Chronic Pharyngitis - Lung-Kidney Yin Deficiency Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for chronic pharyngitis
Chronic Pharyngitis · Lung-Kidney Yin Deficiency Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Head
Pattern Overview
Lung-Kidney Yin Deficiency is the core pattern in chronic pharyngitis,
characterized by **pharyngeal mucosal atrophy, dry throat with mild
pain, dry cough with scanty sputum, afternoon aggravation, and
hoarseness. The core pathogenesis is Lung-Kidney Yin deficiency with
deficiency fire blazing upward**, causing pharyngeal mucosal atrophy,
reduced glandular secretion, and chronic irritation.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
scanty sputum, afternoon aggravation |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
mouth, soreness in the lower back and knees |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
thready and rapid pulse |
| Pathogenesis |
|---|
blazing upward |
| Etiology |
|---|
aging, constitutional Yin deficiency |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| Taixi (KI3) |
|---|
tendon | Source point of Kidney meridian; nourishes Kidney-Yin |
| Zhaohai (KI6) | 1 cun below the medial malleolus |
|---|
and moistens the throat |
| Lieque (LU7) |
|---|
depression between the tendons | Diffuses the Lung and relieves cough |
| Lianquan (RN23) |
|---|
midpoint of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage | Local point;
moistens the throat |
| Yuji (LU10) |
|---|
metacarpal | Spring point of Lung meridian; clears Lung Heat and
relieves sore throat |
Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; may
combine with moxibustion at Zhaohai to nourish Yin.
Herbal Formula
Base Formula: Bai He Gu Jin Tang (百合固金汤) or Sha Shen Mai Dong
Tang (沙参麦冬汤)
Composition:
Lily Bulb (Bai He), Rehmannia (Sheng Di), Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di),
Ophiopogon (Mai Dong), Scrophularia (Xuan Shen), Angelica (Dang Gui),
White Peony (Bai Shao), Fritillaria (Bei Mu), Glehnia (Sha Shen),
Polygonatum (Yu Zhu), Licorice (Gan Cao)
Action: Nourishes Lung-Kidney Yin, moistens the throat, and relieves
cough.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Severe dry throat |
|---|
moisten dryness |
| Dry cough |
|---|
|
| Hoarseness |
|---|
improve voice |
| Deficiency fire | Add Zhi Mu, Huang Bai to clear deficiency heat |
|---|
| Soreness in lower back and knees |
|---|
the lower back |
Western Mechanism Reference
Pharyngeal mucosal atrophy with reduced glandular secretion, pharyngeal
epithelial cell apoptosis, and mucous gland atrophy. Lung-Kidney Yin
Deficiency corresponds to chronic atrophic pharyngitis, where mucosal
atrophy and reduced glandular secretion contribute to dry throat and
chronic irritation.
References
1. Otolaryngology of TCM - Chronic Pharyngitis with Lung-Kidney Yin
Deficiency.
2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Lung-Yin Deficiency + Kidney-Yin
Deficiency → Cross-layer.
3. WHO. (2023). Respiratory health. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com –
Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for throat health.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM respiratory health.
Related TCM Patterns for Chronic Pharyngitis
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.