Measlesaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Infectious Diseases, Viral Infections
Sub-symptom(s): Early Stage Measles
Did you mean? Rubella
What is Measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, primarily affecting children. Characterized by symptoms including high fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive red rash, measles can lead to serious complications, especially in young children.
The disease spreads through respiratory droplets and, despite the availability of a vaccine, remains a significant public health challenge in many parts of the world. Early stage measles is marked by initial mild symptoms that precede the rash, often making early diagnosis challenging.
How Does TCM View Measles?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets measles as a disturbance caused by external pathogenic factors that invade the body. Contrasting with Western medicine, which focuses on the viral nature of the disease, TCM examines measles through the lens of Qi (vital energy), Nlood, and bodily harmony.
It perceives measles as a result of imbalances and weaknesses in the body's defensive systems, where external factors exploit these vulnerabilities. TCM emphasizes the importance of identifying and treating the underlying pattern of disharmony unique to each individual, rather than solely addressing the overt symptoms.
Root Causes of Measles in TCM
In TCM, the etiology of measles is multifaceted. One common cause is identified as Blood Deficiency, which relates to inadequate nourishment of the body, leading to vulnerability to external pathogens. This condition manifests in various skin-related symptoms, including those seen in measles.
Another TCM cause is the invasion of External Wind, which disturbs the body's Qi and Blood balance, triggering the rash and other symptoms associated with measles. Understanding these causes is crucial in TCM, as it guides the practitioner towards a tailored treatment approach that goes beyond just alleviating symptoms.
Explore below more details about what might cause Measles 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 Measles
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Deficiency with External Wind | Measles, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Contact dermatitis, 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 Measles
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Deficiency with External Wind | Measles, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Contact dermatitis, 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 Measles
TCM treatment for measles involves a selection of herbal formulas tailored to the individual's specific pattern of disharmony. For cases identified as stemming from Blood Deficiency, the formula Dang Gui Yin Zi is often recommended.
This formula, with key herbs like Japanese catnip (Jing Jie), works by dredging and dispersing External Wind, aligning with the TCM understanding of measles as an invasion of external pathogenic factors. The chosen herbs and formulas are intended to restore balance, strengthen the body's natural defenses, and address the root causes of the symptoms exhibited in measles.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address measles, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Blood Deficiency
- Wind
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
- Formulas that release the exterior and clear the interior
- Formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices
- Formulas that clear wind-Heat
- Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind
- Formulas that clear exterior disorders with interior deficiency
- Formulas that purge heat accumulation
- External formulas for external disorders
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
Top Formula for Blood Deficiency:
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause measles, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Learn more
Top Formula for Wind:
Dang Gui Yin Zi
Suitable for Wind patterns that may cause measles, such as Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Learn moreFormulas that dredge and disperse External Wind
These formulas are suitable for some measles-causing patterns like Blood Deficiency with External Wind.
One such formula is Dang Gui Yin Zi, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Measles 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.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear qi-level heat" recommended for measles
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Bai Hu Tang | Not applicable |
| Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang | Not applicable |
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior
Measles can be treated by these formulas when it arises from external pathogenic factors affecting the body's surface, coupled with internal disharmony.
One such formula is Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, with kudzu root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that release the exterior and clear the interior" recommended for measles
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang | Not applicable |
| Shi Gao Tang | Not applicable |
Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices
Measles can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices if it is due to heat causing disturbances in sensory functions.
One such formula is Hui Chun Dan, with ox gallstone as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices" recommended for measles
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Hui Chun Dan | Not applicable |
| Zi Xue Dan | Not applicable |
Formulas that clear Wind-Heat
Measles can be treated by these formulas if it originates from a wind-heat invasion.
One such formula is Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang, with bugbane rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear wind-Heat" recommended for measles
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang | Not applicable |
| Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang | Not applicable |
Formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency
Measles can be treated by formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency if it arises from an external pathogen attacking a body with underlying weakness.
One such formula is Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Formulas that purge Heat accumulation
Measles can be treated by these formulas if it arises from an excess of internal heat, needing actions that clear heat and reduce its intensity.
One such formula is Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
External formulas for External disorders
Measles 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 Yin Qiao San, with honeysuckle flowers as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Measles can be treated by these formulas if it stems from an excess heat condition in specific organs, leading to internal disharmony.
One such formula is Xie Bai San, with mulberry bark as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Measles
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address measles, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Laxative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that expel parasites
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that open the orifices
- Herbs that pacify internal liver wind and stop tremors
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Measles 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 Bugbane Rhizomes (Sheng Ma), a key herb in some formulas recommended for measles, like Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for measles
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Bugbane Rhizomes (Sheng Ma) | Sheng Ma Ge Gen Tang |
| Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen) | Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang |
| Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi) | Not applicable |
| Wild Mint (Bo He) | Not applicable |
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Measles 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 measles, like Dang Gui Yin Zi.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for measles
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) | Dang Gui Yin Zi |
| Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) | Dang Gui Yin Zi |
| Ephedra (Ma Huang) | Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang |
| Coriander (Hu Sui) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Measles 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 Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for measles, like Yin Qiao San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for measles
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) | Yin Qiao San |
| Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) | Yin Qiao San |
| Lithospermum Roots (Zi Cao) | Not applicable |
| Pu'er Tea (Pu er Cha) | Not applicable |
Herbs that cool the Blood
Measles 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 Ox Gallstones (Niu Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for measles, like Hui Chun Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for measles
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Ox Gallstones (Niu Huang) | Hui Chun Dan |
| Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) | Zi Xue Dan |
| Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi) | Xie Bai San |
Laxative herbs that drain downward
Measles can be treated by these herbs when there's a need for a milder form of bowel movement to alleviate constipation and regulate digestion.
One such herb is Flax Seeds (Ya Ma Zi), which is directly recommended for measles.
Herbs that expel parasites
Measles can be treated by these herbs if it arises from parasitic infections, utilizing their properties to eliminate parasites from the body.
One such herb is Male Fern Rhizomes (Guan Zhong), which is directly recommended for measles.
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Measles 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 Tamarisk Twigs And Leaves (Cheng Liu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for measles, like Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Measles 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 measles, like Bai Hu Tang.
Herbs that open the Orifices
Measles can be treated by these herbs if it's a result of blockages in the body's sensory orifices, aiding in restoring clarity and consciousness.
One such herb is Musk (She Xiang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for measles, like Hui Chun Dan.
Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Measles can be treated by these herbs when caused by internal wind from Liver disharmony, often manifesting in symptoms like spasms or tremors.
One such herb is Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for measles, like Zi Xue Dan.