1
External wind-heat
- Key distinguishing signs
- Acute pain with mild fever, cough, nasal symptoms and red throat, rapid floating pulse
- Treatment principle
- Disperse wind-heat and benefit the throat
ENT & Eyeyān hóu zhǒng tòng
Sore throat
Also called:throat painpharyngitis
From the TCM perspective: Sore throat: external heat or internal fire
Overview
Sore throat is irritation and pain on swallowing, often with redness and swelling. TCM usually attributes acute cases to external wind-heat or exuberant lung-stomach heat; recurrent ones may be yin-deficiency deficiency fire or dryness.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Exuberant lung-stomach heat
- Key distinguishing signs
- Severe pain and swelling, difficult swallowing, thirst, bad breath, constipation, red tongue with yellow coat
- Treatment principle
- Clear heat and resolve toxicity, reduce swelling
3
Yin-deficiency deficiency fire
- Key distinguishing signs
- Mild chronic pain with a dry throat worse at night, weak voice, night sweats, dry red tongue
- Treatment principle
- Nourish yin and downbear deficiency fire
4
Spleen deficiency with damp accumulation
- Key distinguishing signs
- Recurrent pain with phlegm, a muffled voice, heaviness, fatigue and poor appetite, pale enlarged tongue
- Treatment principle
- Strengthen the spleen and transform dampness
Daily self-care
- Gargle with warm salt water, drink warm fluids and rest the voice.
- For heat: honey/mint/chamomile, avoid hot and fried food; for dryness: hydrate and humidify.
- Humidify air and avoid secondhand smoke.
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- Trouble breathing, swallowing, opening the mouth, or uncontrolled drooling.
- Uvula/severe swelling with a muffled voice and fever (possible abscess).
- Pain over a week, or hoarseness over 3 weeks, or a neck lump.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.