Red 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.
Red 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 red 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 red face is often associated with dizziness, bitter taste in the mouth and constipation in the pattern “Heat in the Blood”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause red face.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of red 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 red face.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause red face
In Chinese Medicine red face is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
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 red face, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include dizziness, bitter taste in the mouth and constipation.
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".
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 red face, other symptoms associated with Liver Fire Blazing include dizziness, bitter taste in the mouth and constipation.
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".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Fire blazing
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi), Hasty (Cu)
In addition to red face, other symptoms associated with Heart Fire blazing include bitter taste in the mouth, feeling of heat and dream disturbed sleep.
Heart Fire blazing is often treated with Xie Xin Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Xie Xin Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Drains Fire".
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to red face, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium include bitter taste in the mouth, dream disturbed sleep and palpitations.
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Phlegm".
Five herbal formulas that might help with red face
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 red face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which red face is a symptom.
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 red face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Fire Blazing' of which red face is a symptom.
Zi Xue Dan
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Controls spasms and convulsions. Extinguishes Wind.
Why might Zi Xue Dan help with red face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Fire blazing' of which red face is a symptom.
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with red face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium' of which red face is a symptom.
Xie Xin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Drains Fire. Resolves Toxicity. Dries Dampness.
Why might Xie Xin Tang help with red face?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Fire blazing' of which red face is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for red face
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat red face
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with red face?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red face as a symptom, like Feng Yin Tang or Bai Hu Tang 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with red face?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red face as a symptom, like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang or Gu Jing Wan 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 Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with red face?
Because Baikal Skullcap Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red face as a symptom, like Qing Re Gu Jing Tang or Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin for instance.
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung, the Small intestine and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with red face?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red face as a symptom, like Dang Gui Long Hui Wan or Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with red face?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red face as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
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.
Other symptoms often associated with red face
Dizziness Bitter taste in the mouth Constipation Irritability Feeling of heat Heavy periods Scanty periods Dream disturbed sleep Dark Urine Palpitations