Chronic Cough - Wind-Heat Invading the Lung Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for chronic cough with
Chronic Cough · Wind-Heat Invading the Lung Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Chest
Pattern Overview
Wind-Heat Invading the Lung is a common pattern in chronic cough,
characterized by **post-infectious cough, yellow thick sputum, sore
throat, and fever with aversion to wind**. The core pathogenesis is
invasion of Wind-Heat pathogens into the Lung, causing Lung Qi to
fail to clear and descend, leading to cough and airway inflammation.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
sore throat |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
congestion with yellow discharge |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
and rapid pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
clear and descend |
| Etiology |
|---|
respiratory infection |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| Dazhui (GV14) | Below the spinous process of C7 |
|---|
Wind-Heat and clears Heat |
| Chize (LU5) |
|---|
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 |
| Hegu (LI4) |
|---|
metacarpals | Source point of Large Intestine meridian; disperses
Wind-Heat |
| Shaoshang (LU11) |
|---|
the nail corner | Well point of Lung meridian; clears Lung Heat and
relieves sore throat |
Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reducing method; Dazhui
and Shaoshang may be pricked to bleed to enhance Heat clearing.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Sang Ju Yin (桑菊饮)
Composition:
Mulberry Leaf (Sang Ye), Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua), Apricot Kernel (Xing
Ren), Forsythia (Lian Qiao), Mint (Bo He), Platycodon (Jie Geng), Reed
Rhizome (Lu Gen), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Disperses Wind-Heat, clears the Lung, and stops cough.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Thick yellow sputum |
|---|
transform Phlegm |
| Severe sore throat |
|---|
relieve sore throat |
| Fever | Add Shi Gao, Zhi Mu to clear Heat and generate fluids |
|---|
| Severe cough | Add Pi Pa Ye, Qian Hu to descend Qi and stop cough |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
Persistent airway inflammation post-upper respiratory infection, cough
receptor sensitization, and impaired mucociliary clearance. Wind-Heat
Invading the Lung corresponds to post-infectious cough, where airway
inflammation and mucociliary dysfunction contribute to cough receptor
sensitization and persistent cough.
References
1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Cough with Wind-Heat Invading the Lung.
2. DB-TCMJB: Wind-Heat Invading the Lung.
3. DB-XJB: Sang Ju Yin.
4. WHO. (2023). Respiratory health. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com –
Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for respiratory
health.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM cough management.
Related TCM Patterns for Chronic Cough
- Wind-Cold Attacking the Lung
- Phlegm-Dampness Accumulation in the Lung
- Phlegm-Heat Stagnation in the Lung
- Lung-Yin Deficiency
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.