Chronic Sinusitis - Lung Channel Wind-Heat Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Chronic Sinusitis · Lung Channel Wind-Heat Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Lung Channel Wind-Heat is a common pattern in chronic sinusitis, characterized by chronic sinus mucosal inflammation with ciliary dysfunction, recurrent nasal congestion with yellow discharge, headache, anosmia, and cough. The core pathogenesis is Lung Channel latent Heat ascending to the nasal passages, causing chronic inflammation, eosinophil infiltration, and impaired mucociliary clearance.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Recurrent nasal congestion with yellow discharge, headache, anosmia |

| Associated Symptoms | Cough, dry throat, nasal itching, aggravation with heat |

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

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

| Etiology | Recurrent sinus infections, allergic rhinitis, chronic inflammation |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

| Quchi (LI11) | Lateral end of the elbow crease | Clears Heat and reduces inflammation |

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

| Yintang (EX-HN3) | Midpoint between the eyebrows | Clears the head 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 cupping on the back to clear Lung Heat.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Cang Er Zi San (苍耳子散) + Xie Bai San (泻白散)

Composition:

Xanthium (Cang Er Zi), Magnolia Flower (Xin Yi), Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi), Mint (Bo He), Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), Lycium Bark (Di Gu Pi), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Clears Lung Heat, opens the nasal passages, and drains discharge.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Copious yellow discharge | Add Yu Xing Cao, Pu Gong Ying, Yi Yi Ren to clear Heat and drain Dampness |

| Headache | Add Chuan Xiong, Man Jing Zi to disperse Wind and stop pain |

| Anosmia | Add Shi Chang Pu, Lu Lu Tong to open the orifices |

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

| Severe nasal congestion | Add Xi Xin, E Bu Shi Cao to open the nasal passages |

| Recurrent episodes | Add Huang Qi, Bai Zhu to supplement Qi and strengthen the exterior |

Western Mechanism Reference

Chronic sinus mucosal inflammation with ciliary dysfunction, elevated IL-5/eotaxin, and eosinophil infiltration. Lung Channel Wind-Heat corresponds to chronic sinusitis with Th2-type inflammation, where elevated IL-5/eotaxin and eosinophil infiltration contribute to mucosal inflammation and ciliary dysfunction.

References

  1. Otolaryngology of TCM - Chronic Sinusitis with Lung Channel Wind-Heat.

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

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

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