Malaria 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.
Malaria factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Thirst Nausea Epigastrium fullness and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation
Symptoms: Coughing Dizziness Headaches and four other symptoms
Recommended formula: Xiao Chai Hu Tang
In Chinese Medicine, malaria can be associated with two 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 malaria can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's malaria 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 malaria alone. For instance when malaria is caused by the pattern Heat in Gall Bladder, patients also experience 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.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with malaria 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 six formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with malaria, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The two "patterns of disharmony" associated with malaria
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
Malaria 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 Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Tight (Jin)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Symptoms: Coughing Dizziness Headaches Depression Moving pain Listlessness Hypochondrium fullness
Malaria might be due to Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as coughing, hypochondrium fullness, dizziness and headaches. Similarly, patients with Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation typically exhibit empty (Xu) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a normal (light red), pale tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation here
The six herbal formulas that might help with malaria
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 malaria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat in Gall Bladder, a pattern sometimes associated with malaria. 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 Chai Hu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer). Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions. Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold.
Why might Xiao Chai Hu Tang help with malaria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation, a pattern sometimes associated with malaria. If it looks like you might suffer from Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Jie Nue Qi Bao Yin
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Regulates Cold and Heat. Harmonizes the Stomach. Directs rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Jie Nue Qi Bao Yin help with malaria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with malaria. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Qing Pi Tang
Source date: 1253 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes and resolves. Transforms Phlegm and dries Dampness. Improves the Spleen's transportive function. Clears Heat. Moves Qi.
Why might Qing Pi Tang help with malaria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with malaria. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Da Yuan Yin
Source date: 1642 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Opens the membrane source by thrusting out pathogens. Clears away filth. Transforms turbidity.
Why might Da Yuan Yin help with malaria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with malaria. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
