Dull-yellow 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.
Dull-yellow 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 dull-yellow 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 dull-yellow complexion is often associated with feeling of heaviness, feeling of heat and sticky taste in the mouth in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Stomach”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause dull-yellow complexion.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dull-yellow complexion we’ve identified three 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 dull-yellow complexion.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause dull-yellow complexion
In Chinese Medicine dull-yellow complexion is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
In addition to dull-yellow complexion, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Stomach include feeling of heaviness, feeling of heat and sticky taste in the mouth.
Damp-Heat in the Stomach is often treated with Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Lian Po Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat".
The Gallbladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Dampness in the Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to dull-yellow complexion, other symptoms associated with Dampness in the Gallbladder include feeling of heaviness, sticky taste in the mouth and jaundice.
Dampness in the Gallbladder is often treated with San Ren Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Apricot Seeds - Xing Ren - as a key herb). San Ren Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Damp-Heat".
Three herbal formulas that might help with dull-yellow complexion
Lian Po Yin
Source date: 1862 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Why might Lian Po Yin help with dull-yellow complexion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' of which dull-yellow complexion is a symptom.
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Source date: 13th century
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Key actions: Separates and reduces alcohol-dampness. Warms the Middle. Strengthens the Spleen .
Why might Ge Hua Jie Cheng San help with dull-yellow complexion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' of which dull-yellow complexion is a symptom.
San Ren Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Damp-Heat. Disseminates the Qi. Facilitates the Qi mechanisms.
Why might San Ren Tang help with dull-yellow complexion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Dampness in the Gallbladder' of which dull-yellow complexion is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dull-yellow complexion
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with dull-yellow complexion?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dull-yellow complexion as a symptom, like Lian Po Yin or San Ren Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Cardamon Fruit (Bai Dou Kou) help with dull-yellow complexion?
Because Cardamon Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dull-yellow complexion as a symptom, like Ge Hua Jie Cheng San or San Ren Tang for instance.
Cardamon Fruits is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and transforms Dampness. Invigorates Qi to remove Stomach and Spleen Qi Stagnation due to Dampness. Encourages appetite. Settles a restless fetus, stops morning sickness and prevents miscarriage. Used with tonifying herbs to prevent cloying and Stagnation.
Why might Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) help with dull-yellow complexion?
Because Houpu Magnolia Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dull-yellow complexion as a symptom, like Lian Po Yin or San Ren Tang for instance.
Houpu Magnolia Bark is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung.
Why might Apricot Seed (Xing Ren) help with dull-yellow complexion?
Because it is a key herb in San Ren Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Dampness in the Gallbladder' (a pattern with dull-yellow complexion as a symptom)
Apricot Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Stops cough and wheezing caused by either Heat or Cold. Lubricates the Intestines and relieves constipation.
Why might Goldthread Rhizome (Huang Lian) help with dull-yellow complexion?
Because it is a key herb in Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' (a pattern with dull-yellow complexion as a symptom)
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites
Other symptoms often associated with dull-yellow complexion
Feeling of heaviness Feeling of heat Sticky taste in the mouth Epigastric pain Epigastrium fullness Facial pain Blocked nose Nausea Poor appetite Burning sensation in the anus