Purple face 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.
Purple face 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 purple face 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 purple face is often associated with purple lips, purple nails and palpitations in the pattern “Heart Vessel obstructed”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause purple face.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of purple face 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 purple face.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause purple face
In Chinese Medicine purple face 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 Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Vessel obstructed
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Knotted (Jie), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to purple face, other symptoms associated with Heart Vessel obstructed include purple lips, purple nails and palpitations.
Heart Vessel obstructed is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple sides
Liver Blood Stagnation usually develops from Qi Stagnation, Cold and Heat. It has great influence over the Directing and Penetrating Vessels and thus the menstruation functions.
In addition to purple face, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood Stagnation include purple lips, purple nails and abdominal pain.
Liver Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
Five herbal formulas that might help with purple face
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates the Blood. Dispels blood Stagnation. Spreads the Liver Qi. Unblocks the channels.
Why might Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang help with purple face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which purple face is a symptom.
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with purple face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which purple face is a symptom.
Di Tan Tang
Source date: 1470 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Removes Phlegm. Opens the sensory orifices. Tonifies Qi.
Why might Di Tan Tang help with purple face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which purple face is a symptom.
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Channels. Disperses Cold. Nourishes the Blood. Unblocks the Blood vessels.
Why might Dang Gui Si Ni Tang help with purple face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which purple face is a symptom.
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with purple face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Stagnation' of which purple face is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat purple face
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with purple face?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat purple face as a symptom, like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang or Xiao Yao San 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with purple face?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat purple face as a symptom, like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang or 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.
Why might Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with purple face?
Because Bupleurum Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat purple face as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance.
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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with purple face?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat purple face as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Dang Gui Si Ni Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with purple face?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat purple face as a symptom, like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Other symptoms often associated with purple face
Purple lips Purple nails Palpitations Feeling of oppression of the chest Cold hands Stabbing chest pain Chest constriction Shortness of breath Depression Heart pain