Lung Yin Deficiency
For months they have had a dry cough that brings nothing up, a dry throat and mouth, a voice that fades, warmth in the afternoon, and they wake at night soaked in sweat.
In plain words
For months they have had a dry cough that brings nothing up, a dry throat and mouth, a voice that fades, warmth in the afternoon, and they wake at night soaked in sweat.
A long fever, a cough that dragged on, tobacco, dry air, or years of speaking in public gradually consume the fluids that cool and lubricate the Lung. Without them the organ runs dry: the cough finds nothing to expel and the throat loses its gloss. And since the cooling side is missing, the warming side is left in excess: a small but constant heat appears, rising at the end of the day and drawing out sweat while the person sleeps. This takes months or years, not days.
Characteristic symptoms
- Dry cough, no sputum or scanty, viscous sputum
- Blood-tinged sputum (hemoptysis) in advanced cases
- Dry throat and chronic hoarseness
- Afternoon fever or low-grade fever in the afternoon
- Night sweats
- Weight loss and progressive emaciation
- Reddened cheeks (malar flush)
- Flat voice or difficulty speaking for long periods
Key clues to recognize it
- A dry, persistent cough: no sputum, and the little that comes up is thick and hard to shift.
- The heat and the flush on the cheeks appear in the afternoon or at dusk, not in the morning.
- Sweats during sleep and wakes with damp clothes; awake, there is no sweating.
Tongue and pulse
- Tongue
- Red, dry tongue with little or no coating; may have cracks
- Pulse
- Thin (xì) and rapid (shuò) pulse
Treatment principle
Nourish Lung Yin, moisten dryness, clear empty Heat and stop cough
Common points
Reference formula
Bai He Gu Jin Tang (Lily Bulb Decoction to Preserve the Metal)
What not to confuse it with
What aggravates it
- Dry environments: central heating, air conditioning, planes and altitude.
- Talking or singing for hours without resting the voice.
- Smoking and smoke.
- Habitually going to bed late, and very spicy or deep-fried food.
Lifestyle advice
Avoid dry and polluted environments; use a humidifier if necessary. Avoid tobacco and respiratory irritants. Eat foods that nourish Lung Yin: pear, winter melon, daikon radish, jujube, almond milk, wood ears. Do not talk excessively or sing for long periods. Stay well hydrated.
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.
