Persistent Phlegm and Cough After COVID-19? Singapore’s Gong Fang Tang TCM Expert Qiu Baorun Shares a Formula to Resolve Phlegm and Stop Cough!
Why Does Post-COVID Phlegm and Cough Persist?
Post-Viral Inflammatory Response
COVID-19 damages the respiratory mucosa, stimulating excessive mucus production and forming phlegm. Coughing is the body’s natural reflex to expel phlegm and irritants.
Potential Secondary Bacterial Infection
If phlegm turns yellow-green, thick, or foul-smelling, it may indicate a bacterial infection, requiring medical evaluation for antibiotics.
Risks of Untreated Chronic Cough
Decline in Lung Function: Prolonged coughing increases the risk of emphysema and COPD by 30%.
Spleen-Stomach Weakness: Phlegm-dampness burdens the spleen, leading to reduced appetite and malnutrition.
Social Impact: Frequent throat-clearing and coughing harm professional image and mental health.
How Does TCM Treat Persistent Post-COVID Cough?
Dr. Que Poh Yuen Albert of Singapore’s Gong Fang Tang TCM explains that COVID-19 belongs to the “damp-toxin epidemic” category. Lingering coughs result from residual pathogens, impaired lung Qi descent, and pre-existing internal imbalances. Patients with deficient constitutions struggle to expel pathogens, leading to chronic cough due to disrupted lung Qi and lingering damp-phlegm.
Century-Old Formula: Shensu Decoction (参苏饮)
This formula addresses post-COVID fatigue, shortness of breath, and cough by dispelling pathogens, boosting Qi, and resolving phlegm-dampness.
Typical Symptoms of Post-COVID Cough (Qi Deficiency with Wind-Cold and Phlegm-Dampness):
Recurrent cough worsened by cold ✅
Profuse white, thin/sticky phlegm ✅
Fatigue, shortness of breath, poor appetite ✅
Pale tongue with white greasy coating, weak-thin pulse.
Caution: Indiscriminate use of cold-natured cough syrups (e.g., Chuanbei Pipagao, Pudilan) may damage Yang Qi and worsen dampness. Shensu Decoction gently strengthens without stagnation, ideal for虚弱 (deficient) patients.
Shensu Decoction Ingredients:
Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye)
Kudzu Root (Ge Gen)
Pinellia (Ban Xia)
Hogfennel Root (Qian Hu)
Poria (Fu Ling)
Bitter Orange (Zhi Ke)
Costus Root (Mu Xiang)
Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
Licorice (Gan Cao)
Platycodon Root (Jie Geng)
Formula Breakdown:
Primary Herbs: Perilla Leaf and Kudzu Root dispel wind-cold and pathogens.
Secondary Herbs: Hogfennel, Pinellia, and Platycodon resolve phlegm, regulate lung Qi; Tangerine Peel and Bitter Orange soothe chest Qi stagnation.
Supporting Herbs: Ginseng boosts Qi to expel pathogens; Poria and Pinellia dissolve phlegm; Costus Root aids digestion.
Harmonizer: Licorice harmonizes the formula and strengthens Qi.
Case Study
Patient: Ms. Wang, 33 years old.
Complaint: Persistent cough for 14 days post-COVID recovery. Worsens with daytime cold exposure; nighttime phlegm obstruction requiring 3–4 throat clearings; extreme fatigue.
Diagnosis: Pale tongue with teeth marks, weak-thin pulse.
TCM Pattern: Qi deficiency with external pathogen, internal phlegm-dampness.
Treatment: Modified Shensu Decoction.
Formula: Codonopsis (15g), Perilla Leaf (10g), Hogfennel (10g), Pinellia (9g), Poria (15g), Tangerine Peel (9g), Platycodon (6g), Licorice (6g), Almond (10g), Aster Root (10g). 5 doses, decocted in water, 1 dose daily, taken 3 times a day.
Outcome:
Day 2: Nighttime cough reduced by 50%, thinner phlegm.
Day 5: Cough resolved, energy restored.
