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, boils is sometimes associated with Heat in the Blood, 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 boils might be caused by the pattern Heat in the Blood, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from boils alone. Indeed if boils is caused by Heat in the Blood, patients also experience symptoms such as fever, black and tarry stools, abdominal distention and fullness and thirst with an inability to swallow. Similarly, patients with Heat in the Blood typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Heat in the Blood so that you can have a better understanding of where boils 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 five formulas that can help treat Heat in the Blood.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the key herb for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
Recommended herbal formula: Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Symptoms: Fever Delirious speech Black and tarry stools Abdominal distention and fullness Thirst with an inability to swallow Frequent bleeding episodes in stools urine or vomit
Boils might be due to Heat in the Blood if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as fever, black and tarry stools, abdominal distention and fullness and thirst with an inability to swallow. Similarly, patients with Heat in the Blood typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.
The top herbs in Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang are Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) and Red Peony Roots (Chi Shao)
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat in the Blood, a pattern sometimes associated with boils. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat in the Blood, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Dispels Wind and Dampness. Augments Qi.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with boils. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Jing Fang Bai Du San are Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie), Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) and Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo)
Source date: 1550 AD
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Dispels Wind and Dampness. Augments Qi.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with boils. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Shi Wei Bai Du San are Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng), Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) and Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
Source date: 1760-1835 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Dispels Wind and transforms Dampness. Clears Toxic Heat .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with boils. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Er Qing Gao are Natural Indigo (Qing Dai), Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye) and Mirabilites (Mang Xiao)
Source date: 1617 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Clears Toxic-Heat. Disperses swelling. Relieves pain.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with boils. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).