Rashes 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.
itchy rashes and wind rash redirect here
Rashes 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 rashes 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 rashes is often associated with jaundice, fever and vaginal itching in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Liver”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of rashes we’ve identified two 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 rashes.
Damp-Heat in the Liver, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause rashes
In Chinese Medicine rashes is a symptom for the pattern "Damp-Heat in the Liver". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Liver
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
This pattern is caused by excessive Heat in the Liver and Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency. Dampness can cause the formation of Phlegm. Patients often have a feeling of fullness. It is often caused by bad diet and lifestyle, hot and damp environment and emotional stress such as anger.
In addition to rashes, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Liver include jaundice, fever and vaginal itching.
Damp-Heat in the Liver 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".
Two herbal formulas that might help with rashes
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 rashes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver' of which vesicular skin rashes and itching is a symptom.
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat. Resolves dampness. Reduces jaundice.
Why might Yin Chen Hao Tang help with rashes?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver' of which vesicular skin rashes and itching is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for rashes
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat rashes
Why might Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with rashes?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat rashes as a symptom, like Yin Chen Hao Tang or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
Why might Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) help with rashes?
Because it is a key herb in Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver' (a pattern with rashes as a symptom)
Chinese Gentian is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind.
Why might Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) help with rashes?
Because it is a key herb in Yin Chen Hao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver' (a pattern with rashes as a symptom)
Virgate Wormwood is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Damp and clears Heat, especially from the Liver and Gallbladder. Eliminates Heat and relieves the Exterior. Relieve Jaundice.
Why might Water Buffalo Horn (Shui Niu Jiao) help with rashes?
Because it is a key herb in Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with rashes 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.
Why might Fleeceflower Stem (Ye Jiao Teng) help with rashes?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat rashes as can be seen on Fleeceflower Stem's page.
Fleeceflower Stems is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes the Heart Blood and calms the spirit. Tonifies Blood, improves circulation and dispels Wind. Applied externally, it relieves itches and rashes.
Other symptoms often associated with rashes
Sores Eczema Measles Scabies Ringworm Irritability Jaundice Fever Carbuncles Rubella