Pale Face in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different pale face patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

11
TCM Patterns
68
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 11 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each pale face pattern
Classical remedies 68 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique perspective on a pale face, viewing it not as a standalone symptom but as an indicator of deeper imbalances within the body's Qi (vital energy) and Blood.

TCM emphasizes the interconnectivity of the body's systems, suggesting that a pale face results from Deficiencies or Stagnations in these vital substances. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on symptom management, TCM seeks to identify and correct the root causes of disharmony, thereby restoring the body's natural balance and health.

TCM Patterns for Pale Face

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Pale face, Pale complexion, Listlessness and shiny white complexion, Bright-pale face

12 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face, Pale complexion

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness,

Heart Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Spontaneous sweat, Generalized fatigue

Lung Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Daytime sweating, Dislike of speaking

Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face, Pale complexion

Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen,

Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Frequent colds or flu,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs,

Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs,

Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Listlessness and shiny white complexion

Along with: Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Protective Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Bright-pale face

Along with: Spontaneous sweat, Recurrent colds, Pale tongue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia,

Heart and Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face, Pale complexion

Along with: Palpitations, Insomnia, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Anxiety, Poor memory,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face, Pale complexion

Along with: Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurry vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath,

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Pale face, Bright-white complexion, Pale complexion, Bright-pale face

8 variations documented
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face, Bright-white complexion

Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills,

Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Chills, General cold feeling, Pale urine, Undigested food in stools, General weakness, Abdominal pain relieved by pressure and warmth,

Lung Yang Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue,

Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills,

Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, Loss of appetite, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Vomiting clear liquid, Absence of thirst, Weak limbs,

Heart Yang Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Bright-pale face

Along with: Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Generalized fatigue, Spontaneous sweat, Slight feeling of stuffiness in the heart, Chills,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Bright-white complexion

Along with: Lower back pain, Weak and cold knees, Back cold sensation, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Pale face, Facial edema, Oedema of limbs, Abdominal distention, Cold extremities, Shortness of breath,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Pale face, Pale complexion

6 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face, Pale complexion

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness,

Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia

Blood Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face, Pale complexion

Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory,

Pericardium Blood Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Chest pain, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Blood Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart and Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face, Pale complexion

Along with: Palpitations, Insomnia, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Anxiety, Poor memory,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Pale face, Pale complexion

3 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Coughing, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down, Wheezing,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Turbid Phlegm Blocks Orifices
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Coma, Loss of consciousness, Clenching of teeth, Shortness of breath, Pale face, Copious sputum,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Pale complexion

2 variations documented
Heart Qi Stagnation
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Depression

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Mild chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Pale face

2 variations documented
Empty-Cold
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Chills, Cold extremities, Absence of thirst, Apathy, Excessive sweating, Diarrhea,

Cold in the Uterus
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Pale face

1 variation documented
Kidney-Deficiency
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus,

Qi Sinking

Causes: Pale face

1 variation documented
Spleen Qi Sinking
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Collapse

Causes: Bright-white complexion

1 variation documented
Collapse of Yang
How it presents with pale face

Bright-white complexion

Along with: Apathy, Chills, Cold extremities, Bright pale face, Sweating on forehead, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Pale face

1 variation documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with pale face

Pale face

Along with: Coughing, Sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Discomfort when lying down, Wheezing,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dryness

Causes: Pale complexion

1 variation documented
Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with pale face

Pale complexion

Along with: Dry cough, Scanty sputum, Shortness of breath, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Pale Face

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address pale face

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency Qi Sinking Yang Deficiency

You Gui Wan

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Yin Deficiency Yang Deficiency

Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency

Er Chen Tang

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Phlegm Dampness

Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Cold Yang Deficiency

Si Wu Tang

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency

Bei Mu Gua Lou San

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Phlegm Dryness

Ban Liu Wan

Addresses these pale face patterns:

Cold Yang Deficiency