Bronchial Asthma in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bronchial asthma is understood as a disorder of the Lung's ability to govern Qi and respiration. Acute attacks are commonly associated with Cold-Phlegm or Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Lungs, while chronic asthma often involves deficiency of Lung Qi or Kidney Qi.

Treatment focuses on opening the airways, transforming phlegm, regulating Lung Qi, relieving wheezing, and strengthening underlying deficiencies.

Pattern Key Symptoms Treatment Principle Traditional Formula Food Therapy
Cold Sputum Obstructing the Lungs Wheezing, chest tightness, watery sputum Warm the Lungs, expel Cold, transform phlegm She-Gan-Ma-Huang-Tang Ginger, mustard seed, black pepper
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs Yellow sputum, wheezing, thirst Clear Heat, transform phlegm, descend Lung Qi Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan-Tang Pear, radish, grapefruit peel
Lung Dampness Copious sticky sputum, poor appetite Transform phlegm, move Qi, stop wheezing San-Zi-Tang + Er-Chen-Tang Job's tears, adzuki beans, barley
Lungs Unable to Descend Qi Persistent wheezing, more exhaling than inhaling Descend rebellious Lung Qi, transform phlegm Shen-Zhe-Zhen-Qi-Tang Almond, loquat, radish
Lung Qi Deficiency Recurrent colds, fatigue, mild wheezing Tonify Lung Qi and strengthen defense Qi Bu-Fei-Tang Yam, dates, chestnut
Kidneys Failing to Grasp Qi Chronic asthma, exertional wheezing Warm and tonify the Kidneys Shen-Qi-Wan Walnut, chestnut, kidney-supportive foods

Acute Patterns

Cold Sputum Obstructing the Lungs

Common Signs

  • Wheezing

  • Panting

  • Chest pain or tightness

  • Copious thin, watery sputum

  • No sweating

  • Cold limbs

  • Preference for warm drinks

  • Sensation of chest congestion or choking

Treatment Principle

Warm the Lungs, expel Cold, and transform phlegm.

Traditional Formula

She-Gan-Ma-Huang-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Fresh ginger

  • Brown mustard leaf

  • Mustard seed

  • Black pepper

  • White pepper

Phlegm-Heat Accumulated in the Lungs

Common Signs

  • Wheezing

  • Panting

  • Acute respiratory distress

  • Yellow or sticky sputum

  • Lung fullness

  • Thirst with desire for cold drinks

Treatment Principle

Clear Heat, transform phlegm, open the Lungs, and descend Lung Qi.

Traditional Formula

Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Apple peel

  • Pear

  • Radish

  • Grapefruit peel

  • Common button mushroom

Chronic Patterns

Lung Dampness

Common Signs

  • Copious sticky sputum

  • Chest congestion

  • Wheezing with cough

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Poor appetite

  • Palpitations

  • Insomnia

  • Underweight

Treatment Principle

Transform phlegm, regulate Qi, descend Lung Qi, and stop wheezing.

Traditional Formula

San-Zi-Tang with Er-Chen-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Job's tears

  • Adzuki beans

  • Barley

  • Bamboo shoots

  • Seaweed

  • Mung beans

  • Cucumber

  • Shepherd's purse

Lungs Unable to Descend Qi

Common Signs

  • Sudden wheezing attacks

  • Persistent wheezing

  • Wheezing worsened by activity

  • More difficulty exhaling than inhaling

  • Copious white sticky sputum

  • Difficulty lying flat

  • Palpitations

  • Lower abdominal fullness

Treatment Principle

Descend rebellious Lung Qi, transform phlegm, and relieve wheezing.

Traditional Formula

Shen-Zhe-Zhen-Qi-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Almond

  • Loquat

  • Radish

  • Grapefruit peel

  • Seaweed

  • Barley

  • Bamboo shoots

Lung Qi Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Recurrent colds

  • Chronic cough

  • Mild wheezing

  • Fatigue

  • Shortness of breath

  • Weak voice

  • Excessive sweating

  • Fear of cold

  • Clear watery sputum

  • Easily exhausted by talking

Treatment Principle

Strengthen Lung Qi, stabilize the exterior, and relieve wheezing.

Traditional Formula

Bu-Fei-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Yam

  • Chestnut

  • Red dates

  • Longan

  • Sweet rice

  • Irish potato

  • Royal jelly

  • Mutton

  • Squash

Kidneys Failing to Grasp Qi

Common Signs

  • Chronic asthma

  • Wheezing worsened by exertion

  • Difficulty inhaling

  • Panting with activity

  • Frequent urination

  • Cold limbs

  • Fear of cold

  • White sputum

  • Shortness of breath

Treatment Principle

Warm and tonify the Kidneys and help them grasp Qi.

Traditional Formula

Shen-Qi-Wan

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Walnut

  • Chestnut

  • Raspberry

  • Pork kidney

  • Chicken liver

  • Oyster

  • Sardine

  • Shrimp

  • Lobster

  • White fungus

  • Royal jelly

Traditional Dietary Approaches

Cold-Phlegm Asthma

Favor warming foods:

  • Ginger

  • Mustard seed

  • Black pepper

  • Warm soups

Phlegm-Heat Asthma

Favor cooling foods:

  • Pear

  • Radish

  • Apple

  • Grapefruit peel

Damp-Phlegm Asthma

Favor foods that strengthen digestion:

  • Job's tears

  • Adzuki beans

  • Barley

  • Bamboo shoots

Deficiency Asthma

Favor nourishing foods:

  • Yam

  • Chestnut

  • Walnut

  • Dates

  • Royal jelly

Related Formulas

  • She-Gan-Ma-Huang-Tang

  • Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan-Tang

  • San-Zi-Tang

  • Er-Chen-Tang

  • Shen-Zhe-Zhen-Qi-Tang

  • Bu-Fei-Tang

  • Shen-Qi-Wan

Important Note

Asthma can be a serious medical condition. Severe shortness of breath, chest tightness, inability to speak in full sentences, bluish lips, or worsening wheezing require prompt medical evaluation.