Purple Nails in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different purple nails patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

2
TCM Patterns
22
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 2 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each purple nails pattern
Classical remedies 22 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives purple nails not just as a cosmetic issue but as a symptom indicating deeper imbalances within the body. TCM emphasizes the interconnectedness of external symptoms with internal health, suggesting that purple nails may arise from disharmonies or disruptions in the body's natural flow of Qi (energy) and blood.

In TCM, it is crucial to identify the specific pattern of disharmony causing the symptom, as each pattern requires a unique approach to treatment. This perspective differs significantly from Western medicine, which often focuses on the symptom rather than the underlying systemic imbalance.

TCM Patterns for Purple Nails

Blood Stasis

Causes: Purple nails

6 variations documented
Blood Stagnation
How it presents with purple nails

Purple nails

Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots,

Heart Blood Stagnation
How it presents with purple nails

Purple nails

Along with: Stabbing chest pain, Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it presents with purple nails

Purple nails

Along with: Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain,

Liver Blood Stagnation
How it presents with purple nails

Purple nails

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods,

Pericardium Blood Stagnation
How it presents with purple nails

Purple nails

Along with: Palpitations, Chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Purple lips,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with purple nails

Purple nails

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Irritability,

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Purple nails

1 variation documented
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with purple nails

Purple nails

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Irritability,

Herbal Formulas for Purple Nails

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address purple nails

Dan Shen Yin

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Chai Hu Shu Gan San

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Shi Xiao San

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Qi Li San

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation

Guo Qi Yin

Addresses these purple nails patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation