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.
Cholecystitis factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
Symptoms: Anemia Vertigo Dizziness and ten other symptoms
Recommended formula: Xiao Yao San
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Symptoms: Anxiety Palpitations Slight thirst and seven other symptoms
Recommended formula: Wen Dan Tang
In Chinese Medicine, cholecystitis can be associated with seven 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 cholecystitis can be caused by seven different patterns.
To understand whether someone's cholecystitis 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 cholecystitis alone. For instance when cholecystitis is caused by the pattern Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen, patients also experience symptoms such as chest fullness, chest pain, anemia and dizziness. Similarly, patients with Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen typically exhibit empty (Xu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
We've listed below a description of the seven patterns associated with cholecystitis 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 eighteen formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with cholecystitis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The seven "patterns of disharmony" associated with cholecystitis
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Yao San
Symptoms: Anemia Vertigo Dizziness Headaches Dry mouth Chest pain Dry throat Leukorrhea Poor appetite Chest fullness Breast distention Irregular menstruation Alternating fever and chills
Cholecystitis might be due to Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as chest fullness, chest pain, anemia and dizziness. Similarly, patients with Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen typically exhibit empty (Xu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
Read more about Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen here
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Wen Dan Tang
Symptoms: Anxiety Palpitations Slight thirst Nausea or vomiting Dizziness or vertigo Bitter taste in the mouth Indeterminate gnawing hunger Focal distention of the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum Dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams
Cholecystitis might be due to Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, dizziness or vertigo, dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat here
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Heat in Gall Bladder
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Nausea Epigastrium fullness Bitter taste in the mouth Stifling sensation in the chest Spitting up bitter or sour fluids Mild chills alternating with pronounced fever Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria
Cholecystitis might be due to Heat in Gall Bladder if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as mild chills alternating with pronounced fever, bitter taste in the mouth, stifling sensation in the chest and spitting up bitter or sour fluids. Similarly, patients with Heat in Gall Bladder typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a red tongue with thick coating, yellow coating.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Heat in the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Symptoms: Clump Phlegm Chest pain Constipation Epigastric pain Clumping in the chest Bitter taste in the mouth Epigastric focal distention Focal distention of the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum
Cholecystitis might be due to Phlegm Heat in the Lungs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as constipation, bitter taste in the mouth, coughing of copious thick yellow sputum and chest pain. Similarly, patients with Phlegm Heat in the Lungs typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with sticky coating, yellow 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
Cholecystitis 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
Cholecystitis might be due to Yang Excess if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as .
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Jin Ling Zi San
Symptoms: Hernial pain Irritability Bitter taste in the mouth Intermittent epigastric pain Painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks
Cholecystitis might be due to Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as intermittent epigastric pain, hernial pain, painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks and irritability. Similarly, patients with Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat here
The eighteen herbal formulas that might help with cholecystitis
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 cholecystitis?
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 cholecystitis. 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).
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen, a pattern sometimes associated with cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Source date: Qing Dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder. Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes. Resolves Phlegm. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang help with cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat in Gall Bladder, a pattern sometimes associated with cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat in Gall Bladder, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Phlegm. Expands the chest. Dissipates clumps.
Why might Xiao Xian Xiong Tang help with cholecystitis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, a pattern sometimes associated with cholecystitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to cholecystitis
Bitter taste in the mouth Chest pain Focal distention of the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum Chest fullness Anemia Dizziness Headaches Dry mouth Dry throat
