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.
Bright-white complexion can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like bright-white complexion here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here bright-white complexion is often associated with feeling of cold, loose stools and cold limbs in the pattern “Collapse of Yang”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause bright-white complexion.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of bright-white complexion we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat bright-white complexion.
In Chinese Medicine bright-white complexion is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Ginseng (Ren Shen) is the king ingredient for Shen Fu Tang, a formula used for Collapse of Yang
Pulse type(s): Scattered (San), Slow (Chi), Hidden (Fu)
In addition to bright-white complexion, other symptoms associated with Collapse of Yang include feeling of cold, loose stools and cold limbs.
Collapse of Yang is often treated with Shen Fu Tang, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Shen Fu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that rescue devastated yang", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores Yang".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to bright-white complexion, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency include feeling of cold, loose stools and lower back pain.
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency is often treated with Li Zhong Wan, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Dried Ginger - Gan Jiang - as a key herb). Li Zhong Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Middle Burner".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to bright-white complexion, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include feeling of cold, loose stools and cold limbs.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
The top herbs in Shen Fu Tang are Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi)
Source date: 1445 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Restores Yang. Strongly tonifies the source Qi. Saves Qi from collapsing due to devastated Yang.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Collapse of Yang' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
The top herbs in Li Zhong Wan are Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Middle Burner. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
The top herbs in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan are Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu) and Yam (Shan Yao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
The top herbs in You Gui Wan are Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) and Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao)
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
The top herbs in Er Xian Tang are Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao), Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo) and Morinda Roots (Ba Ji Tian)
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
Because Prepared Aconite is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bright-white complexion as a symptom, like You Gui Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang.
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bright-white complexion as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Tu Si Zi Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bright-white complexion as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Because Cuscuta Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bright-white complexion as a symptom, like Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan or Tu Si Zi Wan for instance.
Cuscuta Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence. Nourishes the Liver.
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bright-white complexion as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Feeling of cold Loose stools Cold limbs Frequent urination Lower back pain Cold and weak knees Weak legs Impotence Premature ejaculation Low sperm count