Chronic Cough with White Phlegm & a Feeling of Cold?

What is "Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs"?

This pattern is a progression. It usually starts with a weakness in your digestive system (Spleen), which fails to process fluids correctly, creating Dampness. This Dampness congeals into Phlegm. When this Phlegm combines with internal Cold (often from a weak "pilot light" or Yang energy in the body), it becomes Cold-Phlegm.

Think of it this way: Damp-Phlegm is like a glass of room-temperature, frothy sludge. Cold-Phlegm is when you put that glass of sludge in the freezer. It becomes more solid, more obstructing, and much harder to move.

This is a chronic condition, not an acute cold. Because the Phlegm is "congealed" by Cold, it is more difficult to dislodge.

You will likely experience the symptoms of Damp-Phlegm, but with added signs of Cold:

  • The Cough: A chronic cough that comes in bouts.
  • The Phlegm: This is the key sign. The phlegm is white, watery, and often frothy or bubbly. It is profuse.
  • Cold Signs:
    • A feeling of cold in your chest and back.
    • Your hands and feet may be cold.
    • The symptoms are often worse in the morning and in cold weather.
  • Breathing: A feeling of oppression in the chest and shortness of breath, especially when you are lying down.

This pattern clearly shows no signs of heat—there is no fever, no thirst, and the phlegm is never yellow or green.

Your acupressure treatment was designed to warm the Lungs, transform the phlegm, and strengthen your body's core energy to expel the Cold.

Lifestyle Advice: Warm, Dry, and Disperse

Your entire focus must be on warming your body from the inside out and avoiding anything that creates more cold or phlegm.

1. Your Diet MUST Be Warming:

  • Strictly AVOID all Phlegm- and Cold-Producing Foods: This is non-negotiable.
    • Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and especially ice cream.
    • Sugar & Sweets.
    • All Cold & Raw Foods: No salads, no raw fruit, no smoothies, no iced drinks. These are like adding more ice to the freezer.
  • Eat Foods that Warm the Lungs & Resolve Phlegm:
    • Your diet must be based on warm, cooked meals. Soups, stews, and broths are ideal.
    • Warming Spices: These are your best friends. Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and fennel are excellent for warming the core and dispersing cold.
    • Pungent Vegetables: Onions, garlic, leeks, and radishes help to break up phlegm.
    • Drink warming teas like ginger or chai (without the milk and sugar).

2. Protect Yourself from Cold:

  • Wear a Scarf: This is essential. Keep your neck, chest, and upper back warm to prevent external cold from worsening the internal condition.
  • Dress in Layers: Keep your core body temperature warm at all times.
  • Use a Hot Water Bottle: Placing a hot water bottle on your chest can be very comforting and can help to loosen the congealed phlegm.

3. Gentle, Warming Movement:

  • Gentle walking, especially on a sunny day, can help to circulate your Qi and Yang energy.
  • Avoid exercising in cold, damp weather.

4. Acupressure at Home:
This combination warms, transforms phlegm, and strengthens the Lungs.

  • Lung 7 (Lieque - "Broken Sequence"): A key point for stimulating the Lungs' function of descending and dispersing, which helps to clear phlegm.
    • Location: With your palms facing each other, interlock your thumb and index finger. The point is in the small depression on your forearm directly under the tip of your top index finger.
  • Stomach 40 (Fenglong - "Abundant Bulge"): The single most important point for resolving Phlegm anywhere in the body.
    • Location: On the outside of your lower leg, about halfway between your knee and your ankle, and two finger-widths out from the crest of your shin bone.
  • Conception Vessel 17 (Shanzhong): A wonderful point for the chest.
    • Location: On the centre of your breastbone, level with the fourth rib space (often level with the nipples on a man).
    • How to: Gently rub this area in a circular motion to help open the chest and dislodge phlegm.

Resolving Cold-Phlegm is a process of consistently making warm choices. By adding warmth and avoiding cold, you can "melt" the phlegm and help your body clear the congestion for good.