Phlegm-Damp Obstructing the Lung
They cough every day and bring up a lot of thick white mucus; the chest feels loaded, breathing tires them, and everything is worse on damp days.
In plain words
They cough every day and bring up a lot of thick white mucus; the chest feels loaded, breathing tires them, and everything is worse on damp days.
The digestive system, overloaded with dairy, sugar, fried and cold food, stops transforming what comes in and leaves behind a damp, sticky residue. That residue rises and collects in the Lung: in this framework the Spleen is called the factory of phlegm and the Lung the warehouse where it is stored. With the warehouse full, air no longer circulates cleanly: cough with copious mucus, wheezing and a heavy chest. It is built up over years of eating and living a certain way.
Characteristic symptoms
- Productive cough with abundant white or grayish mucus
- Sensation of pressure or oppression in the chest
- Difficulty breathing, especially with exertion
- Wheezing sounds or mucus in the chest
- Heavy body and sensation of fatigue
- Little thirst or no thirst
- Mild nausea or sensation of fullness in the epigastrium
- Worsens in humid or cold climates
Key clues to recognize it
- Plenty of phlegm, white or greyish, that comes up easily and relieves the cough for a while.
- The chest feels heavy and there are audible sounds on breathing; the whole body feels weighed down.
- No thirst, or very little drinking, despite all the coughing.
Tongue and pulse
- Tongue
- Pale or normal tongue; thick, moist or slippery white coating
- Pulse
- Slippery (huá) and soft or slow pulse
Treatment principle
Dry dampness, resolve phlegm, strengthen the Lung and regulate the descent of Qi
Common points
Reference formula
Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction: Ban Xia and Chen Pi)
What not to confuse it with
What aggravates it
- Dairy, sugar, fried and very fatty food.
- Damp, rainy days, and cold or damp homes.
- Large single meals, or eating late and going straight to bed.
- Long hours sitting or lying down without moving.
Lifestyle advice
Avoid foods that generate Phlegm: excess dairy, sugar, fried and processed foods, banana. Eat foods that resolve Phlegm: radish, cooked pear, onion, ginger, garlic. Keep spaces well ventilated. Avoid environmental humidity. Practice gentle breathing exercises.
When to see a doctor
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
