Purple Lips in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different purple lips patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Purple lips, also known as bluish lips, refer to a discoloration of the lips that appears blue or purple. This condition is often a sign of inadequate oxygen supply in the blood, a situation medically termed as cyanosis. It can indicate serious underlying health issues such as respiratory or cardiovascular problems, and in some cases, severe cold exposure or high altitudes. Recognizing and addressing the root cause of purple lips is crucial for effective treatment.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), purple lips are seen as a manifestation of deeper internal imbalances. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on immediate causes such as lack of oxygen, TCM views symptoms like purple lips through the lens of various patterns of disharmony within the body's systems. Identifying the precise pattern is essential in TCM, as it guides the specific treatment approach needed to restore balance and health.
TCM Patterns for Purple Lips
Blood Stasis
Causes: Purple lips
Blood Stagnation
Purple lips
Along with: Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Lumps
Heart Blood Stagnation
Purple lips
Along with: Stabbing chest pain, Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest
Heart Vessel obstructed
Purple lips
Along with: Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain, Chest pain, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness, Dislike of speaking, Cold extremities, Sighing, Purple nails, Purple face
Liver Blood Stagnation
Purple lips
Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods, Dark menstrual clots, Infertility, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Purple face, Skin dryness, Petechiae
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
Purple lips
Along with: Palpitations, Chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Purple lips
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, 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, Melasma
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Purple lips
Heart Qi Stagnation
Purple lips
Along with: Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Depression
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
Purple lips
Along with: Mild chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations, Depression, Irritability, Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Cold extremities
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Purple lips
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, 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, Melasma
Herbal Formulas for Purple Lips
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address purple lips
Dan Shen Yin
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Unblocks the channels
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Stabbing chest pain, Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Purple nails...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Shi Xiao San
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Eases pain
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks painful obstruction
- Relieves pain
- Invigorate Qi
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Unblock Channels
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Qi Li San
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Invigorates Qi
- Reduces swelling and pain
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Guo Qi Yin
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the menses
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple nails, Irritability...
Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Heat and
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates the flow of Qi,
- Clears Phlegm
- Treats esophageal spasm
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Dissipates clumps
- Relieves Stagnation
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Heart Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Depression
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Mild chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations...
Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Stagnant Heat in the intestines
- Reduces swelling and disperses lumps
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Transforms Blood Stasis
- Softens lumps
- Reduces fixed abdominal pain
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Di Dang Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
- Generates new Blood
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
- Reduces swelling
- Induces ulceration
- Moves the Blood and dispels stasis
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Hai Tong Pi Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Disperses swelling
- Dispels Wind, Dampness and Cold
- Removes Stagnation and relieves pain
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Warms and harmonizes the channels
- Unblocks painful obstruction
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Yu Lin Zhu
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Consolidates the Penetrating and Directing Vessel (Chong Mai, Ren Mai)
- Facilitating pregnancy
- Promotes Blood circulation and regulates menstruation
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots...
Di Tan Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Removes Phlegm
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Channels
- Disperses Cold
- Nourishes the Blood
- Unblocks the Blood vessels
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these purple lips patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Purple Lips Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Purple lips
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...