Appendicitis 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.
Appendicitis factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Pain in the groin Alternating fever and chills Guarding of the abdominal musculature and one other symptom
Recommended formula: Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, appendicitis can be associated with five 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", as a matter of fact here appendicitis can be caused by five different patterns.
To understand whether someone's appendicitis might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from appendicitis alone. For instance when appendicitis is caused by the pattern Blood Stagnation with Heat, patients also experience symptoms such as lower abdominal distension and pain that increases with pressure, guarding of the abdominal musculature, pain in the groin and alternating fever and chills. Similarly, patients with Blood Stagnation with Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a pale tongue with yellow coating.
We've listed below a description of the five patterns associated with appendicitis so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities 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 seven formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with appendicitis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The five "patterns of disharmony" associated with appendicitis
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang, a formula used for Blood Stagnation with Heat
Blood Stagnation with Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Symptoms: Pain in the groin Alternating fever and chills Guarding of the abdominal musculature Lower abdominal distension and pain that increases with pressure
Appendicitis might be due to Blood Stagnation with Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as lower abdominal distension and pain that increases with pressure, guarding of the abdominal musculature, pain in the groin and alternating fever and chills. Similarly, patients with Blood Stagnation with Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a pale tongue with yellow coating.
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain Low-grade fever Hypochondriac pain Cold hands and feet
Appendicitis might be due to Exterior Cold invading the Interior if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain and chills. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Grey or black coating, Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Severe constipation Tense and firm abdomen Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
Appendicitis might be due to Heat in Yang brightness Organs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as severe constipation, flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness. Similarly, patients with Heat in Yang brightness Organs typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a tongue with grey or black coating, yellow coating.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Yang Excess
Yang Excess
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Appendicitis might be due to Yang Excess if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as .
Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) is the key herb for Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin, a formula used for Toxic Heat
Toxic Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Symptoms: Boils Sores Erythema Swellings Carbuncles
Appendicitis might be due to Toxic Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as boils, carbuncles, erythema and swellings. Similarly, patients with Toxic Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
The seven herbal formulas that might help with appendicitis
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines. Relieves constipation.
Why might Da Cheng Qi Tang help with appendicitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Heat in Yang brightness Organs and Yang Excess which are sometimes associated with appendicitis. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Clears Stagnant Heat in the intestines. Reduces swelling and disperses lumps.
Why might Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang help with appendicitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Blood Stagnation with Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with appendicitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Blood Stagnation with Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Interior. Disperses Cold. Unblocks the bowels. Alleviates pain.
Why might Da Huang Fu Zi Tang help with appendicitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a pattern sometimes associated with appendicitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Exterior Cold invading the Interior, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Resolves Toxicity. Cools the Blood. Reduces swelling.
Why might Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin help with appendicitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Toxic Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with appendicitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Toxic Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Si Ni San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Regulates Liver and Spleen. Eliminates Internal Heat.
Why might Si Ni San help with appendicitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with appendicitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
