Disclaimer: All herbal teas, medicinal soups, acupuncture and Tui Na described in this article are only auxiliary wellness regimens for traditional health maintenance, not formal medical treatments. They cannot replace professional physician diagnosis, prescription drugs or clinical therapies. Anyone diagnosed with physical diseases shall strictly follow the treatment plans formulated by licensed medical practitioners. All TCM terminology, wellness regulation theories and traditional health philosophies in this text are solely for the inheritance, popularization and cultural exchange of traditional Chinese medicine. No content herein shall be deemed guidance for clinical diagnosis or medical treatment. Read more
Chronic pharyngitis is a chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, which can result from recurrent episodes of acute pharyngitis or be caused by long-term stimulation from tobacco and alcohol. Patients with chronic rhinitis or sinusitis often breathe through their mouths due to nasal congestion, or the purulent secretions can irritate the pharynx, leading to the onset of this condition. Additionally, anemia, indigestion, Liver wellness, Kidney wellness, and certain specific occupations can also contribute to the development of this condition.
The clinical manifestations of chronic pharyngitis include: a sensation of discomfort or foreign body in the pharynx, dryness, itching, burning, mild pain, irritation, etc. These sensations often lead to short and frequent coughing, which is more severe in the morning and can easily trigger nausea. The above-mentioned signs of imbalance may worsen after excessive voice use, sudden climate changes, inhalation of dry and cold air, or exposure to tobacco and alcohol.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this condition is often attributed to insufficient Kidney Water (Shen Shui), with upward movement of deficient fire consuming and scorching Lung Yin, and affecting the throat. It may also be triggered by excessive consumption of stimulating substances such as tobacco, alcohol, sour, and spicy foods.
1. Lung Heat Pattern: Often with a history of acute pharyngitis, characterized by recurrent episodes, sore throat discomfort, or accompanied by slight cough, thirst with a desire to drink, thin white tongue coating, slightly red tongue proper, and wiry-thin pulse. The supports principle is to nourish Yin and clear Lung heat, which helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports Lung health.
2. Deficient Fire Pattern: Hoarseness, coarse voice, or even aphonia, often worse in the morning; pale red or dark red throat, dry throat, sore throat, accompanied by cough, red lips and cheeks, mental fatigue, thin white tongue coating with red tongue proper, and thin and rapid pulse. The supports principle is to nourish Yin and subdue fire, which helps maintain a balanced internal environment.
Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xuanshen) and Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) Tea
Ingredients: Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xuanshen) 15 grams, Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) 10 grams, Sophora tonkinensis (Shandougen) 12 grams, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jiegeng) 6 grams, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (raw) (Shenggancao) 6 grams, Belamcanda chinensis (Shegan) 10 grams.
Preparation Method: Grind the above herbs into a coarse powder, place them in a vacuum flask, pour boiling water over them, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then consume as a tea substitute. One dose per day.
Function: Helps nourish Yin and clear Lung heat. supports the health of individuals with a Lung-heat pattern in chronic pharyngitis.
1.Ophiopogon japonicus (Tiandong) and Citrus reticulata (Juluo) Tea
Ingredients: Ophiopogon japonicus (Tianmendong) 30 grams, Citrus reticulata pericarpium (Juluo) 15 grams.
Preparation method: Process Ophiopogon japonicus (Tianmendong) into coarse powder, put it together with Citrus reticulata pericarpium vasculare (Juluo) into a vacuum flask, pour boiling water into it, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then use it as tea. One dose per day.
Function: Helps nourish Yin and clear Lung heat, supports moistening dryness and transforming phlegm. Used to support the health of individuals with a Lung-heat pattern in chronic pharyngitis.
2.Chishao Gualou Tea (Paeonia lactiflora (Chishao) and Trichosanthes kirilowii (Gualou) Tea)
Ingredients: Paeonia lactiflora (Chishao) 10 grams, Trichosanthes kirilowii seed (Gualouren) 15 grams.
Preparation Method: Coarsely grind the two ingredients together, place them in a vacuum flask, pour boiling water over them, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then consume as tea. One dose per day.
Function: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports healthy blood circulation, reduces swelling and resolves phlegm. supports respiratory health in cases of Lung heat-related patterns.
3.Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Ophiopogonis Radix Tea
Ingredients: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) 10 grams, Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong) 10 grams, 2 pieces of Sterculiae Lychnophorae Semen (Pangdahai).
Preparation Method: Place the three ingredients together in a cup, steep with boiling water, and use as a tea substitute. One dose per day.
Functions: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports Lung moisture to benefit the throat. Used to support throat health in cases of Lung heat-related chronic throat discomfort.
4.Rehmannia and Polygonatum Odoratum Tea
Ingredients: Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdi) 30 grams, Polygonatum odoratum (Yufu) 30 grams, Cinnamomum cassia (Guizhi) 3 grams.
Preparation method: Grind the above three ingredients into coarse powder together, place them in a vacuum flask, pour boiling water over them, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then consume as a tea substitute. One dose per day.
Functions: helps maintain a balanced internal environment by nourishing Yin and clearing heat, supports healthy fluid metabolism by moistening dryness and promoting diuresis. Used to support throat health in cases of chronic pharyngitis with Lung heat pattern.
5.Shuangdi Xuanshen Tea
Ingredients: Rehmannia glutinosa (Shudi, Prepared Rehmannia Root) 12g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdi, Raw Rehmannia Root) 12g, Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xuanshen, Chinese Figwort Root) 15g, Phellodendron amurense (Huangbo, Amur Corktree Bark) 10g, Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber) 10g, Paeonia suffruticosa (Danpi, Tree Peony Bark) 10g.
Preparation Method: Grind the above herbs into coarse powder, place them in a vacuum flask, pour boiling water over them, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then consume as a tea substitute. One dose per day.
Function: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and nourish Yin. supports the health of individuals with a pattern of deficient fire related to chronic pharyngitis.
6.Trollius chinensis tea
Ingredients: Trollius chinensis Bunge (Jin Lian Hua) 5 grams.
Preparation method: Place Trollius chinensis (Jinlianhua) in a cup, pour boiling water over it, and use it as a tea substitute. One dose per day.
Functions: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports healthy swelling reduction and throat comfort. Used to support throat health in cases of acute or chronic pharyngitis.
7.Luffa Tea
Ingredients: 500 grams of tender loofah (Luffa cylindrica), 30 grams of white sugar.
Preparation Method: Wash the luffa, chop it into pieces, crush and squeeze to obtain the juice, mix with white sugar, and use as a tea substitute. One dose per day.
Functions: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports healthy blood circulation, helps with occasional discomfort. Used to support throat health in cases of Lung heat-related chronic pharyngeal conditions.
8.Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao) and Platycodon grandiflorus (Jiegeng) Tea
Ingredients: Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Sheng Gancao) 5 grams, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jiegeng) 10 grams.
Preparation Method: Place the two ingredients in a cup, steep with boiling water, and use as a tea substitute. Take 1-2 doses daily.
Function: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports Lung health by moistening and transforming phlegm. Used to support throat health in cases of acute or chronic pharyngitis.
9.Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) and Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen) Tea
Ingredients: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) 9g, Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen) 9g, Terminaliae Chebulae Fructus Immaturus (Qingguo) 9g.
Preparation method: Coarsely grind Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xuanshen) and Terminalia chebula Retz. (Qingguo) together, place them in a vacuum flask along with Lonicera japonica (Jinyinhua), pour boiling water over them, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then consume as tea. One dose per day.
Functions: helps maintain a balanced internal environment by nourishing Yin and clearing heat, supports throat health by detoxifying and soothing. Used to support individuals with chronic pharyngitis characterized by Lung heat patterns.
TCM Terminology Disclaimer:All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, descriptions, and wellness expressions including but not limited to nourishing lungs, soothing throat discomfort, supporting respiratory comfort, clearing mild internal heat, balancing qi and blood, harmonizing bodily functions, and regulating general wellness featured on this website are traditional TCM cultural descriptions and historical wellness theories only. These phrases are used solely for traditional TCM knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation. They do not constitute medical efficacy claims, have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All TCM wording describes traditional auxiliary wellness conditioning effects only and should never be interpreted as clinical medical treatment results. Individuals with confirmed illnesses must seek professional medical diagnosis and follow standard Western medical treatment.
FDA Mandatory Disclaimer：These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Chinese herbal dietary supplements and traditional wellness practices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and serve only as daily auxiliary health support. If you have been diagnosed with any illness, please seek professional medical care and follow standard Western medical treatment regimens.
Great read! I’ve been dealing with chronic pharyngitis for years, especially after quitting smoking. Definitely going to try some of these TCM teas—anything to soothe that constant tickle without reaching for antibiotics again. Thanks for the natural remedy ideas!
Love this! I’ve been dealing with chronic pharyngitis for years, and these herbal tea suggestions are a game-changer. Definitely going to try the lung heat recipe. Thanks for sharing such practical TCM advice!
I’ve been dealing with a stubborn sore throat for months—definitely going to try some of these herbal teas. Love how TCM focuses on balancing the root cause rather than just masking symptoms. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been dealing with chronic pharyngitis for years, and these TCM tea ideas sound super helpful! I’ve tried a few herbal blends before, but never targeted for lung heat. Definitely bookmarking this—thanks for sharing such practical remedies!