Macules 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.
Macules 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 macules 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 macules is often associated with fever at night, delirium and incoherent speech in the pattern “Heat in Nutritive Qi level”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause macules.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of macules we’ve identified four herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the four medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat macules.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause macules
In Chinese Medicine macules 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.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Qing Ying Tang, a formula used for Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
In addition to macules, other symptoms associated with Heat in Nutritive Qi level include fever at night, delirium and incoherent speech.
Heat in Nutritive Qi level is often treated with Qing Ying Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Qing Ying 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: "Clears the Nutritive level Heat".
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat victorious agitating Blood
Heat victorious agitating Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to macules, other symptoms associated with Heat victorious agitating Blood include high fever, manic behavior and vomiting of blood.
Heat victorious agitating 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".
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Heat in Pericardium
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
In addition to macules, other symptoms associated with Heat in Pericardium include fever at night, delirium and incoherent speech.
Heat in Pericardium is often treated with Qing Ying Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Qing Ying 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: "Clears the Nutritive level Heat".
Four herbal formulas that might help with macules
Qing Ying Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears the Nutritive level Heat. Relieves Fire Toxin. Removes Heat. Nourishes Yin.
Why might Qing Ying Tang help with macules?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Nutritive Qi level' of which macules is a symptom.
Bai He Di Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Lungs. Enriches the Body Fluids. Clears Heat and cools the Blood .
Why might Bai He Di Huang Tang help with macules?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Nutritive Qi level' of which macules is a symptom.
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 macules?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat victorious agitating Blood' of which dark macules is a symptom.
Zhi Bao Dan
Source date: 1075
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Resolves toxicity. Transforms Phlegm .
Why might Zhi Bao Dan help with macules?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Pericardium' of which macules is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for macules
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat macules
Why might Water Buffalo Horn (Shui Niu Jiao) help with macules?
Because Water Buffalo Horn is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat macules as a symptom, like Qing Ying Tang or Zhi Bao Dan for instance.
Water Buffalo Horns is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Salty. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, drains Fire and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears Heat and Fire and stops tremors and convulsions. Cools Fire and expels toxins.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with macules?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat macules as a symptom, like Bai He Di Huang Tang or Qing Ying Tang for instance.
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Lily Bulb (Bai He) help with macules?
Because it is a key herb in Bai He Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat in Nutritive Qi level' (a pattern with macules as a symptom)
Lily Bulbs is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and stops cough due to either Lung Yin Deficiency or Lung-Heat. Clears Heat from the Heart and calms the Spirit (Shen).
Why might Musk (She Xiang) help with macules?
Because it is a key herb in Zhi Bao Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat in Pericardium' (a pattern with macules as a symptom)
Musk is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Opens the Orifices and awakens the spirit. Moves Blood and reduces inflammation and pain. Moves downward, assisting the delivery of late or stillborn babies.
Other symptoms often associated with macules
Fever at night Delirium Incoherent speech Aphasia Cold hands and feet Insomnia Coma Convulsions Mental confusion High fever