Inflammationaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Skin Inflammation & Swelling
Sub-symptom(s): Skin Inflammation Atopic Dermatitis Allergic Dermatitis Contact Dermatitis
What is Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection, a protective mechanism aimed at removing harmful stimuli and initiating the healing process. This complex biological response can manifest through various symptoms such as redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function in the affected tissues. While inflammation is a crucial part of the body's defense system, chronic inflammation can lead to numerous health issues, including skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis, signaling an imbalance that requires attention.
How does TCM view Inflammation?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives inflammation differently from Western medicine, viewing it as a manifestation of imbalance within the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, and organ systems. TCM identifies various patterns of disharmony, such as Damp-Heat, Toxic-Heat, and Blood Stagnation, as underlying causes of inflammation.
This approach emphasizes the significance of diagnosing the specific pattern contributing to the inflammation to effectively restore balance and harmony to the body. In TCM, understanding the root cause of inflammation is key to selecting the appropriate treatment strategy.
Root Causes of Inflammation in TCM
In TCM, inflammation is often attributed to the invasion of pathogenic factors like Wind, Dampness, Heat, and Cold, disrupting the natural balance of Qi and Blood. Among these, Damp-Heat and Wind-Heat are common patterns associated with inflammatory conditions. Damp-Heat can cause symptoms such as swelling, redness, and a sensation of heat in the affected area, reflecting an accumulation of Heat and Dampness in the body.
Wind-Heat, on the other hand, may manifest as rapid onset of inflammation, accompanied by fever and thirst. These patterns underscore the importance of addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying imbalances that lead to inflammation.
Explore below more details about what might cause Inflammation according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- Blood Deficiency
- Wind
Blood Deficiency
Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more
Blood Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Inflammation
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Deficiency with External Wind | Contact dermatitis, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin... see more | Dang Gui Yin Zi |
Wind
In TCM "Wind" is a concept that represents a pattern of disharmony, often characterized by its sudden and unpredictable nature, much like a gusty wind changing direction without warning. This pattern is associated with symptoms that come and go quickly or move around the body, such as itching, tremors, or even certain types of pain. Wind is considered to be a primary cause of illnesses that have these rapidly changing characteristics. In TCM, external Wind often refers to illnesses that start suddenly, like the common cold, believed to be caused by external pathogenic factors like climatic changes. On the other hand, internal Wind can be linked to internal imbalances and can manifest in conditions like dizziness or spasms. ... see more
Wind Patterns That Can Lead to Inflammation
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Deficiency with External Wind | Contact dermatitis, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin... see more | Dang Gui Yin Zi |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Inflammation
To treat inflammation, TCM recommends herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness and clear Heat and relieve Toxicity, tailored to the individual's specific pattern of disharmony. Garden Balsam Stems (Tou Gu Cao), with their Bitter, Pungent, and Cool properties, target the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver, making them effective against Blood Stagnation and Toxic Heat, as well as Damp-Wind and Damp-Heat conditions.
Another potent herb, Paris Rhizomes (Chong Lou), known for their Bitter and Cool nature, specifically addresses Toxic Heat and Internal Liver Wind, offering relief for inflammation by targeting the Liver. These herbs exemplify TCM's holistic approach, focusing on rebalancing the body's internal environment to alleviate the symptoms of inflammation.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address inflammation, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Blood Deficiency
- Wind
- External formulas for external disorders
- Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that clear wind-Heat
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
Top Formula for Blood Deficiency:
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause inflammation, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Learn more
Top Formula for Wind:
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Suitable for Wind patterns that may cause inflammation, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Learn moreFormulas that dredge and disperse External Wind
These formulas are suitable for some inflammation-causing patterns like Blood Deficiency with External Wind.
One such formula is Dang Gui Yin Zi, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dredge and disperse external wind" recommended for inflammation
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Dang Gui Yin Zi | Blood Deficiency with External Wind |
| Xiao Feng San | Not applicable |
External formulas for External disorders
Inflammation can be treated by these formulas if it is caused by external factors like wind, cold, or heat leading to symptoms on the body's surface.
One such formula is Jing Fang Bai Du San, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "external formulas for external disorders" recommended for inflammation
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Jing Fang Bai Du San | Not applicable |
| Ren Shen Bai Du San | Not applicable |
| Ku Shen Tang | Not applicable |
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Inflammation can be treated by these formulas when it results from an intense heat condition at the qi level, affecting the body's energy flow.
One such formula is Bai Hu Tang, with gypsum as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Inflammation can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Da Qing Long Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Wind-Heat
Inflammation can be treated by these formulas if it originates from a wind-heat invasion.
One such formula is Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Inflammation can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is Yin Chen Hao Tang, with virgate wormwood as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Inflammation
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address inflammation, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that drain dampness
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for inflammation, like Jing Fang Bai Du San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for inflammation
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs when it is due to the invasion or accumulation of wind and dampness, which often affects the muscles and joints.
One such herb is Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo), a key herb in some formulas recommended for inflammation, like Jing Fang Bai Du San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness" recommended for inflammation
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) | Jing Fang Bai Du San | Ren Shen Bai Du San |
| Garden Balsam Stems (Tou Gu Cao) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for inflammation, like Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for inflammation
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) | Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang |
| Paris Rhizomes (Chong Lou) | Not applicable |
Herbs that cool the Blood
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye), which is directly recommended for inflammation.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for inflammation
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye) | Not applicable |
| Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) | Not applicable |
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for inflammation, like Xiao Feng San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for inflammation
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi) | Xiao Feng San |
| Cicada Sloughs (Chan Tui) | Xiao Feng San |
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Chinese Gall (Wu Bei Zi), which is directly recommended for inflammation.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Gypsum (Shi Gao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for inflammation, like Bai Hu Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Sophora Roots (Ku Shen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for inflammation, like Ku Shen Tang.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Inflammation can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for inflammation, like Yin Chen Hao Tang.