Symptom families: Respiratory Secretions, Cough Related Symptoms
Parent symptom: Sputum
Sub-symptom(s): Coughing With Blood Streaked Sputum
Did you mean? Cough Of Blood
Bloody sputum refers to the presence of blood in the phlegm produced from the respiratory tract, typically expelled by coughing. This symptom can range from small streaks of blood to larger amounts mixed with mucus.
Bloody sputum can be an indicator of various conditions, from minor irritations in the respiratory system to more serious diseases. It's important for such symptoms to be evaluated by healthcare professionals to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets bloody sputum as a sign of internal disharmony, often associated with patterns of Heat or Blood disorders.
In TCM, symptoms like bloody sputum are not seen in isolation but as part of a larger pattern of imbalance within the body. The approach is to identify and address the root cause based on individual diagnosis, often involving a combination of herbal remedies, acupuncture, and dietary adjustments to restore balance and health.
In TCM, bloody sputum is commonly associated with two primary patterns: Heat in the Blood and Loss of Blood. The Heat in the Blood pattern is characterized by symptoms like feeling hot, red skin eruptions, thirst, and frequent bleeding episodes, indicating an excess heat condition in the Blood.
Conversely, the Loss of Blood pattern involves symptoms such as nosebleeds, uterine hemorrhage, and excessive menstruation, pointing to a Deficiency or Loss of Blood in the body. Both patterns reflect a significant disturbance in the body’s natural balance, requiring targeted treatment strategies.
Explore below more details about what might cause Bloody sputum according to TCM.
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
Common Symptoms: Night Sweats Thirst Anxiety Insomnia Restlessness Dry Mouth Dry Stools Dry Throat
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Heat in the Blood | Bloody sputum, Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of 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 |
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency | Coughing with blood-streaked sputum, 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 | Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Suan Zao Ren Tang |
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire | Coughing with blood-streaked sputum, Wheezing, Dry throat, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis... see more | Bai He Gu Jin Tang |
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
Common Symptoms: Hot Palms And Soles Night Sweats Wheezing Dry Throat Chronic Bronchitis Chronic Pharyngitis Spontaneous Pneumothorax Cor Pulmonale
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency | Coughing with blood-streaked sputum, 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 | Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Suan Zao Ren Tang |
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire | Coughing with blood-streaked sputum, Wheezing, Dry throat, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis... see more | Bai He Gu Jin Tang |
Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Loss of Blood | Bloody sputum, Nosebleeds, Uterine hemorrhage, Hematuria, Hematochezia, Cough of blood, Vomiting blood, Dark menstrual clots, Excessive menstruation... see more | Xi Jiao Di Huang 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
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire | Coughing with blood-streaked sputum, Wheezing, Dry throat, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis... see more | Bai He Gu Jin Tang |
In TCM the Kidneys are regarded as the body's most fundamental reservoir of Essence, known as Jing, which influences growth, reproduction, and aging. They are not just organs for filtering blood, but a holistic system governing vital life forces. When the Kidneys malfunction in TCM, it can manifest as a variety of health issues, such as chronic fatigue, reproductive problems, imbalances in fluid metabolism leading to edema or dryness, lower back pain, and a sense of fear or insecurity.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire | Coughing with blood-streaked sputum, Wheezing, Dry throat, Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis... see more | Bai He Gu Jin Tang |
For addressing the Heat in the Blood pattern, TCM recommends formulas like Hua Ban Tang, which contains Gypsum (Shi Gao) and is aimed at clearing heat from Qi and Blood. Another formula, Qing Ying Tang, which includes Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), is used for clearing nutritive-level Heat and cooling the Blood.
For the Loss of Blood pattern, Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, also containing Water Buffalo Horns, is prescribed. These formulas are tailored to the individual’s specific TCM pattern diagnosis, targeting the underlying imbalance causing bloody sputum.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address bloody sputum, organized by cause and by formula type.
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause bloody sputum, such as Heat in the Blood
Learn moreFormula | 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 |
Bai He Gu Jin Tang | Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire |
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suan Zao Ren Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suitable for Yin Deficiency patterns that may cause bloody sputum, such as Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Learn moreFormula | Patterns Suitable For |
---|---|
Bai He Gu Jin Tang | Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire |
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suan Zao Ren Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause bloody sputum, such as Loss of Blood
Learn moreThese formulas are suitable for some bloody sputum-causing patterns like Heat in the Blood.
One such formula is Bai He Di Huang 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 Di Huang Tang | Heat in the Blood |
Qing Re Gu Jing Tang | Heat in the Blood |
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 |
These formulas are suitable for some bloody sputum-causing patterns like Heat in the Blood or Loss of Blood.
One such formula is Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Heat in the Blood, Loss of Blood |
Qing Ying Tang | Heat in the Blood |
These formulas are suitable for some bloody sputum-causing patterns like Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
---|---|
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
Suan Zao Ren Tang | Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency |
These formulas are suitable for some bloody sputum-causing patterns like Heat in the Blood.
One such formula is Gu Jing Wan, with tortoise plastron as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some bloody sputum-causing patterns like Heat in the Blood.
One such formula is Shi Hui San, with japanese thistle as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some bloody sputum-causing patterns like Heat in the Blood.
One such formula is Hua Ban Tang, with gypsum as a key herb.
These formulas are suitable for some bloody sputum-causing patterns like Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire.
One such formula is Bai He Gu Jin Tang, with lily bulb as a key herb.
Explore below some acupoints used to address bloody sputum, organized by meridian.
In the 1st intercostal space, on the mammillary line, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
In the 2nd intercostal space, on the mammillary line, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Posterior and inferior to the medial malleolus, in the depression medial to the Achilles tendon, superior to its insertion at the calcaneus.
On the lateral aspect of the chest, in the 1st intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the midline, 1 cun inferior to Yunmen LU-2. Below the acromial extremity of the clavicle, slightly medial to the lower border of the coracoid process.