Pus And Dischargeaccording to TCM
Symptom family: General Ulcers and Associated Symptoms
What is Pus and Discharge?
Pus and discharge are common symptoms associated with infections, signaling the body's response to bacterial invasion. Pus, a thick, yellowish or greenish fluid, is primarily composed of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris. Discharge can vary in color and consistency, indicating different types of infections. These symptoms can manifest in various parts of the body, including wounds, the ears, eyes, and reproductive organs, often accompanied by other signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, and pain. Understanding these signs is crucial for diagnosing and treating underlying conditions effectively.
How does TCM view Pus and Discharge?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets pus and discharge through the lens of energy imbalances and the invasion of pathogenic factors. Unlike Western medicine, which directly links these symptoms to microbial infections, TCM considers them manifestations of deeper disharmonies within the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, Organ systems and etc.
Identifying the specific pattern of imbalance—be it Heat, Dampness, or Toxicity—is essential in TCM for targeting treatment. This holistic approach seeks not only to alleviate symptoms but also to restore the body's innate balance and healing capacity.
Root Causes of Pus And Discharge in TCM
In the framework of TCM, pus and discharge often result from the body's battle against invading pathogenic factors, with Heat and Toxicity being primary culprits. Toxic-Heat, for instance, can lead to severe infections characterized by pus, fever, and swelling, pointing to an accumulation of toxic substances and excessive Heat in the body.
This condition might manifest externally as boils or carbuncles, or internally as a sore throat or red skin eruptions. The TCM perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of symptoms and underlying disharmonies, guiding practitioners to tailor treatments that address both the symptoms and their root causes.
Explore below more details about what might cause Pus and discharge according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- Heat
Heat
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Pus And Discharge
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Toxic-Heat | Pus, Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Eczema, Perineum swollen, Prostate swollen, Testicular swelling, Mouth ulcers, Tonsil swelling... see more | Yin Qiao San | Sang Ju Yin | Bai Hu Tang | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Qing Ying Tang | Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan | Shi Wei Bai Du San | San Zhong Kui Jian Tang | Zi Dang Gao | Er Qing Gao | Bing Peng San | Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Pus And Discharge
To combat the patterns associated with pus and discharge, TCM employs a variety of herbal formulas designed to clear Heat, eliminate Toxicity, and restore balance. Yin Qiao San, enriched with Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua), is frequently recommended for its potent Heat-clearing and toxicity-relieving properties, making it suitable for treating the early stages of infections with signs of Toxic-Heat.
Another formula, Sang Ju Yin, leverages the cooling and Wind-Heat clearing effects of Mulberry leaves (Sang Ye), offering relief for symptoms like fever and red skin eruptions. These herbal treatments exemplify TCM's nuanced approach to healing, addressing both the external symptoms and the internal imbalances that give rise to them.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address pus and discharge, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Heat
- External formulas for external disorders
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
- Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
- Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
- Formulas that clear wind-Heat
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
Top Formula for Heat:
Yin Qiao San
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause pus and discharge, such as Toxic-Heat
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Pus And Discharge Caused by Heat
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Yin Qiao San | Toxic-Heat |
| Sang Ju Yin | Toxic-Heat |
| Bai Hu Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Qing Ying Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin | Toxic-Heat |
| Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan | Toxic-Heat |
| Shi Wei Bai Du San | Toxic-Heat |
| San Zhong Kui Jian Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Zi Dang Gao | Toxic-Heat |
| Er Qing Gao | Toxic-Heat |
| Bing Peng San | Toxic-Heat |
| Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin | Toxic-Heat |
External formulas for External disorders
These formulas are suitable for some pus and discharge-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat.
One such formula is Yin Qiao San, with honeysuckle flowers as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "external formulas for external disorders" recommended for pus and discharge
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Yin Qiao San | Toxic-Heat |
| Zi Dang Gao | Toxic-Heat |
| Er Qing Gao | Toxic-Heat |
| Bing Peng San | Toxic-Heat |
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
These formulas are suitable for some pus and discharge-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat.
One such formula is Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, with chinese gentian as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat from the organs" recommended for pus and discharge
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin | Toxic-Heat |
Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat
These formulas are suitable for some pus and discharge-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat.
One such formula is Qing Ying Tang, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat" recommended for pus and discharge
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Qing Ying Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Toxic-Heat |
Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
These formulas are suitable for some pus and discharge-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat.
One such formula is Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity" recommended for pus and discharge
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Toxic-Heat |
| Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin | Toxic-Heat |
Formulas that clear external abscesses and sores
These formulas are suitable for some pus and discharge-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat.
One such formula is Shi Wei Bai Du San, with saposhnikovia root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear external abscesses and sores" recommended for pus and discharge
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Shi Wei Bai Du San | Toxic-Heat |
| San Zhong Kui Jian Tang | Toxic-Heat |
Formulas that clear Wind-Heat
These formulas are suitable for some pus and discharge-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat.
One such formula is Sang Ju Yin, with mulberry leaves as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
These formulas are suitable for some pus and discharge-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat.
One such formula is Bai Hu Tang, with gypsum as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
These formulas are suitable for some pus and discharge-causing patterns like Toxic-Heat.
One such formula is Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, with baikal skullcap root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Pus And Discharge
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address pus and discharge, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Herbs that open the orifices
- Herbs for external application
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Pus and discharge 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 pus and discharge, like Yin Qiao San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for pus and discharge
| 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) | Zi Dang Gao |
| Natural Indigo (Qing Dai) | Er Qing Gao |
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Pus and discharge 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 Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pus and discharge, like Huang Lian Jie Du Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for pus and discharge
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Pus and discharge 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 Biond’S Magnolia Flowers (Xin Yi Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pus and discharge, like Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for pus and discharge
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Biond’S Magnolia Flowers (Xin Yi Hua) | Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin |
| Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) | Shi Wei Bai Du San |
| Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) | Shi Wei Bai Du San |
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Pus and discharge 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 Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pus and discharge, like Sang Ju Yin.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for pus and discharge
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye) | Sang Ju Yin |
| Chrysanthemum Flowers (Ju Hua) | Sang Ju Yin |
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Pus and discharge 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 pus and discharge, like Bai Hu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat" recommended for pus and discharge
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Gypsum (Shi Gao) | Bai Hu Tang |
| Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu) | San Zhong Kui Jian Tang |
Herbs that cool the Blood
Pus and discharge 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 Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pus and discharge, like Qing Ying Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for pus and discharge
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) | Qing Ying Tang | Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang |
| Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye) | Er Qing Gao |
Herbs that drain Dampness
Pus and discharge 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 Talc (Hua Shi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pus and discharge, like Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for pus and discharge
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Talc (Hua Shi) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan |
| Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan |
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Pus and discharge can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is Dong Quai (Dang Gui), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pus and discharge, like Zi Dang Gao.
Herbs that open the Orifices
Pus and discharge 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 Borneol (Bing Pian), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pus and discharge, like Bing Peng San.
Herbs for external application
Pus and discharge can be treated by these herbs when the condition is external or superficial, requiring topical treatment to alleviate symptoms or heal the affected area.
One such herb is Borax (Peng Sha), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pus and discharge, like Bing Peng San.