Hematoma 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.
blood spots under the skin redirects here
Hematoma 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 hematoma 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 hematoma is often associated with poor appetite, fatigue and lassitude in the pattern “Spleen not controlling Blood”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hematoma we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Gui Pi Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Spleen not controlling Blood, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause hematoma
In Chinese Medicine hematoma is a symptom for the pattern "Spleen not controlling Blood". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen not controlling Blood
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
In addition to hematoma, other symptoms associated with Spleen not controlling Blood include poor appetite, fatigue and lassitude.
Spleen not controlling Blood is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood".
A herbal formula that might help with hematoma
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with hematoma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen not controlling Blood' of which blood spots under the skin is a symptom.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hematoma
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with hematoma?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen not controlling Blood' (a pattern with hematoma as a symptom)
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with hematoma?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen not controlling Blood' (a pattern with hematoma as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with hematoma?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen not controlling Blood' (a pattern with hematoma as a symptom)
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with hematoma?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen not controlling Blood' (a pattern with hematoma as a symptom)
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Other symptoms often associated with hematoma
Poor appetite Fatigue Lassitude Pale complexion Weak Limbs Loose stools Depression Bloody urine Bloody stools Abnormal uterine bleeding