Catarrh

Acute Rhinitis, Acute Viral Nasopharyngitis, Coryza
Catarrh is acute inflammation of the mucous of the Upper Respiratory Tract, typically including acute rhinitis, acute nasopharyngitis and common cold.

The Western Tradition held this to be caused by ‘distillations’ from ‘vapors’ rising from the Stomach. Despite this seeming to be a foreign concept to TCM, it is actually related to the Lungs (and Upper Respiratory Tract) being the ‘Upper Source of Water’ in TCM fluid metabolism theory.

Treatment may include clearing Wind-Cold with Warm Medicines, strengthening the Stomach, clearing Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat, or resolving Damp.


Western Tradition

Simples
Angelica
Betony
Lavender
Indian Spikenard
Marjoram
Storax
Elder flower
Hyssop
Eyebright
Calamus
Oregano
Myrrh

Formulas

Decoction for Catarrh (Alcalá)
Wine for Catarrh
Tincture of Mastic
Tincture of Sage
Tincture of Lemon Thyme
Electuary which is Remarkably Effective
Confection for Catarrh
Troches of Squill (Trochisci Scilliae)
Pills for Catarrh
Pills of Agaric (Avicenna)
Pills of Amber
Pills to Cleanse the Chest
Pills to Hold in the Mouth for Catarrh


Heat-type
Pectoral Decoction (Augustana)
Troches of Barberries (Trochisci de Berberis) (Mesue)
Troches of Camphor (Nicholas)
Troches of Sandalwoods (Trochisci Santalon) (Mesue)


Cold-Type
Decoction for Arthritis (Mynsichts)
Powder for Catarrh
Powder for Catarrh (Grulingus)
Pills for Catarrh
Oxymel of Squill
Wine for Catarrh of Pope Adrian
Antidotum Epilepticus (Nicholas)

Chinese Classification

Simples
Xanthium Cang Er Zi
Platycodon Jie Geng
Magnolia Xin Yi Hua
Ephedra Ma Huang
Angelica Bai Zhi
Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi)
Asarum Xi Xin
Ginger (Gan Jiang)

Formulas

Gui Zhi Tang
Xin Ye San
Cang Er Zi San
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Da Qing Long Tang
Yu Ping Feng San