Cirrhosisaccording to TCM

Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas when it arises from a deficiency in Yin energy, needing nourishment and strengthening of the body's vital essence.

One such formula is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.

Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.

Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.

One such formula is Xuan Fu Hua Tang, with inula flower as a key herb.

Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.

Formulas that vent membrane source

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas if it results from blockages in the body, often manifested as masses or lumps, needing actions that open and resolve these obstructions.

One such formula is Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang, with bupleurum root as a key herb.

Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.

One such formula is Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.

Formulas that rescue devastated Yang

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas if it is a result of a severe depletion or collapse of Yang energy, requiring urgent restoration and warming actions.

One such formula is Si Ni Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.

Formulas that expel Dampness

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas in cases where dampness obstructs the body's normal functions, necessitating herbs that specifically target and expel dampness.

One such formula is Wei Ling Tang, with water plantain as a key herb.

Formulas that clear Wind-Cold

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.

One such formula is Xiao Qing Long Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.

Formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas when there's an imbalance between the Liver and Spleen systems, often manifesting as digestive disturbances and emotional fluctuations.

One such formula is Xiao Yao San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.

Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness

Cirrhosis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.

One such formula is Yin Chen Hao Tang, with virgate wormwood as a key herb.

Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold

Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.

One such formula is Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.

Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.

One such herb is Dandelions (Pu Gong Ying), which is directly recommended for cirrhosis.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.

One such herb is Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.

One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Herbs that drain Dampness

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.

One such herb is Water Plantain (Ze Xie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Wei Ling Tang.

Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.

Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.

One such herb is Barbat Skullcap Herb (Ban Zhi Lian), which is directly recommended for cirrhosis.

Herbs that regulate Qi

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.

One such herb is Green Tangerine Peel (Qing Pi), which is directly recommended for cirrhosis.

Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.

One such herb is Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang.

Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.

One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Fu Zi Tang.

Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.

One such herb is Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.

Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs if it stems from damp accumulation, especially in the digestive system, using aromatic properties to transform and dispel dampness.

One such herb is Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Wei Ling Tang.

Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.

One such herb is Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Xuan Fu Hua Tang.

Purgative herbs that drain downward

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.

One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan.

Herbs that invigorate the Blood

Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.

One such herb is Ground Beetles (Tu Bie Chong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan.