Chronic Cough - Phlegm-Heat Stagnation in the Lung Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Chronic Cough · Phlegm-Heat Stagnation in the Lung Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Chest

Pattern Overview

Phlegm-Heat Stagnation in the Lung is a common pattern in chronic cough, characterized by chronic airway inflammation, cough with yellow thick sputum, chest fullness, and feverish sensation. The core pathogenesis is Phlegm transforming into Heat and stagnating in the Lung, leading to airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and cough.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Cough with coarse voice, yellow thick sputum, chest fullness |

| Associated Symptoms | Red face, dry mouth, feverish sensation, irritability |

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

| Pathogenesis | Phlegm transforming into Heat and stagnating in the Lung |

| Etiology | Chronic bronchitis, repeated infections, poor diet |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Fenglong (ST40) | 8 cun above the lateral malleolus, 2 cun lateral to the tibial crest | Transforms Phlegm and clears Heat |

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

| Feishu (BL13) | On the upper back, 1.5 cun lateral to T3 | Back-Shu point of Lung meridian; regulates Lung Qi |

| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease | He-Sea point of Large Intestine meridian; clears Heat |

| Yuji (LU10) | On the thenar eminence, at the midpoint of the 1st metacarpal | Spring point of Lung meridian; clears Lung Heat |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; may combine with pricking at Chize to clear Heat.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang (清气化痰汤)

Composition:

Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Trichosanthes Seed (Gua Lou Ren), Arisaema (Dan Nan Xing), Pinellia (Ban Xia), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi), Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), Poria (Fu Ling)

Action: Clears Phlegm-Heat, regulates the Lung, and stops cough.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Thick yellow sputum | Add Yu Xing Cao, Pu Gong Ying to clear Heat and detoxify |

| Chest fullness | Add Gua Lou, Xian Bai to relieve chest tightness |

| Fever and thirst | Add Shi Gao, Zhi Mu to clear Heat and generate fluids |

| Chest pain with cough | Add Yu Jin, Yan Hu Suo to invigorate blood and relieve pain |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic airway inflammation with neutrophil infiltration, elastase release damaging airways, and mucus plug formation. Phlegm-Heat Stagnation corresponds to chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis with significant airway inflammation, where neutrophil elastase and mucus plugs contribute to airflow obstruction and cough.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Cough with Phlegm-Heat Stagnation.

  2. DB-XJB: Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang.

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

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