As the seasons transition into autumn and winter, there are significant temperature fluctuations, causing many people to develop persistent coughs during this time. This often leads to disrupted sleep and decreased daytime energy levels. Coughing is one of the most common ailments among people, especially dry coughs caused by cooler weather and dry climates. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnoses and treats these coughs through medication and holistic approaches.
From a TCM perspective, the autumn season can harm the lungs due to excess dryness and irritants in the air. People with imbalances such as yin deficiency, qi deficiency, excess liver heat, or liver qi stagnation are more likely to experience respiratory discomfort and coughing. Additionally, individuals with issues like gastroesophageal reflux or poor digestive function are also common groups affected by coughing.
In TCM, in addition to using medication, you can prepare a “Pear Lung Nourishing Soup” to alleviate coughing symptoms and improve sleep quality.
TCM tailors treatment to specific coughing symptoms. The six common types of coughing are categorized as follows:
- Wind-Cough
Characterized by a tickling or irritating sensation in the throat, it comes and goes suddenly, resembling the elusive nature of wind. Other symptoms may include a pale tongue with a thin white coating and a floating pulse.
Treatment involves dispersing wind, eliminating pathogenic factors, and calming the lungs, often using herbal formulas such as “Zhisou San” with modifications.
- Cold-Cough
This type is related to exposure to cold or air conditioning, resulting in coughing, shortness of breath, nasal congestion, clear mucus, and other cold symptoms. It may also manifest as chills and fever. The tongue appears pale with a white coating, and the pulse is floating and tight.
Treatment aims to expel wind and cold and nourish the lungs. Common formulas include “San’ao Tang” and modified “Zhisou San.”
- Heat-Cough
This type is associated with exposure to hot weather or the heat of summer, leading to frequent and harsh coughing, a dry throat, yellow or sticky phlegm, sweating, and other heat-related symptoms.
Treatment focuses on dispersing wind-heat, clearing heat, and calming the lungs. The “Sangju Yin” formula with modifications is often used.
- Phlegm-Cough
This type is typically seen in elderly individuals with weak constitutions, which may be triggered by catching a cold. It is characterized by persistent coughing, thick phlegm, chest discomfort, fatigue, and a pale tongue with a white and greasy coating.
Treatment aims to strengthen the spleen, transform phlegm, and stop the cough using herbal formulas like “Erchen Tang” and “Sanziyangqin Tang.”
- Dry-Cough
Often associated with smoking, spicy foods, or the dry autumn season, it results in a persistent, irritating, dry cough, often with no or minimal phlegm production. The tongue may appear red and dry with a thin yellow coating, and the pulse is rapid.
Treatment focuses on dispersing wind and moistening the lungs, using formulas like “Sangxi Tang.”
- Chronic-Cough
When one of the above types of coughing persists and becomes chronic, it may indicate a deficiency of both qi and yin. Symptoms include a dry throat, shortness of breath, hoarseness, afternoon fever, red cheeks, sweating, and fatigue.
Treatment involves nourishing qi, replenishing yin, and moistening the lungs, often with the use of “Shengmai San” and “Shashen Maidong Tang.”
TCM home remedies for relieving dry coughs
As late autumn arrives and the weather becomes dry, those experiencing dry cough symptoms can prepare the ‘Pear and Fritillaria Lung Moistening Soup.’ It is recommended to consume this soup during lunch, dinner, or when experiencing dryness in the mouth and throat after physical activity to nourish and moisten the lungs.
This remedy involves steaming Fritillaria bulbs and pears together, specifically targeting dry coughs. Pears are chosen for their ability to address the dry and warm conditions of autumn. If pears are unavailable, Fritillaria can be steamed and then mixed with honey, forming a basic composition similar to Fritillaria Loquat Syrup. Another option is to prepare honey water with a ratio of 1:10 (honey to water) and consume it to alleviate dry coughs.
TCM acupressure for cough
Due to the widespread use of modern air conditioning, dry conditions tend to appear prematurely. If you spending extended periods in air-conditioned environments, it is advisable to replenish fluids appropriately. Additionally, consider acupressure massage on points like Hegu, which has the potential to tonify and move Qi, achieving a certain level of cough relief.
