Henoch-Schonlein Purpuraaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Vascular and Blood Disorders
Did you mean? Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
What is Henoch-Schönlein Purpura?
Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), also known as IgA vasculitis, is a form of vasculitis involving the deposition of IgA immune complexes in the small blood vessels. This condition primarily affects children and is characterized by a quartet of symptoms: palpable purpura (small blood vessel bleeding into the skin), joint pain, gastrointestinal involvement, and kidney affection. The exact cause is unknown, but it often follows an upper respiratory infection, suggesting an immune response to an antigen.
How does TCM view Henoch-Schönlein Purpura?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches Henoch-Schönlein purpura not as a specific disease but as a manifestation of underlying imbalances and disturbances in the body’s vital energies. TCM emphasizes the importance of diagnosing and treating the specific patterns of disharmony that lead to the symptoms observed in HSP. Each case is considered unique, and understanding these patterns is crucial for effective treatment, focusing on restoring balance and enhancing the body's ability to heal itself.
Causes of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura according to TCM
From a TCM perspective, Henoch-Schönlein purpura is linked to many factors such as the invasion of Wind, the accumulation of Dampness, and the presence of Toxic-Heat in the body. These elements can disrupt the harmony of the Qi and Blood, leading to the characteristic purpura. For example, the presence of Wind and Dampness can obstruct the flow of Qi and Blood, leading to Stagnation and Heat, which may manifest as skin rashes and joint pain. Understanding these causative factors is essential in TCM to tailor the treatment to the individual’s specific disharmony and restore balance.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
In addressing Henoch-Schönlein purpura, TCM utilizes a range of formulas to target the underlying patterns identified. For patterns involving Damp-Heat and Toxic-Heat, a formula like Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, which includes Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin), can be particularly effective in clearing Heat and expelling Dampness.
Additionally, for conditions of Qi and Blood Deficiency that may contribute to vulnerability to HSP, Gui Pi Tang, enriched with Ginseng (Ren Shen), helps to tonify Qi and nourish Blood. These herbal strategies are carefully chosen based on a thorough TCM diagnosis to ensure they meet the specific needs of the patient’s condition and constitution.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address henoch-Schonlein purpura, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that tonify qi and blood
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that tonify blood
- Formulas that regulate blood
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
- Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Henoch-Schonlein purpura 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 Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, with baikal skullcap root as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these formulas when there is a combined deficiency of both Qi and Blood, requiring comprehensive tonification.
One such formula is Gui Pi Tang, with ginseng as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Gui Zhi Tang, with cinnamon twigs as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Blood
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these formulas when it is due to blood deficiency, requiring blood-nourishing and enriching actions.
One such formula is Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang, with white peony root as a key herb.
Formulas that regulate Blood
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these formulas when it stems from irregularities or imbalances in the blood, which may affect circulation or cause other blood-related issues.
One such formula is Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these formulas if it arises from heat trapped at the nutritive level of the body, affecting deeper tissues.
One such formula is Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.
Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these formulas when it results from external wind invasion disrupting the body's surface and normal function, requiring wind-dispersing actions.
One such formula is Xiao Feng San, with japanese catnip as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address henoch-Schonlein purpura, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that cool the blood
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Ginseng (Ren Shen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Gui Pi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Ginseng (Ren Shen) | Gui Pi Tang |
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Gui Pi Tang |
| Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) | Gui Pi Tang |
| Liquorice (Gan Cao) | Gui Pi Tang |
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Henoch-Schonlein purpura 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 Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Gui Zhi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) | Gui Zhi Tang |
| Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) | Xiao Feng San |
| Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) | Xiao Feng San |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang | Tao He Cheng Qi Tang |
| Safflowers (Hong Hua) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang |
| Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang |
Herbs that drain Dampness
Henoch-Schonlein purpura 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 henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Talc (Hua Shi) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan |
| Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan |
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Henoch-Schonlein purpura 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 henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Xiao Feng San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura
| 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 clear Heat and dry Dampness
Henoch-Schonlein purpura 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 Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin), a key herb in some formulas recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Henoch-Schonlein purpura 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 White Peony Roots (Bai Shao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Henoch-Schonlein purpura can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Henoch-Schonlein purpura 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 henoch-Schonlein purpura, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang.