Dry Cough
乾咳 / 干咳
Non-productive cough without phlegm, often irritating or persistent.
Quick Facts
| Health Topic | Respiratory Care |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Non-productive cough, Tickly dry cough, Dry hacking cough, Cough without phlegm, Irritating dry cough |
| Common Symptoms | A cough that produces little or no phlegm, often dry, scratchy or irritating. The throat may feel tight or itchy, and the cough can be worse at night, in dry air, or after talking. Chest discomfort or a sense of incomplete relief after coughing may also appear. |
| Related TCM Patterns | Wind-Cold · Wind-Heat · Lung Heat · Phlegm-Heat · Yin Deficiency · Kidney Yin Deficiency |
| Related Classical Formulas | |
| Related Articles | Dry Cough: Syndrome Differentiation and Daily Care |
Dry Cough in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a dry cough is not a single pattern. It may be associated with Wind-Heat, Yin deficiency, Lung Heat or Wind-Cold, depending on the accompanying features. Differentiation looks at whether there is fever and sore throat, night dryness and a red tongue with little coating, marked thirst, or chills without sweating. Classical formulas are matched to these pattern distinctions rather than to the dry quality of the cough alone.
TCM Patterns Associated With Dry 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. | |
| Yin Deficiency陰虛證Deficiency Patterns | Dry mouth and throat, night sweats or warm palms and soles, a thin body frame, and restlessness that is worse in the afternoon or at night. Sleep may be light, and there is often a preference for cool drinks. Symptoms feel empty rather than forceful. Tongue red with scant coating; pulse thin and rapid. | |
| Kidney Yin Deficiency腎陰虛證Deficiency Patterns | Soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, tinnitus or dizziness, night sweats, warm palms and soles, and dry mouth or throat that is worse at night. Sleep may be light, and the person often prefers cool drinks. The frame may be thinner. Tongue red with little coating; pulse thin and rapid. |
Classical Formulas Traditionally Associated
Associated with 15 classical formulas
Listed for study. Which formula fits, if any, depends on the pattern rather than the symptom.
Ma Huang Tang
麻黃湯 · Má Huáng Tāng
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasSang Ju Yin
桑菊飲 · Sāng Jú Yǐn
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasQing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
清燥救肺湯 · Qīng Zào Jiù Fèi Tāng
Lung HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasSang Xing Tang
桑杏湯 · Sāng Xìng Tāng
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasSha Shen Mai Dong Tang
沙參麥冬湯 · Shā Shēn Mài Dōng Tāng
Yin DeficiencyYin-Tonifying FormulasBai He Gu Jin Tang
百合固金湯 · Bǎi Hé Gù Jīn Tāng
Yin DeficiencyYin-Tonifying FormulasYin Qiao San
銀翹散 · Yín Qiào Sǎn
Wind-HeatExterior-Releasing FormulasYi Wei Tang
益胃湯 · Yì Wèi Tāng
Yin DeficiencyYin-Tonifying FormulasMai Men Dong Tang
麥門冬湯 · Mài Mén Dōng Tāng
Yin DeficiencyYin-Tonifying FormulasZeng Ye Tang
增液湯 · Zēng Yè Tāng
Yin DeficiencyYin-Tonifying FormulasYang Yin Qing Fei Tang
養陰清肺湯 · Yǎng Yīn Qīng Fèi Tāng
Yin DeficiencyYin-Tonifying FormulasZhi Sou San
止嗽散 · Zhǐ Sòu Sàn
Wind-ColdExterior-Releasing FormulasXie Bai San
瀉白散 · Xiè Bái Sàn
Lung HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasQing Jin Hua Tan Tang
清金化痰湯 · Qīng Jīn Huà Tán Tāng
Phlegm-HeatHeat-Clearing FormulasMai Wei Di Huang Wan
麥味地黃丸 · Mài Wèi Dì Huáng Wán
Kidney Yin DeficiencyYin-Tonifying FormulasLearn More About Dry 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 dry cough?
In TCM, dry cough (干咳) means coughing with little or no sputum because Lung fluids or Yin are insufficient, or Dryness and Heat have damaged the Lung’s moistening function. The Lung prefers moisture and dislikes dryness. External Dryness, residual Heat after a cold, Yin deficiency or Liver Fire invading the Lung can all produce a dry, ticklish cough.
What are the common TCM patterns of dry cough?
Frequent patterns include external Dryness attacking the Lung (sudden dry cough in dry weather), residual Heat after an exterior illness, Lung Yin deficiency (chronic dry cough worse at night), and Liver Fire invading the Lung (dry cough with chest tightness and irritability). Accurate pattern differentiation determines the treatment approach.
How does TCM regulate dry cough?
The main principles are to moisten the Lung, nourish Yin, clear residual Heat or soothe the Liver and descend Lung Qi according to the pattern. Formulas such as modifications of Sang Xing Tang, Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang or Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang may be considered. Suppressing cough without moistening the Lung is often insufficient. Internal treatment should be guided by a qualified TCM practitioner.
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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.
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