Yellowish Phlegmaccording to TCM

What is Yellowish Phlegm?

Yellowish phlegm, also known as golden-colored sputum or yellow mucus, is a type of sputum that can indicate an underlying health condition, particularly when associated with respiratory issues. This symptom is characterized by the presence of yellow or golden-colored mucus that is often expelled through coughing. Yellowish phlegm can be accompanied by various sub-symptoms such as copious thick yellow sputum or a cough with thin yellow sputum. It is important to note that yellowish phlegm is a specific form of sputum, which in general refers to mucus expelled from the respiratory tract.

How Does TCM View Yellowish Phlegm?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), yellowish phlegm is viewed through the lens of different patterns of disharmony within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which may attribute yellowish phlegm to bacterial or viral infections, TCM considers it a manifestation of internal imbalances.

These imbalances can result from various factors such as Heat, Wind, or Dampness affecting the body's organ systems. Identifying the correct pattern of disharmony is crucial for effective treatment, as the approach will vary depending on the underlying cause.

Root Causes of Yellowish Phlegm in TCM

In TCM, yellowish phlegm is often linked to patterns involving Heat and Wind, which can present with symptoms such as yellow mucus, aversion to cold, fever, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, occipital stiffness, and excessive sweating. This pattern suggests an invasion of external wind combined with internal heat, leading to the production of yellowish phlegm.

Another pattern is Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, characterized by symptoms like thick yellow sputum, cough, chest tightness, and a feeling of heat in the chest. This pattern indicates that internal heat has combined with phlegm, obstructing the lungs and causing yellowish phlegm.

Explore below more details about what might cause Yellowish phlegm 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 Yellowish Phlegm

Common Symptoms: Copious Thick Yellow Sputum Thirst Fever Coughing Shortness Of Breath Chronic Bronchitis Asthma Aversion To Cold

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Wind-Heat Yellow mucus, Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm... see more Yin Qiao San | Sang Ju Yin | Cong Chi Tang | Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang | Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang | Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang | Xiao Feng San | Fang Feng Tong Sheng San | Bing Peng San | Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin | Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Phlegm-Heat Coughing and wheezing with copious thick and yellow sputum, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum, Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression Ding Chuan Tang | Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan | Wen Dan Tang | Gun Tan Wan
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Head and body heaviness, Dizziness, Copious thick yellow sputum... see more Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan | Wen Dan Tang | Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang | Er Chen Tang | Qing Xin Li Ge Tang | Ren Shen Ge Jie San | Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin | Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum, Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Copious thick yellow sputum, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, Thirst, Tonsil swelling... see more Yin Qiao San | Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Lung Heat Cough with thin yellow sputum, Feeling of heat, Thirst, High fever, Shortness of breath, Excessive sweating, Acne... see more Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan | Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang | Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin | Xie Bai San | Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Wind-Cold invading the Interior with Phelgm-Heat Coughing and wheezing with copious thick and yellow sputum, Shortness of breath, Copious thick yellow sputum, Chronic bronchitis, Asthma, Bronchiolitis, Bronchial asthma... see more Ding Chuan Tang
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum, Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Copious thick yellow sputum... see more Wen Dan Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Yellowish Phlegm

TCM offers various formulas and herbs to treat yellowish phlegm based on the identified pattern of disharmony. For the Wind-Heat pattern, formulas such as Yin Qiao San and Sang Ju Yin are commonly recommended. Yin Qiao San, which includes Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua), is known for its ability to clear heat and relieve toxicity. Sang Ju Yin, containing Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), is effective in clearing Wind-Heat and alleviating symptoms associated with yellowish phlegm.

For the Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs pattern, herbs like Scutellaria Root (Huang Qin) and Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou) are often used to clear heat, resolve phlegm, and restore lung function. These treatments aim to address the root cause of the phlegm production, ensuring a comprehensive approach to alleviating yellowish phlegm.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address yellowish phlegm, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type

All Formulas Recommended for Yellowish Phlegm Caused by Heat

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan Phlegm-Heat, Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Lung Heat
Wen Dan Tang Phlegm-Heat, Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat... see more
Yin Qiao San Wind-Heat, Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan Wind-Heat, Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Ding Chuan Tang Wind-Cold invading the Interior with Phelgm-Heat, Phlegm-Heat
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Lung Heat
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Lung Heat
Sang Ju Yin Wind-Heat
Cong Chi Tang Wind-Heat
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang Wind-Heat
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang Wind-Heat
Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang Wind-Heat
Xiao Feng San Wind-Heat
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San Wind-Heat
Bing Peng San Wind-Heat
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin Wind-Heat
Gun Tan Wan Phlegm-Heat
Er Chen Tang Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Qing Xin Li Ge Tang Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Ren Shen Ge Jie San Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
Xie Bai San Lung Heat
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang Lung Heat

Acupoints for Yellowish Phlegm

See more details below about Chize LU-5, an acupoint used to address yellowish phlegm.

  • By Meridian
  • Lung Channel
Chize LU-5

Chize LU-5

On the cubital crease, on the redial aspect of the biceps tendon. It can be easily identified when the elbow is slightly flexed.

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