Chronic Sinusitis - Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Chronic Sinusitis · Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold is a chronic deficiency pattern in chronic sinusitis, characterized by mucosal immune dysfunction causing recurrent infections, nasal congestion with clear discharge, fatigue, cold sensitivity, and easy susceptibility to colds. The core pathogenesis is Lung-Qi deficiency with weakened defensive exterior, allowing recurrent infections and chronic sinus mucosal inflammation.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Recurrent nasal congestion with clear discharge, cold sensitivity, easy colds |

| Associated Symptoms | Shortness of breath, fatigue, pale complexion, spontaneous sweating |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale and swollen tongue with thin white coating, deep and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Lung-Qi deficiency with weakened defensive exterior and recurrent infections |

| Etiology | Constitutional Lung-Qi deficiency, recurrent respiratory infections, chronic illness, pediatric patients |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

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

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

| Lieque (LU7) | Above the wrist, on the radial side, in the depression between the tendons | Diffuses the Lung and disperses Wind-Cold |

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

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied at Feishu and Zusanli to warm and tonify Lung-Qi.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Wen Fei Zhi Liu Dan (温肺止流丹) or Yu Ping Feng San (玉屏风散) with Cang Er Zi San (苍耳子散)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Schizonepeta (Jing Jie), Asarum (Xi Xin), Chebula (He Zi), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Saposhnikovia (Fang Feng), Xanthium (Cang Er Zi), Magnolia Flower (Xin Yi), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Warms the Lung, supplements Qi, strengthens the defensive exterior, and opens the nasal passages.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Profuse clear discharge | Add Wu Wei Zi, Wu Mei to astringe and stop discharge |

| Severe cold intolerance | Add Fu Zi, Gan Jiang to warm Yang and disperse Cold |

| Spontaneous sweating | Add Mu Li, Fu Xiao Mai to stabilize the exterior |

| Recurrent colds | Add Ling Zhi, Xiang Gu to support the upright Qi |

| Severe nasal congestion | Add E Bu Shi Cao, Cang Er Zi to open the nasal passages |

| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |

Western Mechanism Reference

Mucosal immune dysfunction causing recurrent infections, decreased nasal mucosal SIgA, and impaired mucociliary clearance. Lung-Qi Deficiency with Cold corresponds to chronic sinusitis with immune dysfunction, where decreased nasal mucosal SIgA and impaired mucociliary clearance contribute to recurrent infections and chronic inflammation.

References

  1. Otolaryngology of TCM - Chronic Sinusitis with Lung-Qi Deficiency and Cold.

  2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Lung-Qi Deficiency → Pivot Layer.

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

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for sinus relief.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM respiratory health.