Is tonsillitis easy to treat? Does it still require Chinese medicine?

Tonsillitis is also very common among children. Patients will experience high fever, cough, itchy throat and foreign body sensation. Acute tonsillitis is generally more common. In severe cases, young children may also experience drowsiness and convulsions. Traditional Chinese medicine is very effective in treating tonsillitis.

1. Wind evil invasion syndrome

[Symptoms] At the beginning of the disease, the throat becomes dry and burning, and the pain gradually increases, especially when swallowing. Symptoms include headache, fever, slight aversion to wind, cough, red tongue, thin yellow tongue coating, and floating and rapid pulse. Examination showed that the laryngeal nucleus was red and swollen, extending to the larynx, and there was a small amount of yellow-white rot on the surface of the laryngeal nucleus.

[Treatment method] Dispel wind and heat, relieve sore throat and reduce swelling.

[Prescription] Shufengqingre Decoction (from Lecture Notes on Traditional Chinese Medicine Laryngology) with modifications.

[Usage] Saposhnikovia divaricata 6g, honeysuckle 9g, forsythia suspensa 9g, scutellaria 10g, red peony root 9g, arctium fruit 6g, platycodon 6g, liquorice 4.5g, mulberry bark 9g, Scrophularia ningpoensis 9g, Fritillaria thunbergii 9g, and Radix Trichosanthis 9g.

2. Lung and stomach heat syndrome

[Symptoms] Severe pain in the throat that extends to the ears, difficulty swallowing, and excessive sputum. Systemic symptoms include high fever, thirst, cough with thick yellow sputum, bad breath, abdominal distension, constipation, yellow urine, red tongue, yellow coating, and a strong and rapid pulse. Examination showed that the laryngeal tubercle was red and swollen, with yellow-white pus spots, and in severe cases, the surface of the laryngeal tubercle was covered with pus, the pharyngeal isthmus was red and swollen, and there was a tubercle under the jaw.

[Treatment method] Clear heat, detoxify, relieve sore throat and reduce swelling.

[Prescription] Qingyan Lifei Decoction (from "Explanation of Surgery") with modifications.

[Usage] 10g of Schizonepeta, 10g of Saposhnikovia, 6g of Mentha, 10g of Gardenia, 10g of Scutellaria, 6g of Coptis, 15g of Honeysuckle, 15g of Forsythia, 10g of Platycodon, 6g of Licorice, 10g of Burdock, 12g of Scrophularia, 10g of Raw Rhubarb (added later), 6g of Xuanming Powder (taken with water).

3. Yin deficiency and evil stagnation syndrome

[Symptoms] Dry and burning throat, slight itching and pain, choking and difficulty in speaking, and symptoms worsen in the afternoon. Symptoms all over the body include red cheeks in the afternoon, hot palms and soles, insomnia and frequent dreams, or dry cough with little sticky sputum, tinnitus and dizziness, sore waist and knees, dry stool, dry and red tongue with little coating, and thin and rapid pulse. Examination revealed that the laryngeal nucleus was enlarged or shriveled, with an uneven surface, flushed color, or with fine white spots. When the laryngeal nucleus was squeezed, yellow-white decayed matter overflowed from the crypt opening.

[Treatment method] Nourish the lungs and kidneys, clear the throat.

[Prescription] Lily Gujin Decoction (from "Yi Fang Ji Jie") with modifications.

[Usage] Lily 15g, Scrophularia 15g, Ophiopogon 15g, Raw Rehmannia 15g, Rehmannia glutinosa 15g, Angelica 6g, Peony 15g, Fritillaria thunbergii 12g, Platycodon 12g, Licorice 6g.

4. Qi Deficiency and Evil Stagnation Syndrome

[Symptoms] Dry and itchy throat, foreign body obstruction sensation, cough with white sputum, chest and abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting, bland mouth without thirst, loose stools, pale tongue, greasy white tongue coating, and slow and weak pulse. Examination showed that the laryngeal nucleus was light red or dark, enlarged, and exuded white sticky pus.

[Treatment method] Strengthen the spleen and stomach, remove dampness and relieve sore throat.

[Prescription] Liujunzi Decoction (from Annotated Prescriptions for Women) with modifications.

[Usage] Codonopsis pilosula 15g, Atractylodes macrocephala 15g, Licorice root 10g, Poria 15g, Tangerine peel 10g, Pinellia ternata 12g. Add or subtract: If the dampness is severe, add Magnolia officinalis and Citrus aurantium to promote the flow of Qi, remove dampness and relieve sore throat; if the laryngeal swelling does not go away, add Fritillaria thunbergii and raw oyster to resolve phlegm, soften hard masses and disperse nodules.