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 cold hands and feet, aphasia and coma in the pattern “Heat in Pericardium”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of macules we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Qing Ying Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Heat in Pericardium, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause macules
In Chinese Medicine macules is a symptom for the pattern "Heat in Pericardium". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
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 cold hands and feet, aphasia and coma.
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".
A herbal formula 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 Pericardium' of which macules is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat In Pericardium include cold hands and feet, aphasia and coma.
Water buffalo horn might help with macules
Why might Water Buffalo Horn (Shui Niu Jiao) help with macules?
Because it is a key herb in Qing Ying Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat in Pericardium' (a pattern with macules as a symptom)
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.
Other symptoms often associated with macules
Cold hands and feet Aphasia Coma Convulsions Fever at night Delirium Mental confusion Incoherent speech