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, rhinitis is sometimes associated with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, 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 rhinitis might be caused by the pattern Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from rhinitis alone. Indeed if rhinitis is caused by Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, patients also experience symptoms such as fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches, dizziness and red and sore eyes. Similarly, patients with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder so that you can have a better understanding of where rhinitis 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 seven formulas that can help treat Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder.
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Symptoms: Headaches Dizziness Irritability Short temper Red and sore eyes Painful urination Diminished hearing Swelling in the ears Foul-smelling leukorrhea Bitter taste in the mouth Fixed pain in the hypochondria Shortened menstrual cycle in women Swollen and itchy external genitalia
Rhinitis might be due to Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as fixed pain in the hypochondria, headaches, dizziness and red and sore eyes. Similarly, patients with Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder here
The top herbs in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang are Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao), Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) and Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, a pattern sometimes associated with rhinitis. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat Excess in the Liver or Gallbladder, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Wan Dai Tang are Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu), Yam (Shan Yao) and Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Middle Burner. Removes Dampness. Stops vaginal discharge. Strengthens the Spleen.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rhinitis. 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 Si Ni San are Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi) and White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Regulates Liver and Spleen. Eliminates Internal Heat.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rhinitis. 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 Ma Huang Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Releases exterior cold. Treats wheezing.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rhinitis. 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 Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang are Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), Maltose (Yi Tang) and Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rhinitis. 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 Jie Lian Qiao Tang are Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie), Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) and White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Source date: 1773 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Dispels Wind. Clears toxic-Heat. Disperses Stagnation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rhinitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Source date: 1617
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Spreads Lung Qi. Clears Heat. Unblocks the orifices (specifically the nose) .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with rhinitis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).