Sties according to Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine, sties is sometimes associated with Exterior Cold invading the Interior, 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 sties might be caused by the pattern Exterior Cold invading the Interior, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from sties alone. Indeed if sties is caused by Exterior Cold invading the Interior, patients also experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain and chills. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.

We've listed below a more detailed description of Exterior Cold invading the Interior so that you can have a better understanding of where sties 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 Exterior Cold invading the Interior.

Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with sties

Exterior Cold invading the Interior

Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)

Tongue coating: Thick white coating

Recommended herbal formula: Da Huang Fu Zi Tang

Symptoms: Chills Constipation Abdominal pain Low-grade fever Hypochondriac pain Cold hands and feet

Sties might be due to Exterior Cold invading the Interior if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain and chills. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.

Read more about Exterior Cold invading the Interior here

The two herbal formulas that might help with sties

Da Huang Fu Zi Tang

Source date: 220 AD

Number of ingredients: 3 herbs

Key actions: Warms the Interior. Disperses Cold. Unblocks the bowels. Alleviates pain.

Why might Da Huang Fu Zi Tang help with sties?

Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Exterior Cold invading the Interior, a pattern sometimes associated with sties. If it looks like you might suffer from Exterior Cold invading the Interior, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).

Read more about Da Huang Fu Zi Tang here

Shi Wei Bai Du San

Source date: 1760-1835 AD

Number of ingredients: 10 herbs

Key actions: Dispels Wind and transforms Dampness. Clears Toxic Heat .

Why might Shi Wei Bai Du San help with sties?

Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with sties. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).

Read more about Shi Wei Bai Du San here