Hepatic coma 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, hepatic coma 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 hepatic coma 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 hepatic coma alone. Indeed if hepatic coma 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 hepatic coma 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 three formulas that can help treat Heat in the Blood.
Heat in the Blood, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with hepatic coma
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the key herb for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
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
Hepatic coma 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 three herbal formulas that might help with hepatic coma
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with hepatic coma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat in the Blood, a pattern sometimes associated with hepatic coma. 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).
Zhi Bao Dan
Source date: 1075
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Resolves toxicity. Transforms Phlegm .
Why might Zhi Bao Dan help with hepatic coma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with hepatic coma. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Su He Xiang Wan
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 15 herbs
Key actions: Warms and aromatically opens the sensory orifices. Promotes the movement of Qi. Transforms turbidity.
Why might Su He Xiang Wan help with hepatic coma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with hepatic coma. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
