Bright-white complexion 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.
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.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause 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
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
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
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
Kidney Yang Deficiency
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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with bright-white complexion
Shen Fu Tang
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.
Why might Shen Fu Tang help with bright-white complexion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Collapse of Yang' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
Li Zhong Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Middle Burner. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Li Zhong Wan help with bright-white complexion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with bright-white complexion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with bright-white complexion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
Er Xian Tang
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.
Why might Er Xian Tang help with bright-white complexion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which bright-white complexion is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat bright-white complexion
Why might Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with bright-white complexion?
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.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with bright-white complexion?
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.
Why might Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with bright-white complexion?
Because Water Plantain 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.
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with bright-white complexion?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat bright-white complexion as a symptom, like Er Xian Tang or You Gui Wan for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Cuscuta Seed (Tu Si Zi) help with bright-white complexion?
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 You Gui 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.
Other symptoms often associated with bright-white complexion
Feeling of cold Loose stools Cold limbs Frequent urination Lower back pain Cold and weak knees Weak legs Impotence Premature ejaculation Low sperm count