01/11/2025
🩺 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭
Recently, many people have been getting sore throats — entire offices coughing, throats feeling dry, swollen, or stuck. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this “collective pharyngitis” happens when dryness, fatigue, and viral infections weaken the lungs and throat.
💨 Why your throat feels uncomfortable
Pharyngitis is inflammation of the throat’s lining, often caused by viruses like influenza or COVID-19, but also by bacteria, smoke, dust, or acid reflux. In TCM, external dryness invades the lungs, depleting fluids and damaging lung Qi, leading to dryness, soreness, and itchiness in the throat.
🌿 Common TCM patterns behind sore throats
• Yin deficiency and lung dryness: Dry, burning throat with dry cough and little phlegm.
• Lung and spleen deficiency: Persistent throat irritation, low energy, weak voice, loose stools.
• Phlegm-heat accumulation: Thick yellow phlegm, redness, swelling, and pain that worsen with talking or tiredness.
💧 Simple TCM ways to soothe the throat
• Stay hydrated: Sip warm water or herbal teas such as honeysuckle-chrysanthemum or monk fruit tea to moisten dryness.
• Gargle with salt water: Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup (250 ml) of warm water to cleanse the throat and reduce inflammation.
• Steam inhalation: Lean over a cup of warm water (below 60 °C) and breathe in the steam for 10–15 minutes twice a day.
• Acupoint massage: Gently press the Shaoshang (thumb tip), Yuji (base of thumb), and Zhaohai (inner ankle) points for 1–2 minutes each to relieve heat and irritation.
🍐 Healing foods for throat recovery
• Tremella, lily, and lotus seed porridge – nourishes Yin and eases dryness.
• Stewed pear with fritillary bulb and rock sugar – clears heat and soothes cough.
• Fig and lean meat soup – replenishes fluids and relieves soreness.
😷 Daily habits for prevention
Avoid spicy, fried, and cold foods. Keep indoor air moist, rest well, and stay away from secondhand smoke. Wear a mask in dusty areas and manage stress to support lung health.
💗 Whether your sore throat is caused by dryness, infection, or overuse, early attention and proper TCM care can bring quick relief and prevent recurrence.
