Cough
咳嗽
Persistent or recurrent coughing that may be dry or productive.
Quick Facts
| Health Topic | Respiratory Care |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Coughing, Persistent cough, Chronic cough, Tickly cough, Hacking cough |
| Common Symptoms | A repeated or persistent cough, either dry or bringing up phlegm. Often comes with throat irritation, a tight or aching chest, a hoarse voice, or disturbed sleep. May be worse at night, on lying down, or on exposure to cold air. |
| Related TCM Patterns | Wind-Cold · Wind-Heat · Lung Heat · Phlegm-Heat · Qi Deficiency |
| Related Classical Formulas |
Ma Xing Shi Gan TangMa Huang TangSang Ju YinXing Su SanYin Qiao SanDa Qing Long TangBai Du SanShen Su YinXiao Qing Long TangJing Fang Bai Du SanShe Gan Ma Huang TangGui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi TangHua Gai SanZhi Sou SanDing Chuan TangXie Bai SanQing Fei TangJin Fei Cao SanNing Sou WanPai Nong TangShen Mi Tang
|
| Related Articles | Cough: Syndrome Differentiation and Daily Care |
Cough in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cough is not read as a single condition with a single answer. The same cough may be understood through different patterns, and it is the pattern, not the symptom, that the classical formulas are matched to. Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat and Lung Heat are three of the patterns a cough may be associated with. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying features rather than the cough on its own: whether it is dry or productive, the colour and thickness of any phlegm, whether there is fever, chills, thirst or a sore throat, and when in the day the cough is worst.
TCM Patterns Associated With Cough
The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.
| Pattern | Common Features | Related Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Wind-Cold風寒證Exterior Patterns | Chills that outweigh the fever, no sweating, a stuffy or runny nose with clear discharge, an itchy or scratchy throat rather than a sore one, body aches, and a cough with thin white phlegm. Symptoms often start abruptly after exposure to cold or wind. Tongue with a thin white coating; pulse floating and tight. | |
| Wind-Heat風熱證Exterior Patterns | Fever that is more noticeable than chills, mild sweating, sore throat, thirst, and a cough that may be dry or with yellow phlegm. The onset is often abrupt after exposure to wind or heat. Nasal discharge can turn yellow, and the face may look flushed. Tongue tip red with a thin yellow coating; pulse floating and rapid. | |
| Lung Heat肺熱證Heat Patterns | Cough with yellow or sticky phlegm, thirst, a feeling of heat in the chest, and possible shortness of breath or flaring of the nostrils in stronger presentations. Fever may be present without marked chills, and the throat can feel sore or dry. Tongue red with a yellow coating; pulse rapid, possibly slippery. | |
| Phlegm-Heat痰熱證Phlegm Patterns | Yellow or sticky phlegm that is hard to expectorate, chest tightness, and a sense of heat or restlessness. There may be a bitter taste, thirst, and constipation or dark urine when heat is marked. Cough can be forceful with a rattling sound. Tongue red with a yellow greasy coating; pulse slippery and rapid. | |
| Qi Deficiency氣虛證Deficiency Patterns | Easy fatigue, shortness of breath on mild effort, a soft or low voice, and spontaneous sweating with light activity. The complexion is often pale, and recovery after exertion is slow. There may be a tendency to catch external pathogens more easily. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty. |
Classical Formulas Traditionally Associated
Associated with 21 classical formulas
Listed for study. Which formula fits, if any, depends on the pattern rather than the symptom.
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
麻杏石甘湯 · Má Xìng Shí Gān Tāng
Lung HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasMa Huang Tang
麻黃湯 · Má Huáng Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasSang Ju Yin
桑菊飲 · Sāng Jú Yǐn
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasXing Su San
杏蘇散 · Xìng Sū Sǎn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasYin Qiao San
銀翹散 · Yín Qiào Sǎn
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasDa Qing Long Tang
大青龍湯 · Dà Qīng Lóng Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasBai Du San
敗毒散 · Bài Dú Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasShen Su Yin
參蘇飲 · Shēn Sū Yǐn
Qi DeficiencyExterior-Releasing FormulasXiao Qing Long Tang
小青龍湯 · Xiǎo Qīng Lóng Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasJing Fang Bai Du San
荊防敗毒散 · Jīng Fáng Bài Dú Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasShe Gan Ma Huang Tang
射干麻黃湯 · Shè Gān Má Huáng Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasGui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi Tang
桂枝加厚朴杏子湯 · Guì Zhī Jiā Hòu Pò Xìng Zǐ Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasHua Gai San
華蓋散 · Huá Gài Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasZhi Sou San
止嗽散 · Zhǐ Sòu Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasDing Chuan Tang
定喘湯 · Dìng Chuǎn Tāng
Phlegm-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasXie Bai San
瀉白散 · Xiè Bái Sàn
Lung HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasQing Fei Tang
清肺湯 · Qīng Fèi Tāng
Lung HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasJin Fei Cao San
金沸草散 · Jīn Fèi Cǎo Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasNing Sou Wan
寧嗽丸 · Níng Sòu Wán
Phlegm-DampnessPhlegm-Resolving FormulasPai Nong Tang
排膿湯 · Pái Nóng Tāng
Phlegm-HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasShen Mi Tang
神秘湯 · Shén Mì Tāng
Qi StagnationQi-Regulating FormulasLearn More About Cough
Related Health Topic
Respiratory Care — Formulas supporting lung function, respiratory comfort, and recovery from external contractions.
Health Topic
See all Respiratory Care conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine understand cough?
In TCM, cough is mainly caused by impaired Lung Qi diffusion and descent, leading to rebellious Qi upward. It is closely related to the Lung, and also involves the Spleen, Liver and Kidney. External factors (Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Dryness) or internal factors (Phlegm-Damp, Phlegm-Heat, Yin deficiency, Liver Fire) can trigger it. Accurate pattern differentiation is the foundation of treatment.
What are the common TCM patterns of cough?
Common patterns include Wind-Cold invading the Lung (white thin sputum, aversion to cold), Wind-Heat invading the Lung (yellow sticky sputum, sore throat), Dryness damaging the Lung (dry cough, little sputum), Phlegm-Damp accumulating in the Lung (abundant white sticky sputum), Phlegm-Heat in the Lung, and Lung Yin deficiency (dry cough with night sweats). Each requires different treatment principles.
How does treatment differ between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat cough?
Wind-Cold cough is treated by dispersing Wind-Cold and diffusing Lung Qi (e.g., San Ao Tang combined with Zhi Sou San). Wind-Heat cough requires dispersing Wind-Heat and clearing the Lung (e.g., Sang Ju Yin). Using cooling herbs for a cold pattern or warming herbs for a heat pattern can worsen symptoms. Professional differentiation is essential.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
$24.93
Nong's Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
$38.41
Hoi Tin Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Beverage) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
$24.93
Nong's Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Beverage) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
$44.83
Tian Jiang Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Beverage) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
$58.74
Hoi Tin Xing Su San (Apricot Kernel and Perilla Leaf Powder) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
$24.93
Nong's Xing Su San (Apricot Kernel and Perilla Leaf Powder) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
$44.83
Hoi Tin Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
$24.93
This library is educational. It describes how Traditional Chinese Medicine has traditionally understood these presentations. It is not a diagnosis, and it is not a treatment recommendation.
Back to the Condition Hub