Dull Yellow Complexion in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different dull yellow complexion patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
A dull yellow complexion, in medical terms, refers to a skin appearance that lacks luster and exhibits a yellowish hue. This symptom can be indicative of various underlying conditions, ranging from mild dietary deficiencies to more serious health issues such as liver dysfunction. The coloration is less about the natural undertone of the skin and more about an abnormal pallor that suggests imbalance or illness.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets a dull yellow complexion as a sign of underlying disharmony within the body's internal systems. Unlike Western medicine, which might attribute such a complexion to liver or gallbladder issues alone, TCM considers a spectrum of possibilities including Dampness, Heat, and Qi issues.
This perspective underscores the importance of identifying the specific pattern of imbalance to tailor an effective treatment strategy, recognizing that the skin reflects the state of internal health.
TCM Patterns for Dull Yellow Complexion
Dampness
Causes: Dull-yellow complexion, Yellow complexion, Lusterless and yellow complexion
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Dull-yellow complexion
Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Sticky taste in the mouth
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
Dull-yellow complexion
Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning, Feeling of heat, Scanty and dark urine, Low grade fever, Dull headache, Yellow sclera, Oily sweat, Itchy rashes, Bitter taste in the mouth, Upper abdominal fullness, Upper abdominal pain
Dampness in the Gallbladder
Dull-yellow complexion
Along with: Jaundice, Yellow eyes, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Yellow sclera, Cloudy urine, Absence of thirst, Sticky taste in the mouth, Dull headache, Feeling of heaviness
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
Yellow complexion
Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine, Fever, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Irritability, Feeling of heaviness, Limb numbness, Foot edema, Alternating diarrhea and constipation, Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Yellow sclera
Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
Lusterless and yellow complexion
Along with: Heat and pain in the joints, Difficulty in moving, Fever, Chills, Scanty and dark urine, Dull yellow complexion, Rheumatic fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty inflammation, Connective tissue disorders
Heat
Causes: Dull-yellow complexion, Yellow complexion, Lusterless and yellow complexion
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Dull-yellow complexion
Along with: Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea, Feeling of heat, Sticky taste in the mouth
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
Dull-yellow complexion
Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning, Feeling of heat, Scanty and dark urine, Low grade fever, Dull headache, Yellow sclera, Oily sweat, Itchy rashes, Bitter taste in the mouth, Upper abdominal fullness, Upper abdominal pain
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
Yellow complexion
Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine, Fever, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Irritability, Feeling of heaviness, Limb numbness, Foot edema, Alternating diarrhea and constipation, Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Yellow sclera
Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
Lusterless and yellow complexion
Along with: Heat and pain in the joints, Difficulty in moving, Fever, Chills, Scanty and dark urine, Dull yellow complexion, Rheumatic fever, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty inflammation, Connective tissue disorders
Herbal Formulas for Dull Yellow Complexion
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dull yellow complexion
Lian Po Yin
Addresses these dull yellow complexion patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Dampness
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Addresses These Dull Yellow Complexion Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it manifests:
Dull-yellow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge...
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it manifests:
Dull-yellow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning...
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Addresses these dull yellow complexion patterns:
Main Actions
- Separates and reduces alcohol-dampness
- Warms the Middle
- Strengthens the Spleen
Addresses These Dull Yellow Complexion Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
How it manifests:
Dull-yellow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge...
Xuan Bi Tang
Addresses these dull yellow complexion patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears and resolves Damp-Heat
- Unblocks the meridians
- Disbands painful obstruction
Addresses These Dull Yellow Complexion Pattern Variations
Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
How it manifests:
Lusterless and yellow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat and pain in the joints, Difficulty in moving, Fever, Chills, Scanty and dark urine, Dull yellow complexion...
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Addresses these dull yellow complexion patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears heat
- Resolves dampness
- Reduces jaundice
Addresses These Dull Yellow Complexion Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
How it manifests:
Yellow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine...
San Ren Tang
Addresses these dull yellow complexion patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Damp-Heat
- Disseminates the Qi
- Facilitates the Qi mechanisms
Addresses These Dull Yellow Complexion Pattern Variations
Dampness in the Gallbladder
How it manifests:
Dull-yellow complexion
Accompanying symptoms:
Jaundice, Yellow eyes, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Nausea or vomiting, Fat malabsorption...