sputum, phlegm
痰 centers on thick respiratory mucus: sputum or phlegm coughed up from the lungs or throat.
痰 combines 疒 (sickness) with 炎, which likely contributes the sound タン. The character expresses a sickness involving phlegm or mucus.
The sickness enclosure 疒 wraps around 炎 (flame/inflammation). Picture a chest inflamed with sickness, producing thick phlegm that needs to be coughed out.
For タン, imagine a tan-colored blob of phlegm being coughed up: tan -> タン, matching the color of the sputum.
—
phlegm; sputum
expectoration
expectorant
expectoration; sputum
examination of someone's sputum
sputum test
to break mucus (from one's throat); to clear one's throat
Rhynchosia volubilis (species of snoutbean)
sputum; phlegm
spittoon; cuspidor
bloody phlegm