Swelling in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different swelling patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Swelling is the enlargement or bulging of a part of the body, typically resulting from fluid accumulation or inflammation. It can occur in response to an injury, infection, or due to underlying conditions such as arthritis or heart disease. Swelling can affect any part of the body, though it's most commonly observed in the extremities, face, and abdomen. Recognizing the cause of swelling is crucial for effective treatment, as it can range from benign and temporary to indicative of more serious health issues.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, identifying the pattern behind symptoms like swelling is crucial because it reflects the underlying imbalances within the body's Qi, Body Fluids, and organ systems. A pattern is more than a diagnosis; it's a holistic understanding of disharmony that guides personalized treatment strategies.
Recognizing the specific pattern, whether it involves Heat, Dampness, or Qi Stagnation, allows for targeted interventions that aim to restore balance and health, illustrating the depth of TCM's approach to healing.
TCM Patterns for Swelling
Heat
Causes: Swellings
Toxic-Heat
Swellings
Along with: Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Eczema, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling
Herbal Formulas for Swelling
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address swelling
Yin Qiao San
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind Heat
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Sang Ju Yin
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind
- Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Bai Hu Tang
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Qi-level Heat
- Drains Stomach Fire
- Generates fluids
- Alleviates thirst
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Qing Ying Tang
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears the Nutritive level Heat
- Relieves Fire Toxin
- Removes Heat
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system
- Removes Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains Fire
- Resolves Toxin
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Spreads Lung Qi
- Clears Heat
- Unblocks the orifices (specifically the nose)
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Dampness and transforms turbidity
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Shi Wei Bai Du San
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Wind and transforms Dampness
- Clears Toxic Heat
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
- Reduces swelling
- Induces ulceration
- Moves the Blood and dispels stasis
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Zi Dang Gao
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and cools the Blood
- Resolves toxicity
- Moistens Dryness
- Relieves pain and itching
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Er Qing Gao
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Disperses swelling
- Relieves pain
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Bing Peng San
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Dispels putrescence
- Reduces swellings and relieves pain
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Toxic-Heat
- Clears Wind-Heat
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clear Heat by releasing the Exterior
- Clears the Toxic-Heat
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Addresses these swelling patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Resolves Toxicity
- Cools the Blood
- Reduces swelling
Addresses These Swelling Pattern Variations
Toxic-Heat
How it manifests:
Swellings
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule...