Pelvic Inflammatory Diseaseaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Pelvic Inflammatory Disorders
Sub-symptom(s): Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Acute Pelvic Inflammatory
What is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a condition that affects numerous women and encompasses a spectrum of inflammatory disorders of the upper female genital tract, including endometritis, salpingitis, and the associated complications of abscess formation and chronic pelvic pain. Its presentations can range from subtle, asymptomatic inflammation to severe illness with acute abdominal pain.
How does TCM view Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches Pelvic Inflammatory Disease not as a single illness, but as a manifestation of imbalance and disharmony within the body. TCM delves beyond the symptoms, seeking the root cause in disharmonious patterns like Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis, or Damp-Heat accumulation.
Understanding the unique pattern of disharmony in each patient is fundamental to TCM, as it guides the personalized treatment strategy, including the selection of acupuncture points, herbs, and dietary advice.
Causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease According to TCM
In TCM, the complexity of PID is attributed to factors such as Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner or Qi And Blood Stagnation. For instance, Damp-Heat might stem from external pathogenic factors or dietary imbalances leading to symptoms like pelvic pain and irregular menstruation.
Qi Stagnation, on the other hand, could be due to emotional stress or lifestyle, causing pain and swelling. This holistic view underscores the importance of lifestyle and emotional health in managing PID, emphasizing treatment tailored to individual patterns of disharmony.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
TCM treatment of PID involves a variety of herbal formulas designed to address the specific patterns identified in a patient. For Heat-clearing and Damp-resolving, formulas like Yin Chen Hao Tang may be employed. If Blood stasis is observed, invigorating herbs within Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan can be used. In cases of Cold due to Yang deficiency, a warming formula such as Zhen Wu Tang might be administered. Ultimately, the choice of herbs and formulas in TCM is a nuanced decision based on a thorough diagnosis of the individual's overall health and imbalance patterns.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address pelvic inflammatory disease, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
- Formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that harmonize lesser yang-warp disorders
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that tonify qi
- Formulas that promote qi movement
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, with cinnamon twigs as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas when it arises from disharmony in the female reproductive system, resulting in symptoms like irregular bleeding or abnormal discharge.
One such formula is Zhen Ling Dan, with limonitum as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
Formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas if it is related to internal heat causing abscesses and sores.
One such formula is Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang, with rhubarb as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear internal abscesses and sores" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang | Rhubarb (Da Huang) |
| Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San | Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren) |
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas if it stems from an excess heat condition in specific organs, leading to internal disharmony.
One such formula is Huang Qin Tang, with baikal skullcap root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat from the organs" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Huang Qin Tang | Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) |
| Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) |
Formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas in cases of imbalances in the lesser Yang (Shao Yang) phase, which often involve alternating hot and cold sensations.
One such formula is Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang, with sweet wormwood herb as a key herb.
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Li Zhong Wan, with dried ginger as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas when there's an imbalance between the Liver and Spleen systems, often manifesting as digestive disturbances and emotional fluctuations.
One such formula is Xiao Yao San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is Yin Chen Hao Tang, with virgate wormwood as a key herb.
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.
One such formula is Zhen Wu Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas if it results from Qi deficiency, necessitating treatments that boost the body's vital energy.
One such formula is Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Formulas that promote Qi movement
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these formulas if it stems from stagnation or imbalance in the flow of Qi, the vital life energy, within the body.
One such formula is Wu Yao Tang, with lindera root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address pelvic inflammatory disease, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for yin deficiency
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Herbs that regulate qi
Herbs that drain Dampness
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) | Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan |
| Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren) | Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San |
| Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) | Yin Chen Hao Tang |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Tao He Cheng Qi Tang |
| Leeches (Shui Zhi) | Di Dang Tang |
| Tabanus Horseflies (Meng Chong) | Di Dang Tang |
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Limonitum (Yu Yu Liang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Zhen Ling Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that stabilize and bind" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Limonitum (Yu Yu Liang) | Zhen Ling Dan |
| Red Halloysite (Chi Shi Zhi) | Zhen Ling Dan |
| Foxnut Seeds (Qian Shi) | Yi Huang Tang |
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) | Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang | Huang Qin Tang |
| Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang |
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Li Zhong Wan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) | Li Zhong Wan |
| Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) | Zhen Wu Tang |
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang |
| Yam (Shan Yao) | Yi Huang Tang |
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Sweet Wormwood Herbs (Qing Hao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Xiao Yao San.
Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by a lack of Yin, which is essential for cooling and moistening the body, thereby restoring balance.
One such herb is Tortoise Plastrons (Gui Ban), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Gu Jing Wan.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is White Peony Roots (Bai Shao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Gu Jing Wan.
Herbs that regulate Qi
Pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Lindera Roots (Wu Yao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for pelvic inflammatory disease, like Wu Yao Tang.