Bronchitis in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bronchitis is classified according to the nature of the pathogenic factor affecting the Lungs. Acute bronchitis is commonly associated with Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, or Lung Dryness, while chronic bronchitis is more often associated with Spleen Dampness and Liver Fire affecting the Lungs.

Treatment focuses on restoring Lung function, resolving cough, transforming phlegm, clearing Heat, dispersing external pathogens, and addressing underlying imbalances.

Pattern Key Symptoms Treatment Principle Traditional Formula Food Therapy
Cold-Wind Restricting the Lungs Cough with clear sputum, chills, fever, nasal congestion Disperse Wind-Cold, open the Lungs, stop cough Xing-Su-San Ginger, almond, peppermint, walnut
Wind-Heat Offending the Lungs Fever, sore throat, yellow sputum Expel Wind, clear Heat, stop cough Sang-Ju-Yin Apple, lemon, tofu, tomato
Lung Dryness Dry cough, thirst, dry throat Clear Heat, generate fluids, moisten the Lungs Qing-Re-Jiu-Fei-Tang Pear peel, loquat, white fungus, apricot
Spleen Dampness Affecting the Lungs Chronic cough, white sputum, fatigue Strengthen Spleen, dry Dampness, transform Phlegm Er-Chen-Tang Job's tears, adzuki bean, seaweed
Liver Fire Attacking the Lungs Painful cough, blood-streaked sputum, chest discomfort Calm Liver Fire, clear Lung Heat, stop cough Ke-Xue-Fang Asparagus, spinach, white fungus, olive

Acute Bronchitis

Cold-Wind Restricting the Lungs

Common Signs

  • Common cold symptoms

  • Cough with clear sputum

  • Chills or dislike of cold

  • Fever

  • Nasal congestion

  • Runny nose

  • Itchy throat

  • Headache

  • Little or no sweating

  • Panting

Treatment Principle

Disperse Wind-Cold, open the Lungs, and stop cough.

Traditional Formula

Xing-Su-San

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Almond

  • Rock sugar

  • Asparagus

  • Peppermint

  • Spearmint

  • Sweet basil

  • Fresh ginger

  • Fennel

  • Mustard seed

  • Star anise

  • Walnut

  • Tangerine

  • Common button mushroom

Wind-Heat Offending the Lungs

Common Signs

  • Fever

  • Sore throat

  • Yellow sticky sputum

  • Sweating

  • Thirst

  • Chest discomfort

  • Headache

  • Blood-streaked sputum

  • Nasal symptoms

Treatment Principle

Expel Wind, clear Heat, open the Lungs, and stop cough.

Traditional Formula

Sang-Ju-Yin

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Apple

  • Apple cucumber

  • Lemon

  • Sweet potato

  • Tofu

  • Tomato

  • White sugar

  • Coriander

  • Parsley

Lung Dryness

Common Signs

  • Dry cough

  • Little or no sputum

  • Dry throat

  • Dry nose

  • Thirst

  • Hoarseness or loss of voice

  • Tickling sensation in the throat

  • Nosebleeds

  • Blood-streaked sputum

Treatment Principle

Clear Heat, generate fluids, moisten Dryness, and nourish the Lungs.

Traditional Formula

Qing-Re-Jiu-Fei-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Almond

  • Apple

  • Apricot

  • Asparagus

  • White fungus

  • Licorice

  • Loquat

  • Peanut

  • Pear peel

  • Rock sugar

  • Tangerine

Chronic Bronchitis

Spleen Dampness Affecting the Lungs

Common Signs

  • Chronic cough

  • White watery sputum

  • Fatigue

  • Poor appetite

  • Heavy sensation in the body

  • Heavy sensation in the head

  • Shortness of breath

  • Swelling of hands and feet

  • Vomiting

Treatment Principle

Strengthen the Spleen, dry Dampness, transform Phlegm, and regulate the Lungs.

Traditional Formula

Er-Chen-Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Job's tears

  • Adzuki beans

  • Bamboo shoots

  • Barley

  • Seaweed

  • Shepherd's purse

  • Star fruit

  • Cucumber

  • Mung beans

  • Carp

Liver Fire Attacking the Lungs

Common Signs

  • Cough causing upper abdominal pain

  • Sticky sputum

  • Blood-streaked sputum

  • Vomiting blood

  • Chest and rib pain

  • Rapid breathing

  • Red face

  • Dry throat

  • Thirst

Treatment Principle

Calm the Liver, sedate Fire, clear Lung Heat, and stop cough.

Traditional Formula

Ke-Xue-Fang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Asparagus

  • Soy milk

  • Duck egg

  • Olive

  • Spinach

  • Chestnut

  • Shepherd's purse

  • Rye

  • Black fungus

  • Vinegar

  • Abalone

  • White fungus

  • Pork

  • Royal jelly

Traditional Dietary Approaches

Traditional dietary recommendations for bronchitis often depend on the pattern:

Wind-Cold

Favor warming foods:

  • Fresh ginger

  • Walnut

  • Fennel

  • Warm soups

  • Tangerine peel

Wind-Heat

Favor cooling foods:

  • Apple

  • Lemon

  • Tofu

  • Tomato

  • Pear

Lung Dryness

Favor moistening foods:

  • Pear

  • White fungus

  • Loquat

  • Apricot

  • Almond

Damp-Phlegm

Favor foods that support digestion and fluid metabolism:

  • Job's tears

  • Adzuki beans

  • Barley

  • Seaweed

Related Formulas

  • Xing-Su-San

  • Sang-Ju-Yin

  • Qing-Re-Jiu-Fei-Tang

  • Er-Chen-Tang

  • Ke-Xue-Fang

Important Note

Bronchitis can result from viral infections, bacterial infections, smoking, environmental irritants, asthma, or chronic lung disease. Persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, high fever, or coughing up blood should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.