Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition

In traditional Chinese medicine, Biyuan refers to a disease characterized by symptoms such as purulent nasal discharge and diminished sense of smell, which falls under the category of otolaryngology. According to the "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," Biyuan is often attributed to wind-heat in the lung meridian, heat stagnation in the gallbladder, or damp-heat in the spleen and stomach. The pathogenesis primarily involves the invasion of pathogenic factors into the nasal cavity, leading to obstruction of the orifices and the formation of purulent discharge.

In TCM clinical practice, Biyuan is a common otolaryngology disease. The core pathogenesis is invasion of pathogenic factors into the nasal cavity, leading to obstruction of the orifices. Common triggers include exogenous wind-heat, irregular diet, and emotional fluctuations. During syndrome differentiation, attention should be paid to the following key points:

1. Wind-heat in the lung meridian syndrome: Mainly manifested as nasal congestion with purulent discharge, diminished sense of smell, headache and fever. Regulation should focus on dispersing wind and clearing heat, using aromatic substances to unblock the orifices.
2. Heat stagnation in the gallbladder syndrome: Characterized by thick purulent nasal discharge, copious and yellow, bitter taste and dry throat. Treatment should focus on clearing and draining gallbladder heat, draining dampness and unblocking the orifices.
3. Damp-heat in the spleen and stomach syndrome: Manifested as persistent and severe nasal congestion, yellow turbid and copious nasal discharge, dizziness and heaviness of the head. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and draining dampness, transforming turbidity and unblocking the orifices.

Overall direction of regulation: TCM clinical practice holds that treatment should mainly follow the principles of dispersing wind and clearing heat, clearing and draining gallbladder heat, and clearing heat and draining dampness. By harmonizing organ function, the goal of unblocking the orifices and expelling toxins can be achieved. During treatment, the principle of syndrome differentiation should be flexibly applied according to the specific symptoms to obtain the best therapeutic effect.

Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation

Lung Meridian Wind-Heat Syndrome

Main Manifestations: Nasal congestion with thick, yellowish snot, decreased sense of smell, headache, and fever

Management Approach: Relieve Wind-Heat, Aromatically Unblock the Orifices

Gallbladder and Spleen Damp-Heat Syndrome

Main Manifestations: Mucous discharge is thick and cloudy, with a large amount and yellowish color, bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat

Management Approach: Clear Heat from the Gallbladder, Drain Dampness and Unblock the Orifices

Spleen and stomach damp-heat syndrome

Main Manifestations: Severe and persistent nasal congestion, yellow and thick mucus, dizziness and heavy head

Management Approach: Clear Heat and Drain Dampness, Transform Dampness and Unblock the Orifices

The above syndrome information is based on traditional Chinese medicine textbooks and clinical standards. Specific differentiation should be completed by a practicing traditional Chinese medicine physician in person.

Physician's Clinical Insights

Patients with Biyuan mostly suffer from damp-heat in the lung meridian. Clearing heat and resolving toxicity, diffusing the lung and unblocking the orifices are the key points of treatment.

— Wang Zhengxiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Reviewed by: Wang Zhengxiang (Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner) | 2026-07-07 | Version 2

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