak, indicating a lack of nourishing fluids in the Lung.
Another pattern, Lung Dryness, can manifest as a hoarse voice accompanied by a dry cough and throat, skin dryness, and thirst, reflecting an imbalance in the body's fluids. These patterns illustrate how TCM delves beyond the symptom to address the root cause of the hoarse voice.
Explore below more details about what might cause Hoarse voice according to TCM.
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
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Lung Yin Deficiency | Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Reluctance to speak, Thin chest | Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang | Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang | Bu Fei E Jiao Tang | Jiu Xian San |
"Dampness" in TCM is a concept that describes a pattern of disharmony where the body accumulates excess moisture. Imagine the heavy, sticky feeling you get on a very humid day; that's similar to what dampness feels like internally. It can manifest as a sense of heaviness, bloating, sluggishness, or even a foggy mind. This condition is often thought to arise from environmental factors like living in a damp place, dietary habits that promote moisture in the body, or internal imbalances that hinder the body's ability to process fluids properly. In TCM, dampness can obstruct the normal flow of energy and fluids in the body, leading to various symptoms.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Lung Dryness | Hoarse voice, Dry cough, Dry throat, Skin dryness, Thirst | Bai He Gu Jin Tang |
"Dryness" in TCM refers to a state where there is a lack of moisture in the body, much like how the land feels during a drought. It's a pattern of disharmony that can arise from external factors like dry weather or internal issues, such as insufficient fluid intake or certain lifestyle habits. When your body experiences this dryness, you might notice symptoms like dry skin, a scratchy throat, dry eyes, or even constipation. It's similar to the feeling of being parched or having dry, chapped lips in a very dry climate. TCM views this as an imbalance where the body's yin - often associated with moisture and cooling - is depleted.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Lung Dryness | Hoarse voice, Dry cough, Dry throat, Skin dryness, Thirst | Bai He Gu Jin Tang |
In TCM the Lungs are seen as the organ responsible for controlling Qi and respiration, as well as being a key part of the body's defensive system. They are thought to maintain the balance and flow of air and moisture, and are closely linked to the skin and hair. When the Lungs are imbalanced or malfunctioning in TCM, it can lead to respiratory issues like coughing or asthma, a weakened immune system, dry skin, and emotional disturbances such as sadness or grief. These symptoms are believed to arise from disruptions in the Lungs' ability to regulate Qi and protect the body, highlighting their central role in maintaining overall health and well-being.... see more
Common Symptoms: Dry Cough Dry Throat Skin Dryness Thirst Itchy Throat Reluctance To Speak Thin Chest Weak Voice
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Lung Dryness | Hoarse voice, Dry cough, Dry throat, Skin dryness, Thirst | Bai He Gu Jin Tang |
Lung Yin Deficiency | Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Reluctance to speak, Thin chest | Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang | Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang | Bu Fei E Jiao Tang | Jiu Xian San |
To address the underlying causes of hoarse voice, TCM recommends specific formulas and herbs that target the patterns of disharmony. For Lung Yin Deficiency, Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, which includes Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang), enriches Yin and moistens Dryness, thereby alleviating hoarseness.
For symptoms of Lung Dryness, Bai He Gu Jin Tang, featuring Lily Bulbs (Bai He), nourishes Yin and tonifies the Lungs, offering relief for the hoarse voice. These formulas exemplify TCM's holistic approach, focusing on restoring balance and health to the entire body.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address hoarse voice, organized by cause and by formula type.
Suitable for Yin Deficiency patterns that may cause hoarse voice, such as Lung Yin Deficiency
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang | Lung Yin Deficiency |
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang | Lung Yin Deficiency |
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang | Lung Yin Deficiency |
Jiu Xian San | Lung Yin Deficiency |
Suitable for Dampness patterns that may cause hoarse voice, such as Lung Dryness
Learn moreSuitable for Dryness patterns that may cause hoarse voice, such as Lung Dryness
Learn moreThese formulas are suitable for some hoarse voice-causing patterns like Lung Dryness.
One such formula is Bai He Gu Jin Tang, with lily bulb as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Bai He Gu Jin Tang | Lung Dryness |
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang | Lung Yin Deficiency |
These formulas are suitable for some hoarse voice-causing patterns like Lung Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, with unprepared rehmannia as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some hoarse voice-causing patterns like Lung Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, with mulberry leaves as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some hoarse voice-causing patterns like Lung Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Jiu Xian San, with poppy capsule as a key herb.
Acupuncture is another pillar of TCM treatment for hoarse voice, with specific acupoints aimed at alleviating the symptoms by restoring the flow of Qi and balancing Yin and Yang. Futu LI-18, located on the lateral side of the neck, benefits the throat and voice while resolving Phlegm.
Another vital point, Tiantu REN-22, situated in the center of the suprasternal fossa, descends Lung Qi and benefits the throat, further illustrating the interconnectedness of TCM's approach to treating hoarse voice.
Explore below some acupoints used to address hoarse voice, organized by meridian.
On the lateral side of the neck, level with the tip of Adam's apple, between the sternal head and clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid muscle.
In the centre of the suprasternal fossa. 0.5 cun superior to the sternum.