Dull Shallow Face in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different dull shallow face patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
"Dull shallow face" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) refers to a specific facial appearance characterized by lack of vitality, pallor, and an overall lackluster quality. It often reflects deeper internal imbalances.
This symptom encompasses a range of synonyms, including listlessness and shiny white complexion, lethargy and pale skin, and sallow complexion. Recognizing these external signs is important in TCM as they often signal underlying health issues.
In TCM, a dull shallow face is seen as a manifestation of internal disharmony. This perspective differs significantly from Western medicine, which may not always correlate facial appearance with overall health.
TCM practitioners interpret such facial signs as indicators of imbalances in Qi (energy), Blood, or specific organ systems. Diagnosing the root cause behind a dull shallow face is essential in TCM to restore balance and vitality.
TCM Patterns for Dull Shallow Face
Heat
Causes: Dull face, Sallow complexion
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Dull face
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Dull face
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Sallow complexion
Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Dull shallow face, Irritability, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac distention, Hypochondriac pain
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Listlessness and shiny white complexion, Dull face
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
Listlessness and shiny white complexion
Along with: Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Spleen Deficiency
Dull face
Along with: Sticky vaginal discharge, Generalized fatigue, Depression, Cold extremities, Diarrhea, White vaginal discharge, Loss of appetite, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Weak limbs
Phlegm
Causes: Dull face
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Dull face
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Dull face
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Mind Disturbance
Causes: Dull face
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Dull face
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Dull face
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Dull white shallow face
Blood Deficiency
Dull white shallow face
Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory, Insomnia
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Sallow complexion
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Sallow complexion
Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Dull shallow face, Irritability, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac distention, Hypochondriac pain
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Sallow complexion
Spleen Yang Deficiency
Sallow complexion
Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills, Undigested food in stools, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen, Abdominal pain relieved by pressure and warmth, Dull shallow face
Dampness
Causes: Sallow complexion
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Sallow complexion
Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Dull shallow face, Irritability, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac distention, Hypochondriac pain
Herbal Formulas for Dull Shallow Face
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dull shallow face
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Zhi Bao Dan
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Resolves toxicity
- Transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Hui Chun Dan
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Arrests spasms and convulsions
- Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Sedates the Heart
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Fire
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Ping Wei San
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness
- Improves the Spleen's transportive function
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Sallow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink...
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Sallow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Spleen Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Sticky vaginal discharge, Generalized fatigue, Depression, Cold extremities, Diarrhea, White vaginal discharge...
Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Sallow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills...
Yi Huang Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Dries Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Stops vaginal discharge
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Spleen Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Sticky vaginal discharge, Generalized fatigue, Depression, Cold extremities, Diarrhea, White vaginal discharge...
Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Sallow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills...
Fu Tu Dan
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Stabilizes the Kidney Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stops leakage
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Listlessness and shiny white complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dull white shallow face
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Zhen Wu Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys
- Eliminates Dampness
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Sallow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills...
Wan Dai Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Middle Burner
- Removes Dampness
- Stops vaginal discharge
- Strengthens the Spleen
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Spleen Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dull face
Accompanying symptoms:
Sticky vaginal discharge, Generalized fatigue, Depression, Cold extremities, Diarrhea, White vaginal discharge...
Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi
- Generates Blood
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dull white shallow face
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory...
Huang Tu Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Nourishes the Blood
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Sallow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills...
Wen Pi Tang
Addresses these dull shallow face patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Spleen Yang
- Clears Cold Evil
Addresses These Dull Shallow Face Pattern Variations
Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Sallow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills...