Multiple furuncles 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, multiple furuncles is sometimes associated with Toxic Heat, 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 multiple furuncles might be caused by the pattern Toxic Heat, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from multiple furuncles alone. Indeed if multiple furuncles is caused by Toxic Heat, patients also experience 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.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Toxic Heat so that you can have a better understanding of where multiple furuncles 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 two formulas that can help treat Toxic Heat.
Toxic Heat, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with multiple furuncles
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
Multiple furuncles 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 two herbal formulas that might help with multiple furuncles
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 multiple furuncles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Toxic Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with multiple furuncles. If it looks like you might suffer from Toxic Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Liang Ge San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Drains Fire. Unblocks the bowels by clearing the Upper Burner. Draining the Middle Burner.
Why might Liang Ge San help with multiple furuncles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with multiple furuncles. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
