Acute cholecystitis according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, acute cholecystitis is sometimes associated with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's acute cholecystitis might be caused by the pattern Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from acute cholecystitis alone. Indeed if acute cholecystitis is caused by Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, patients also experience symptoms such as fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches, dizziness and red and sore eyes. Similarly, patients with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder so that you can have a better understanding of where acute cholecystitis might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below six formulas that can help treat Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder.
Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with acute cholecystitis
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Symptoms: Headaches Dizziness Irritability Short temper Red and sore eyes Painful urination Diminished hearing Swelling in the ears Foul-smelling leukorrhea Bitter taste in the mouth Fixed pain in the hypochondria Shortened menstrual cycle in women Swollen and itchy external genitalia
Acute cholecystitis might be due to Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches, dizziness and red and sore eyes. Similarly, patients with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder here
The six herbal formulas that might help with acute cholecystitis
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with acute cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a pattern sometimes associated with acute cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Why might Huang Lian Jie Du Tang help with acute cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with acute cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
San Wu Bei Ji Wan
Why might San Wu Bei Ji Wan help with acute cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with acute cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang
Why might Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang help with acute cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with acute cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Expels pus and reduces abscesses. Warms the Yang. Disperses clumping.
Why might Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San help with acute cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with acute cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to acute cholecystitis
Fixed pain in the hypochondria Headaches Dizziness Red and sore eyes Diminished hearing Swelling in the ears Bitter taste in the mouth Irritability Short temper Painful urination
