Urticaria in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different urticaria patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a skin condition characterized by red, itchy, raised welts that appear on the surface of the skin. These welts can vary in size and shape and can occur anywhere on the body. Urticaria can be triggered by various factors, including allergic reactions, stress, infections, or even exposure to cold or heat. Chronic urticaria, a form where symptoms persist for more than six weeks, poses a significant challenge to patients' quality of life, often requiring a deeper investigation into underlying causes.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views urticaria as a result of external pathogenic factors invading the body, leading to an imbalance between the body's defensive energy (Wei Qi) and the pathogenic factor. TCM categorizes urticaria based on underlying patterns of disharmony, such as Wind-Heat, or Blood Deficiency, each presenting with distinct symptoms.
Identifying the correct pattern is crucial in TCM, as it guides the treatment strategy to not only alleviate the symptoms but also address the root cause of the imbalance, aiming for long-term relief and balance restoration.
TCM Patterns for Urticaria
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause urticaria
Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Diagnostic signs
Fine (Xi), Wiry (Xian)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Fine (Xi), Wiry (Xian)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
Diagnostic signs
Choppy (Se), Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formulas
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Diagnostic signs
Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Recommended herbal formulas
Oedema
Diagnostic signs
Hidden (Fu), Slowed-down (Huan)
Pale tongue with white sticky coating or white slippery coating
Recommended herbal formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Diagnostic signs
Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Pale tongue
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Urticaria
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address urticaria