Hepatitis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different hepatitis patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Hepatitis is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation of the liver. This condition can result from various causes, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, alcohol abuse, and certain medications. Hepatitis can be acute, with a sudden onset, or chronic, persisting for more than six months. Symptoms of hepatitis often include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and abnormal liver function tests. Early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial to managing hepatitis and preventing severe liver damage.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hepatitis is seen through the lens of patterns of disharmony rather than as a singular disease entity. TCM practitioners believe that symptoms of hepatitis arise from underlying imbalances in the body's Qi, Blood, and other vital substances. Identifying the correct pattern of disharmony is essential for effective treatment, as it allows for a personalized approach that addresses both the symptoms and their root causes.
Herbal Formulas for Hepatitis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address hepatitis
Ba Zhen Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Tonifies and augments Qi
- Tonifies and augments Blood
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Reverses the flow of Rebellious Stomach Qi
- Relieves both Heat and Cold Stagnation in the gastrointestinal tract
Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
- Removes Stagnation
- Warms the Interior
- Dispels Cold
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Dan Shen Yin
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Jin Ling Zi San
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Moves Liver Blood and Liver Qi
- Drains Liver Heat or Fire
- Stops pain
San Ren Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Damp-Heat
- Disseminates the Qi
- Facilitates the Qi mechanisms
Wan Dai Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Middle Burner
- Removes Dampness
- Stops vaginal discharge
- Strengthens the Spleen
Wu Ling San
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Promotes urination,
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Promotes Qi transformation function
- Drains Dampness
- Clears edema
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system
- Removes Blood Stagnation
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer)
- Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions
- Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Expands the chest
- Dissipates clumps
Xiao Yao San
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness and transforms turbidity
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
Da Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
- Drains internal clumping due to Heat
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Moderately purges Heat accumulation
- Circulates Qi in the Middle
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears heat
- Resolves dampness
- Reduces jaundice
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines
- Relieves constipation
Di Dang Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder
- Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes
- Resolves Phlegm
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Yi Guan Jian
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the Lessor Yang and Greater Yang Stage
- Releases the Exterior and muscle layer
- Harmonizes the Liver, Spleen and Intestines
- Dispels Water Accumulation
Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
- Generates new Blood
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops diarrhea
Si Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Wei Ling Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Promotes urination
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Liver and Stomach
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
- Stops vomiting
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi
- Expectorant, treats hiccups
Xuan Fu Hua Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Unblocks the Yang
- Expands the chest
- Removes and transforms Stagnation
Yue Ju Wan
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Drains Fire
- Resolves Toxicity
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Drains Fire
- Resolves Toxin
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
- Cools the Blood
- Reduces swelling
Lian Po Yin
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Dampness
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Ping Wei San
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness
- Improves the Spleen's transportive function
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Ren Shen Bai Du San
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Dispels Wind and Dampness
- Augments Qi
Liang Ge San
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Drains Fire
- Unblocks the bowels by clearing the Upper Burner
- Draining the Middle Burner
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Traditional formula for hepatitis
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Clears Wind-Heat