It's truly no exaggeration to say that all diseases stem from phlegm! Many people think of phlegm only as the stuff you cough up, but in the view of Traditional Chinese Medicine, all those sticky, troublesome substances in the body that obstruct the flow of Qi and blood are considered phlegm. Today, I’m sharing 3 highly practical methods for eliminating phlegm by pairing Xiao Yao Wan with other formulas. Whether it's sticky phlegm, stubborn phlegm, cold phlegm, or heat phlegm, we can address them according to their specific patterns!

1. Xiao Yao Wan + Qing Fei Hua Tan Wan (Lung-Clearing and Phlegm-Transforming Pill)

Have you ever had this experience? It feels like there's a sticky glue stuck in your throat, the phlegm you cough up is yellow and thick, and you often feel thirsty and irritable, even with a slight fever? At times like these, simply resolving phlegm isn’t enough—you need to regulate both the liver and the lungs together!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the liver governs free flow of qi. When liver qi is not flowing smoothly, it can affect the digestive function of the spleen and stomach. The dampness and phlegm produced can then travel to the lungs, and when exposed to heat, it transforms into heat phlegm. Xiaoyao Wan specifically soothes the liver and strengthens the spleen, regulating the stagnant liver qi. Qingfei Huatan Wan acts as a cleaner for the lungs, thoroughly clearing away heat phlegm. Combining these two medications is like giving the body a deep cleansing—once the phlegm is gone, breathing becomes much easier!

II. Xiaoyao Wan + Shenling Baizhu San

If you frequently cough up thin, white phlegm, constantly feel fatigued, and your legs feel as heavy as lead when walking, while also being prone to overthinking and low mood, it’s likely due to liver stagnation and spleen deficiency causing trouble!

The spleen is the main force in our body for transporting and transforming water dampness. Once liver qi becomes stagnant, the spleen and stomach cannot function normally, water dampness cannot be metabolized, and gradually, phlegm forms. Xiaoyao Wan is responsible for soothing the liver and regulating qi, while Shenling Baizhu San strengthens the spleen, dispels dampness, and resolves phlegm turbidity. One promotes smooth liver qi, while the other regulates the spleen and stomach. The combination of these two is like turning on a highly efficient dehumidifier for the body, extracting all the dampness from the spleen and stomach, leaving a person instantly revitalized and full of energy.

III. Xiaoyao Wan + Jinkui Shenqi Wan

If you have a persistent cough, sticky phlegm that can form strings, difficulty breathing, and usually feel more sensitive to cold, and men may also experience a lack of energy? This is actually a problem with the liver and kidneys! The kidneys are the foundation of congenital essence. If kidney yang is insufficient, water metabolism becomes disordered, and combined with liver qi stagnation, phlegm dampness becomes particularly stubborn.

You may consider using Xiaoyao Wan first to soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen, laying a solid foundation. Then, use Jinkui Shenqi Wan to warm and nourish kidney yang, replenishing the body's yang energy. When kidney yang is sufficient, the body’s metabolic capacity strengthens, providing enough "firepower" to gradually resolve the stubborn phlegm dampness!

Finally, one last reminder: even the best medicine should not be taken casually! The content of this article is for educational purposes only. Everyone's constitution and symptoms differ, so it is advisable to consult a reliable Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner first. Using medication under a doctor’s guidance is safer and more effective!