Itching 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.
Itching 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 itching 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 itching is often associated with dizziness, night sweats and tinnitus in the pattern “/tcm-education-center/patterns/heat-in-the-blood”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of itching we’ve identified two 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 itching.
Heat in the Blood, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause itching
In Chinese Medicine itching is a symptom for the pattern "Heat in the Blood". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for /tcm-education-center/patterns/heat-in-the-blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to itching, other symptoms associated with /tcm-education-center/patterns/heat-in-the-blood include dizziness, night sweats and tinnitus.
From a Western Medicine standpoint /tcm-education-center/patterns/heat-in-the-blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
/tcm-education-center/patterns/heat-in-the-blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
Two herbal formulas that might help with itching
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with itching?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/heat-in-the-blood' of which itching is a symptom.
Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin . Clears Heat. Stops bleeding. Stabilizes the menses.
Why might Gu Jing Wan help with itching?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/heat-in-the-blood' of which itching is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for itching
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat itching
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with itching?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat itching as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Yin or Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with itching?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat itching as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Yin or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with itching?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat itching as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Yin or Dang Gui Di Huang Yin for instance.
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 Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with itching?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat itching as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang 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.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with itching?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat itching as a symptom, like Dang Gui Di Huang Yin or Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San 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.
Other symptoms often associated with itching
Dizziness Night sweats Hot flushes Tinnitus Sores Intestinal parasites Constipation Insomnia Irritability Eczema