Influenza in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different influenza patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a respiratory illness marked by symptoms like high fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. It's a widespread condition known for its rapid spread and seasonal peaks. Variations in severity make influenza a public health concern, with potential complications in vulnerable groups.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives influenza beyond a viral infection. In TCM, it's seen as an imbalance of the body's Qi (vital energy) due to external pathogenic factors. The diagnosis and treatment in TCM revolve around identifying and correcting this imbalance.
Commonly, influenza is attributed to external invasions like Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat, which disrupt the body's Qi harmony, leading to flu symptoms. Treatment approaches, including herbal remedies, acupuncture, and lifestyle adjustments, are tailored to the specific pattern of disharmony in each individual.
TCM Patterns for Influenza
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause influenza
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Diagnostic signs
Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formulas
Yang Excess
Recommended herbal formulas
Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation
Diagnostic signs
Floating (Fu), Tight (Jin)
Recommended herbal formulas
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Diagnostic signs
Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Swollen tongue with sticky white coating
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Influenza
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address influenza