Sore Throat

咽喉腫痛 / 咽喉肿痛

Pain, scratchiness, or irritation in the throat.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Respiratory Care
Also Known As	Throat pain, Painful throat, Scratchy throat, Inflamed throat, Throat irritation
Common Symptoms	Pain, scratchiness or rawness in the throat that can make swallowing uncomfortable. The throat may look red, and there can be dryness, mild swelling, or a sensation of something stuck. Voice may become hoarse, and symptoms often appear with upper respiratory discomfort.
Related TCM Patterns	Wind-Heat · Damp-Heat · Lung Heat · Stomach Heat · Wind-Cold · Yin Deficiency · Qi Stagnation · Phlegm-Heat
Related Classical Formulas	Sang Ju Yin · Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang · Sang Xing Tang · Yin Qiao San · Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang · Huang Lian Jie Du Tang · She Gan Ma Huang Tang · Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin · Liang Ge San · Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin · Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang · Ban Xia Hou Po Tang · Qing Fei Tang · Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin · Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang · Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang · Qing Yan Li Ge Tang

Sore Throat in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sore throat is commonly associated with Wind-Heat or Lung Heat patterns. Differentiation looks at whether there is fever, thirst, cough, yellow sputum or a red tongue tip, and whether the onset followed exposure to wind or heat. Classical formulas are matched to these heat-related exterior or Lung patterns rather than to throat pain alone. Accompanying signs such as tongue appearance, pulse quality and the presence of heat or cold help distinguish one presentation from another.

TCM Patterns Associated With Sore Throat

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-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.	Sang Ju Yin Sang Xing Tang Yin Qiao San Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang
Damp-Heat濕熱證Damp Patterns	A heavy body with a sense of heat, sticky or bitter taste in the mouth, scanty dark urine, and discomfort that worsens in hot humid weather. There may be greasy skin, sticky stools, or yellowish discharge. Thirst is present but drinking may not feel satisfying. Tongue red with a yellow greasy coating; pulse slippery and rapid.	Huang Lian Jie Du Tang Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin
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.	Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang Qing Fei Tang Qing Yan Li Ge Tang
Stomach Heat胃熱證Heat Patterns	Burning or discomfort in the epigastrium, thirst with preference for cold drinks, bad breath, and a tendency toward constipation or dry stools. The gums may feel swollen or sore, and appetite can be strong yet unsettled. Tongue red with a yellow coating, possibly dry in the centre; pulse slippery and rapid.	Liang Ge San
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.	She Gan Ma Huang Tang
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.	Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
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.	Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang