Snake Bitesaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Venomous bites
Parent symptom: Snake Bites
What is snake bites?
Snake bites occur when a snake's fangs penetrate the skin, injecting venom into the victim. This venom can cause a range of symptoms, from mild irritation to severe systemic reactions, depending on the snake species and the amount of venom injected. Venomous snake bites, also known as snake envenomations or toxic snake envenomations, can lead to swelling, pain, and, in severe cases, organ damage or death. Early medical intervention is crucial to mitigate these potentially life-threatening effects.
How does TCM view snake bites?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views snake bites through the lens of patterns of disharmony within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on the immediate physical and toxicological effects of the venom, TCM considers how the venom disrupts the body's balance. These disruptions can manifest as patterns such as Toxic Heat, Blood Stagnation, or Wind-Phlegm. Identifying the specific pattern is essential for effective treatment, as different patterns require different therapeutic approaches.
Causes of snake bites according to TCM
In TCM, the effects of a snake bite can be understood through various patterns of disharmony. One common pattern is Toxic Heat, which occurs when the venom introduces Toxins that generate excessive Heat within the body. This pattern is characterized by symptoms like intense pain, redness, swelling, and a rapid pulse.
Another pattern associated with snake bites is Blood Stagnation, where the venom causes Blood to congeal and flow improperly, leading to swelling, bruising, and sharp pain at the bite site. Recognizing these patterns allows practitioners to tailor their treatments to the specific needs of the patient, addressing the underlying disharmony rather than just the surface symptoms.
TCM Herbs for Snake Bites
TCM employs a variety of herbs to treat snake bites, targeting the specific patterns of disharmony caused by the venom. For instance, Andrographis Herbs (Chuan Xin Lian) are often used to clear Heat and relieve Toxicity. This Bitter and Cold herb targets the Stomach, Large Intestine, Lung, and Small Intestine, helping to reduce inflammation and counteract the toxic effects of the venom.
Another effective herb is Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi), which invigorates the Blood. This Bitter, Sweet, and Warm herb targets the Spleen and Liver, helping to alleviate Blood Stagnation and reduce swelling and pain. These herbs can be used individually or combined in formulas to provide comprehensive treatment, depending on the patient's specific pattern of disharmony.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that anchor and calm the spirit
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs for external application
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Snake bites 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 Andrographis Herbs (Chuan Xin Lian), which is directly recommended for snake bites.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for snake bites
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Andrographis Herbs (Chuan Xin Lian) | Not applicable |
| Bistort Rhizomes (Quan Shen) | Not applicable |
| Catclaw Buttercup Roots (Mao Zhao Cao) | Not applicable |
| Chinese Lobelia Herbs (Ban Bian Lian) | Not applicable |
| Oldenlandia (Bai Hua She She Cao) | Not applicable |
| Paris Rhizomes (Chong Lou) | Not applicable |
| Purslane (Ma Chi Xian) | Not applicable |
| Semiaquilegia Root Tubers (Tian Kui Zi) | Not applicable |
| Thunder God Vines (Lei Gong Teng) | Not applicable |
| Tokyo Violets (Zi Hua Di Ding) | Not applicable |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Snake bites 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 Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi), which is directly recommended for snake bites.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for snake bites
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi) | Not applicable |
| Pepino Melons (Ren Shen Guo) | Not applicable |
| Rice Wine (Mi Jiu) | Not applicable |
| Shiny-Leaf Prickly-Ash (Liang Mian Zhen) | Not applicable |
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Snake bites can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing), which is directly recommended for snake bites.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough" recommended for snake bites
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing) | Not applicable |
| Giant Typhonium Rhizomes (Bai Fu Zi) | Not applicable |
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Snake bites 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 Paniculate Swallowwort Roots (Xu chang Qing), which is directly recommended for snake bites.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness" recommended for snake bites
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Paniculate Swallowwort Roots (Xu chang Qing) | Not applicable |
| Stinging Nettle Leaves (Xun Ma) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Snake bites 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 Barbat Skullcap Herb (Ban Zhi Lian), which is directly recommended for snake bites.
Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit
Snake bites can be treated by these herbs if it stems from disturbances in the Shen (spirit), often due to instability in the heart and kidney energies.
One such herb is Cinnabar (Zhu Sha), which is directly recommended for snake bites.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Snake bites 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 Gold Coin Herb (Jin Qian Cao), which is directly recommended for snake bites.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Snake bites 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 Swallow-Wort Roots (Bai Wei), which is directly recommended for snake bites.
Herbs for external application
Snake bites 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 Realgar (Xiong Huang), which is directly recommended for snake bites.