Inflammation of the tonsils, or tonsillitis, caused by bacterial or viral infection, can be acute or chronic. The uncomplicated acute form usually lasts 4 to 6 days and commonly affects children between ages 5 and 10. The presence of proven chronic tonsillitis justifies tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils), the only effective treatment. Tonsils tend to hypertrophy (become bigger) during childhood and atrophy (become smaller) after puberty.

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the reason for this disease is the zang and fu yin materiel going lower than the yang energy and becoming virtual heat. This environment is very hard on the throat area and increases the chances for an infection. TCM is very effective in controling the infection, but early treatment is most effective in absorbing infections, reducing the swelling and relieving pain in 60-80% of the cases. At a later phase of the disease, where general inflammation occurs, tonsillectomy should be considered as the best treatment.

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Syndrome (a)
Lung meridian affect wind heat

Due to the Lung meridian organ energy defected, the Yang energy converts into a heat syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that there may be pain and swelling in the throat. Swallowing is painful, while there is a general feeling of heat in the body and headache. The tongue would be red with some yellow muskeg, while the pulse is quick.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Dredging the Lung meridian and removing evil heat stasis to alleviate the pain and swelling.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for dissipating Qi and blood stasis channel up to eyes. Schizonepeta and Ledebouriella root at each 10g; Arctium Fruit, Platycodon Root, Lonicera Flower, Forsythia, Morus Bark, Fritillary bulb of Zhe-Jiang at each 12g; Scutellaria and Trichosanthes Root at each 15g; Liquorice crude at 6g.

Simple Prescription: Niu-Huang Shang-Qing Wan once at a time and twice a day.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion can help regulate the circulation of qi, discharge heat, resolve blood stasis and relieve swelling by using points mainly from Lung meridian point of Hand Tai-Yin and the Large Intestines meridian of Hand Yang-Ming points.

Prescription/Formula: Shao-Shan (Lu11), Chi-Ze (Lu5), He-Gu (LI4), Qi-Chi (LI11). Acupuncture 10-20 minutes or with Moxibustion at each point 3-7 minutes.

  

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Syndrome (b)
Lung and Stomach accumulate of heat

When the lung and the stomach accumulate heat, there may be symptoms of headache, fever, and a dry mouth with bad breath. The tongue is usually red with a yellow, greasy fur, while the pulse is quick.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Herbal medicine can help clean the heat and toxins from the body in order to reduce the swelling and the pain in the throat area.

Prescription/Formula: Modified decoction for removing blood stagnation in the head area. Lonicera Flower, Scutellaria, Forsythia, Gardenia, Scrophularia, at each 15g; Arctium Fruit, Platycodon Root at each 12g; 10g

Simple Prescription: Liu Shen Wan one time 10 granule, 20 granule a day.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: Acupuncture or moxibustion can regulate the circulation of qi, discharge heat, resolve blood stasis and relieve pharyngeal syndrome by using points mainly from Hand Yang-Min Large Intestines meridian point and the Foot Yang-Ming Stomach meridian points and Extra points.

Prescription/Formula: Shang-Yang (LI1), Nei-Ting (St44), Feng-Long (St40) and Shi-Xuan (Extra30) 15-30 minutes Acupuncture and 2-5 minutes Moxibustion.

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies
1. Qigong: Qigong is useful in the beginning phase, do the self setting exercise for 10 minutes, relax and lead the Qi down to the foot then turn the tongue inside the mouth towards left 9 and then towards right 9 times, then drink the self spit, twice a day.

For effect of Qigong on the Nervous System, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help:

• Static Qigong:
  Inner-Nourishing Qigong
  Six-Character Formula
  Standing Qigong
  
• Dynamic Qigong:
  Fifteen Sets of Taiji-Qigong
  Taiji
  

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

2. Tuina massage: using the throat shoulder area point to arm and hand points, twice a day.
3. Ear Acupuncture: blooding puncture for pharyngeal area of Ear points.
4. Pick Acupuncture: Backside of Ear artery or top of the 1/2/3 points and to pick it out let the blooding 3-5 drops.
5. Point injection: at Pi-Shu (UB20) and Qu-Chi (LI11) using 0.5-1.0ml Bupleurum or Houttuynia liquor.
6. Blow medication: out side blowing little Shuang-Liao-Hou-Feng San once an hour, 5-10 times a day.
7. Keep in mouth method: using Lonicera Flower 10g, Liquorice 6g and Platycodon Root 10g cooked make liquor keep in mouth 5-10 times a day.

(b) Medicated diet
1. Alum mixed with Olive: Olive 12 entries and Alum 1.5g, use knife cut the Olive side rift put in Alum then eat, 2 hours 2 entries.
2. Olive stews Radish: Olive 250g with Radish 500-1000g cooked 1-2 hours makes the liquor as tea drink 5-9 times a day.

(c) Life style
1. Diet: Avoid spicy foods and stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
2. Note in Life: Eat soft foods and keep fresh air in the room.
3. Life habit: Try to keep good hygiene, especially in the mouth, and stay away from public areas.

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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visit