Chronic Phlegm — Korean Medicine Treatment for Persistent Sputum

There is always phlegm in my throat

Even without a cold, phlegm sits constantly in the throat and you have to clear it with a forced cough to feel comfortable. This state can last weeks or even months. The phlegm ranges in character from clear and watery to sticky and yellow.

Phlegm-fluid retention (痰飮) in Korean medicine

Phlegm-fluid retention is a state in which faulty water metabolism turns what should be normal body fluids (津液) into the abnormal substance called phlegm (痰).

• Spleen deficiency producing phlegm (脾虛生痰): A weak spleen-stomach cannot process fluids → abundant clear phlegm — Ijin-tang (二陳湯, Er Chen Tang)
• Lung-heat phlegm (肺熱痰): Heat in the lungs concentrates the phlegm → yellow, sticky sputum — Cheonggeumhwadam-tang (淸金化痰湯)
• Phlegm-fluid retention (痰飮): Phlegm with the sound of water — sloshing fluid in the stomach — Sobanha-tang plus Oryeong-san (小半夏湯 + 五苓散)

Treatment principle: Treat the spleen and the phlegm disappears

"Treating phlegm without treating the spleen is no real treatment" (治痰不治脾 非無成治). Restoring spleen-stomach function so that water metabolism returns to normal is the cornerstone of treating chronic phlegm.

Lifestyle care to reduce phlegm

• Dairy and wheat-based foods readily generate phlegm → cut back on excessive intake
• Sip warm water often to keep phlegm thinned out
• Greasy foods and late-night meals burden the spleen-stomach → they promote phlegm formation