Postnasal Drip

Consultation Flow: Stage 1 (Diagnosis of Differential Diagnosis) — Listen to the color, viscosity, and timing of exacerbation of secretions; accompanying symptoms of rhinitis, reflux, and cough; and occupational or environmental exposure. Differentiate between Lung Deficiency, Cold Phlegm, and Heat Phlegm through pulse and tongue diagnosis. Stage 2 (Prescription of Herbal Decoction) — Clear and watery secretions (Cold Phlegm): Herbal medicines that relieve cold symptoms and clear phlegm, or those that soothe clear runny nose and sneezing. Sticky and yellow secretions (Heat Phlegm): Herbal medicines that treat phlegm-Yang in the body, or those that reduce heat in the head to manage pain. Chronic/Recurrent Type: Addition of prescriptions to strengthen the spleen and lungs, such as herbal medicines that nourish the spleen and stomach to reduce phlegm. Stage 3 (Acupuncture/Pharmacopuncture) — Application of acupuncture and pharmacopuncture to acupoints on the nasal passages and lung meridians, including the sides of the nostrils, between the eyebrows, the hands, and the lung water point. Relief of congestion through nasal bloodletting. Stage 4 (Maintenance) — Reduction of herbal decoction dosage after secretions decrease, and dietary and lifestyle guidance to prevent recurrence. The key to the prescription is accurately identifying the nature of the phlegm (whether it is cold or hot) first. Using the same herbal decoction without differential diagnosis can actually worsen symptoms.