Allergic Rhinitis - Lung Channel Latent Heat Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Allergic Rhinitis · Lung Channel Latent Heat Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Lung Channel Latent Heat is a pattern in allergic rhinitis, characterized by perennial allergic rhinitis with acute exacerbation, nasal congestion with yellow or sticky discharge, dry throat, and nasal itching. The core pathogenesis is Latent Heat in the Lung Channel, causing chronic nasal mucosal inflammation, eosinophil infiltration, and acute exacerbations.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Nasal congestion with yellow or sticky discharge, nasal itching, dry throat |

| Associated Symptoms | Cough, thirst, irritability, red eyes, sleep disturbance |

| Tongue and Pulse | Red tongue with yellow coating, slippery and rapid pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Lung Channel Latent Heat causing chronic nasal mucosal inflammation |

| Etiology | Perennial allergic rhinitis, recurrent infections, chronic nasal inflammation |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Chize (LU5) | On the elbow crease, lateral side of the biceps tendon | He-Sea point of Lung meridian; clears Lung Heat |

| Hegu (LI4) | Dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Clears Heat and opens the nasal passages |

| Yingxiang (LI20) | In the nasolabial groove, at the level of the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala nasi | Opens the nasal passages |

| Shaoshang (LU11) | On the radial side of the thumb, 0.1 cun from the nail corner | Well point of Lung meridian; clears Lung Heat and opens the nasal passages |

| Lieque (LU7) | Above the wrist, on the radial side, in the depression between the tendons | Diffuses the Lung and opens the nasal passages |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reducing method; may combine with pricking at Shaoshang to enhance Lung Heat clearing.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin (辛夷清肺饮)

Composition:

Magnolia Flower (Xin Yi), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Gypsum (Shi Gao), Anemarrhena (Zhi Mu), Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), Loquat Leaf (Pi Pa Ye), Ophiopogon (Mai Dong), Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Clears Lung Heat, opens the nasal passages, and reduces inflammation.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Yellow sticky discharge | Add Yu Xing Cao, Pu Gong Ying to clear Heat and detoxify |

| Severe nasal congestion | Add Cang Er Zi, Bai Zhi to open the nasal passages |

| Dry throat | Add Mai Dong, Tian Hua Fen to generate fluids and moisten dryness |

| Cough | Add Xing Ren, Jie Geng to diffuse the Lung and stop cough |

| Irritability | Add Zhi Zi, Dan Pi to clear Heat and calm the spirit |

Western Mechanism Reference

Perennial allergic rhinitis with acute exacerbation, nasal mucosal chronic inflammation, and eosinophil infiltration. Lung Channel Latent Heat corresponds to perennial allergic rhinitis with acute exacerbation, where chronic eosinophilic inflammation and mucosal remodeling contribute to persistent symptoms and acute flare-ups.

References

  1. Otolaryngology of TCM - Allergic Rhinitis with Lung Channel Latent Heat.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Lung Heat → Clearing Pathway.

  3. WHO. (2023). Respiratory health. World Health Organization.

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