Karel's Nutrition Blog

Bronchitis Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic lung function impairment; recurrent bronchitis/chronic bronchitis	Lung qi vacuity
Chronic bronchitis with phlegm production (and phlegm retention in lung)	Lung qi or spleen qi vacuity
Chronic bronchitis with constitutional lung function impairment	Lung yin and kidney yin vacuity

According to TCM:

Cough "ke sou" and phlegm "tan yin" are caused by chronic vacuity of lung, spleen, and kidney. Treatment should primarily consist of acupuncture and herbal therapy, accompanied by dietary measures. Over a longer period (weeks to months), nutritional therapy can noticeably strengthen organ function and reduce formation of phlegm.

f1 Chronic bronchitis is primarily a mixed syndrome of the above-mentioned primary syndromes. Treatment should target the primary syndrome. Treatment principles for nutritional therapy are supplementing the spleen for phlegm reduction and supplementing the lung and kidney to make up for chronic vacuity.

■ Chronic Lung Function Impairment; Recurrent Bronchitis/Chronic Bronchitis Lung Qi Vacuity

Symptoms

Weak cough; thin, clear sputum; spontaneous perspiration, fatigue, susceptibility to infection. Tongue: Pale Pulse: Weak

Causes

Protracted and persistent cough weakens lung qi; constitutional weakness; general exhaustion (especially in old age).

Therapy

Therapy

Raw, cool, and cold foods, and bitter flavor.

Recommended:

Thermal nature	Neutral and warm
Organ network	Lung, spleen
Flavor	Slightly acrid, slightly sweet
Preparation methods	Boiled, steamed, fried
Meat	Duck
Fish	Carp
Fruit	Grapes
Vegetables	Cauliflower, carrots, onions
Grains	Oats, short-grain (glutinous) rice
Spices	Aniseed, ginger, garlic, rosemary, thyme
Nuts and seeds	Chestnuts, almonds, black sesame, sunflower seeds, walnuts
Other	Alcoholic beverages

Congee (see p. 117) with rice, onion, and ginger

■ Chronic Bronchitis with Phlegm Production (and Phlegm Retention in Lung)

Spleen Qi Vacuity and Lung Qi Vacuity Symptoms

Cough with excessive white sputum, sensation of fullness in chest, fatigue, lack of appetite, soft stools.

Tongue: Whitish, slimy fur Pulse: Slippery

Causes

Protracted or constitutional damage to lung qi, chronic spleen qi vacuity caused by inappropriate diet and overwork.

Therapy

Transform phlegm Supplement spleen Supplement lung

• LU-9 • BL-13 • ST-40 • CV-12 iP • PC-6 • SP-3 • BL-20
• Avoid:

Raw, cold, and cool foods; dairy products, excess sweets, excess meat.

Thermal nature	Neutral and warm
Organ network	Spleen, heart, lung
Flavor	Slightly sweet, slightly bitter, slightly acrid
Preparation methods	Boiled, fried, steamed
Transform phlegm:
Fruit	Pears, cherries, apples
Vegetables	Leeks, radish
Grains	Millet
Spices	Ginger, garlic
Supplement spleen:
Meat	Poultry, beef
Vegetables	Fennel, carrots
Grains	Oats, millet, rice
Spices	Aniseed, basil, ginger, coriander, thyme

Millet or rice dishes with acrid seasonings

Recommended:

• see "Lung Qi Vacuity," p. 79)
• Chronic Bronchitis, Constitutional Lung Disorder

Lung Yin Vacuity and Kidney Yin Vacuity

Symptoms

Dry cough, dry throat, chronic shortness of breath, weakness in knee and back, hot hands and feet, subfebrile temperatures in the afternoon. Tongue: Red, dry, possibly no fur Pulse: Thin

Causes

Protracted smoldering illness, chronic exhaustion, physiological process of aging.

Therapy

Recommended:

Warm and hot foods, excess bitter and acrid flavor.

Recommended:

Thermal nature	Neutral and cool
Organ network	Lung, spleen, kidney
Flavor	Sweet, slightly salty
Preparation methods	Raw, steamed, boiled
Supplementing lung yin:
Meat	Duck, pork
Fruit	Pears, tangerines, apricots, figs
Vegetables	Eggplant, button or crimini/portobella mushrooms, carrots, water chestnuts
Spices	Honey
Nuts and seeds	Peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts
Dairy products	Butter, yogurt, farmer's cheese, cottage cheese, cow's milk
Soy products	Soy milk
Supplementing kidney yin:
Meat	Duck, pork
Fish	Oysters, perch, octopus
Fruit	Cherries, grapes
Vegetables	Carrots
Grains	Wheat, corn
Nuts and seeds	Black sesame, walnuts
Other	Sheep's milk and goat's milk products

For dry cough:

Milk with honey, almond milk

Restorative soup with carrots and pork