Hepatitis in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different hepatitis patterns according to TCM theory

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9
TCM Patterns
47
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 9 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each hepatitis pattern
Classical remedies 47 herbal formulas documented

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.

TCM Patterns for Hepatitis

Qi Deficiency

Insufficient vital energy causing fatigue, weakness, poor digestion, and reduced function of organs and protective systems

Causes: Intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion, Spontaneous sweating, Aversion to cold, Thirst for warm drinks, Edema, General sensation of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary difficulty, Unremitting belching, Hiccuping, Regurgitation, Nausea or vomiting, Hard epigastric focal distention, Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurred vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath, Weak voice, Pale complexion, Poor appetite, Loose stools, Belching, Abdominal distension, Lower abdominal pain, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Feeling of fullness, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Lassitude, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Gas, Bloating, Poor digestion, Swollen complexion, Obesity, Overweight, Spontaneous daytime sweating, Aversion to speak, General weakness, Fatigue, Pale face, Palpitations, Poor memory, Insomnia, Numbness in the limbs, Numbness in the skin

8 variations documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Fatigue • Weak voice • Shortness of breath • Spontaneous sweating • Poor appetite

Qi Deficiency is a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's vital energy is insufficient to maintain normal physiological functions, leading to weakness, fatigue, and various organ dysfunctions.

Qi Deficiency Fever
How it presents with hepatitis

Intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion, Spontaneous sweating, Aversion to cold, Thirst for warm drinks

Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
How it presents with hepatitis

Edema, General sensation of heaviness, Diarrhea, Urinary difficulty

Stomach Qi Deficiency with Phelgm
How it presents with hepatitis

Unremitting belching, Hiccuping, Regurgitation, Nausea or vomiting, Hard epigastric focal distention

Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
How it presents with hepatitis

Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurred vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath, Weak voice, Pale complexion, Poor appetite, Loose stools, Belching, Abdominal distension, Lower abdominal pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Feeling of fullness

Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with hepatitis

Slight abdominal distension after eating, Lassitude, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Gas, Bloating, Poor digestion, Swollen complexion, Obesity, Overweight

Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with hepatitis

Slight abdominal distension after eating, Lassitude, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Gas, Bloating, Poor digestion, Swollen complexion, Obesity, Overweight

Lung Qi Deficiency
How it presents with hepatitis

Spontaneous daytime sweating, Aversion to speak

Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with hepatitis

General weakness, Fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Aversion to speak, Poor appetite, Numbness in the limbs, Numbness in the skin

Blood Deficiency

Insufficient blood to nourish the body, causing paleness, dizziness, and dryness throughout the system

Causes: Chest fullness, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Poor appetite, Irregular menstruation, Leukorrhea, Breast distention, Vertigo, Alternating fever and chills

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Pale face/lips/nails • Blurred vision • Dizziness • Scanty menses • Numbness

Blood Deficiency represents a fundamental lack of blood volume or quality in the body, resulting in organs, tissues, and the mind being undernourished. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, blood not only refers to the red fluid in our vessels but encompasses the body's entire nourishing and moistening functions.

Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
How it presents with hepatitis

Chest fullness, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Poor appetite, Irregular menstruation, Leukorrhea, Breast distention, Vertigo, Alternating fever and chills

Phlegm

Thick, sticky pathological fluid that obstructs body functions and can manifest anywhere in the body

Causes: Throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus, Vomiting frothy saliva, Vertigo, Shortness of breath, Coughing, Epigastric focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Dry heaves or vomiting, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Poor appetite, Feeling of oppression of the chest, Muzziness of the head, Dizziness, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Phlegm in throat, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Feeling of heaviness of the head and body, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum

5 variations documented
Onset Gradual
Location Local or systemic
Features Nodules/lumps • Heavy sensation • Mucus/expectoration • Mental confusion (if affecting mind)

Phlegm is both a pathological product and a pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It results from impaired fluid metabolism when the body's transformative functions fail, particularly affecting the Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys. Classical texts emphasize that "the Spleen is the source of phlegm production, while the Lungs are the storage vessel for phlegm."

Phlegm in the Lower Burner
How it presents with hepatitis

Throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus, Vomiting frothy saliva, Vertigo, Shortness of breath, Coughing

Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner
How it presents with hepatitis

Epigastric focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Dry heaves or vomiting, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Poor appetite

Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner
How it presents with hepatitis

Epigastric focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Dry heaves or vomiting, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Poor appetite

Phlegm
How it presents with hepatitis

Feeling of oppression of the chest, Muzziness of the head, Dizziness

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with hepatitis

Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Phlegm in throat, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Feeling of heaviness of the head and body, Dizziness, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum

Qi Stagnation

Blocked or disrupted flow of vital energy causing distending pain, emotional distress, and symptoms that worsen with stress

Causes: Nausea or vomiting, Dizziness or vertigo, Dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams, Palpitations, Anxiety, Indeterminate gnawing hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum, Coughing, Hypochondrium fullness, Dizziness, Headaches, Depression, Listlessness, Moving pain, Intermittent epigastric pain, Hernial pain, Painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks, Irritability, Feeling of distension, Moving distending pain, Mood swings, Frequent sighing, HypochondriaI distension, Chest distension, Epigastrium distension, Abdomen distension, Sighing, Melancholy, Moodiness, Irregular menstruation, Feeling of lump in the throat, Premenstrual breast distension, Premenstrual tension, Anger, Melasma

5 variations documented
Onset Gradual (can be sudden)
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Distending/moving pain • Emotional stress worsens • Sighing • Pain relieved by movement/burping

Qi Stagnation is a fundamental pathological pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the smooth flow of vital energy becomes obstructed, creating areas of pressure, pain, and dysfunction throughout the body.

Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
How it presents with hepatitis

Nausea or vomiting, Dizziness or vertigo, Dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams, Palpitations, Anxiety, Indeterminate gnawing hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum

Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with hepatitis

Coughing, Hypochondrium fullness, Dizziness, Headaches, Depression, Listlessness, Moving pain

Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat
How it presents with hepatitis

Intermittent epigastric pain, Hernial pain, Painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks, Irritability, Bitter taste in the mouth

Qi Stagnation
How it presents with hepatitis

Feeling of distension, Moving distending pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Frequent sighing

Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with hepatitis

HypochondriaI distension, Chest distension, Epigastrium distension, Abdomen distension, Sighing, Melancholy, Depression, Moodiness, Mood swings, Irregular menstruation, Feeling of lump in the throat, Premenstrual breast distension, Premenstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger, Melasma

Heat in Gall Bladder

Causes: Mild chills alternating with pronounced fever, Bitter taste in the mouth, Stifling sensation in the chest, Spitting up bitter or sour fluids, Thirst, Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria, Nausea, Epigastrium fullness

1 variation documented
Heat in Gall Bladder
How it presents with hepatitis

Mild chills alternating with pronounced fever, Bitter taste in the mouth, Stifling sensation in the chest, Spitting up bitter or sour fluids, Thirst, Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria, Nausea, Epigastrium fullness

Heat in Yang brightness Organs

Causes: Severe constipation, Flatulence, Focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure, Tense and firm abdomen

1 variation documented
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
How it presents with hepatitis

Severe constipation, Flatulence, Focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure, Tense and firm abdomen

Yang Excess

Excessive yang energy that generates heat, agitation, and hyperactivity throughout the body systems

Causes: Can cause hepatitis

1 variation documented
Onset Can be sudden
Location Systemic
Features True excess heat • Strong constitution • Full/forceful presentation • Red complexion

Yang Excess represents pathological hyperactivity of the body's yang qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It manifests as excessive heat, inflammation, and overstimulation that disrupts the normal balance between yin and yang, causing various acute and intense symptoms.

Heat in the Blood

Causes: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding episodes, Bloody sputum, Bloody stools, Bloody urine, Vomiting of blood, Cough of blood, Bloody nose, Heavy periods

1 variation documented
Heat in the Blood
How it presents with hepatitis

Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding episodes, Bloody sputum, Bloody stools, Bloody urine, Vomiting of blood, Cough of blood, Bloody nose, Heavy periods

Yin Deficiency

Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body

Causes: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Diminished hearing, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headaches, Insomnia, Numbness in the limbs, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurred vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Dry skin, Withered and brittle nails, Dry vagina, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emissions, Scanty periods, Amenorrhea, Delayed period, Infertility, Melasma

1 variation documented
Onset Gradual
Location Systemic
Features Night sweats • Dry mouth/throat • Heat in afternoon/evening • Malar flush

Yin Deficiency represents a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's yin fluids - blood, essence, and body fluids - become depleted, losing their ability to cool, moisten, and anchor the yang energy, resulting in relative hyperactivity of yang and internal heat manifestations.

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it presents with hepatitis

Dizziness, Tinnitus, Diminished hearing, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headaches, Insomnia, Numbness in the limbs, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurred vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Dry skin, Withered and brittle nails, Dry vagina, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emissions, Scanty periods, Amenorrhea, Delayed period, Infertility, Melasma

Herbal Formulas for Hepatitis

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address hepatitis

Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang

Traditional formula for hepatitis

Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang

Traditional formula for hepatitis

Chai Hu Shu Gan San

Traditional formula for hepatitis

Dan Shen Yin

Traditional formula for hepatitis

Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang

Traditional formula for hepatitis

Jin Ling Zi San

Traditional formula for hepatitis

San Ren Tang

Traditional formula for hepatitis

Wan Dai Tang

Traditional formula for hepatitis

Wu Ling San

Traditional formula for hepatitis