There are two types of sore throat: chronic and acute. Acute forms of sore throat are based on wind heat and so may manifest symptoms such as a rapid, floating pulse, cough with yellow phlegm, and fever.

The traditional Chinese medicine remedy for a sore throat diagnosis is Yin Chiao Hsie Du Pian. The more immediate the formula is taken, the more effective and quicker its effects. For a severe type of sore throat, this formula is added with Chuan Hsin Lian Antiphlogistic tablets or pills. If they don’t work and the sore throat gets more serious, you need to see a doctor ASAP.

A chronic sore throat oftentimes is due to an underlying deficiency of yin since a deficient yin means the body lacks a cooling system that may lead to chronic inflammation. Yin deficiency symptoms can include insomnia, irritability, night sweats, dry mouth, a red tongue with little or no coating, and a rapid, thin pulse. The plan of treatment is to clear the heat and tonify yin using remedies such as Rehmannia Tea remedies. These formulas need to be taken for a few months in order to produce longstanding benefits. Acute sore throats often diminish after one to two days of acupuncture and herbal medicine. The LI (Large Intestine) 4 and 11 (Crooked Pool) are usually needled for this condition. For severe symptoms, the Lung 10 point is quite effective. This point, however, may elicit pain when it is needled and so is only treated when the sore throat is especially painful and severe and the patient doesn’t mind feeling a little pain to alleviate his painful symptoms.