Nosebleed 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.
bloody nose and epistaxis redirect here
Nosebleed 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 nosebleed 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 nosebleed is often associated with tinnitus, dizziness and irritability in the pattern “Liver Fire Blazing”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause nosebleed.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of nosebleed we’ve identified five 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 nosebleed.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause nosebleed
In Chinese Medicine nosebleed 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 Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Fire Blazing
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to nosebleed, other symptoms associated with Liver Fire Blazing include tinnitus, dizziness and irritability.
Liver Fire Blazing is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for 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 nosebleed, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include bloody sputum, fever and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with nosebleed
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with nosebleed?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which epistaxis 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 nosebleed?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody nose 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 nosebleed?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody nose is a symptom.
Shi Hui San
Source date: 1348g
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Blood and . Stops bleeding. Clears Heat and drains Fire.
Why might Shi Hui San help with nosebleed?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody nose 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 nosebleed?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which bloody nose is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for nosebleed
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat nosebleed
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with nosebleed?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat nosebleed as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu 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 Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with nosebleed?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat nosebleed as a symptom, like Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang or Bai He Di Huang 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with nosebleed?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with nosebleed as a symptom)
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 Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with nosebleed?
Because it is a key herb in Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with nosebleed as a symptom)
Bupleurum Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang.
Why might Red Peony Root (Chi Shao) help with nosebleed?
Because it is a key herb in Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' (a pattern with nosebleed as a symptom)
Red Peony Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver.
Other symptoms often associated with nosebleed
Bloody sputum Hematemesis Abnormal uterine bleeding Sores Hematochezia Fever Hematuria Carbuncles Chest pain Insomnia