If you’re constantly clearing your throat, feeling foggy, or waking up with that mysterious sticky coating on your tongue… yeah, that’s phlegm. Not just a winter cold thing — in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), phlegm is a whole situation.
The good news? You can clear it. The better news? You can keep it from coming back.
First things first: where is all this phlegm coming from?
In TCM, phlegm isn’t just something you cough up — it’s a byproduct of weak digestion and internal dampness. And guess what helps create that sticky, sluggish mess? Two of your faves: dairy and sugar.
Dairy is cold and heavy. Sugar is damp and cloying. Together, they overwhelm your Spleen— the organ in charge of transforming food into clean energy (Qi) and fluid. When the Spleen is tired or out of balance, it starts making dampness instead of vitality. That dampness thickens… and voilà: phlegm.
So if your go-to breakfast is a yogurt parfait or an iced latte with oat milk and syrup? You might be starting your day with a dose of phlegm-forming perfection.
Signs you’ve got phlegm (and not just the obvious ones)
· Brain fog or poor concentration
· Fatigue or heaviness in the body
· A thick, greasy tongue coating
· Chronic sinus congestion
· Cysts, nodules, or even acne
And yes — in TCM, emotional stuckness can be phlegm too. Think of it as energetic clutter that needs clearing.
How to clear phlegm the TCM way
1. Cut back on dairy and sugar
We’re not saying never— but give your Spleen a break. These are the top culprits for internal dampness and phlegm.
2. Warm up your diet
Skip the iced drinks, raw salads, and cold smoothies. Your digestion thrives on warmth — think soups, teas, congee, and stews.
3. Strengthen the Spleen
Add foods like ginger, cinnamon, lentils, cooked greens, and small grains like millet or rice. These support digestion and help your body process fluids more efficiently.
4. Move your Qi
Phlegm settles when energy stagnates. Walk, stretch, dance, breathe — just get things moving.
5. Try supportive herbs
Classics like Ban Xia (pinellia), Chen Pi (aged tangerine peel), and Fu Ling (poria) are known to transform phlegm. But always work with a licensed TCM practitioner — this isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix.
The bottom line
Phlegm in TCM isn’t just about mucus — it’s your body waving a little flag saying “something’s out of balance.” Skip the cold dairy and sugar overload, warm things up, and show your Spleen some love.
Because when you clear the phlegm, you clear a lot more than just your throat — you make space for clarity, energy, and flow.
