Melasma in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different melasma patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Melasma is a common skin condition characterized by dark, discolored patches on the skin, most often appearing on the face. It typically manifests as symmetrical brown or grayish-brown patches on the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose, chin, or upper lip. Melasma is often associated with sun exposure, hormonal changes such as those occurring during pregnancy or with oral contraceptive use, and is more prevalent in women and people with darker skin tones. Although melasma is harmless, it can cause significant cosmetic concern and distress.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), melasma is not seen as merely a skin condition but rather a manifestation of underlying internal imbalances. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on external factors like UV exposure or hormonal changes, TCM attributes melasma to various patterns of disharmony within the body, such as Qi And Blood Stagnation or Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency.
Identifying and treating the correct underlying pattern is crucial in TCM, as each pattern requires a different therapeutic approach. This holistic perspective emphasizes the importance of addressing the root cause to achieve long-lasting results.
TCM Patterns for Melasma
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Melasma
Liver Qi Stagnation
Melasma
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Irregular periods, Globus sensation, Pre menstrual breast distension, Pre menstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Melasma
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Melasma
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Melasma
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Melasma
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility
Blood Stasis
Causes: Melasma
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Melasma
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Melasma
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Melasma
Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen, Dyspepsia, Swollen complexion, Obesity
Heat
Causes: Melasma
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Melasma
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation
Herbal Formulas for Melasma
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address melasma
Yi Guan Jian
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Unblocks the channels
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks painful obstruction
- Relieves pain
- Invigorate Qi
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Unblock Channels
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shi Xiao San
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Eases pain
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Qi Li San
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Invigorates Qi
- Reduces swelling and pain
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Dan Shen Yin
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Guo Qi Yin
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the menses
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Si Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen...
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
- Tonifies Spleen
- Clears Deficient Heat
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Yue Ju Wan
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Fei Er Wan
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Kills parasites
- Reduces accumulation
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen...
Qing Gu San
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat from Deficiency
- Alleviates steaming bone disorder
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops diarrhea
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen...
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Addresses these melasma patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Nourishes the Yin
- Anchors the Yang
Addresses These Melasma Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Melasma
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...