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 lips 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 lips 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 lips is often associated with dizziness, depression and scanty periods in the pattern “Qi And Blood Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause red lips.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of red lips we’ve identified three 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 lips.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause red lips
In Chinese Medicine red lips is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a formula used for Qi And Blood Stagnation
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
In addition to red lips, other symptoms associated with Qi And Blood Stagnation include dizziness, depression and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi And Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Absence Of Menstruation or Menopausal Syndrome.
Qi And Blood Stagnation 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 Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Exterior Heat and Dryness invades the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. It eventually leads to Lung Yin Deficiency, if not intervened for a long time.
In addition to red lips, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include depression, dry mouth and night sweats.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Lung Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Lung Yin Deficiency is often treated with Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to red lips, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include dizziness, insomnia and sore and weak limbs.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including White Peony Roots - Bai Shao - as a key herb). Xuan Yu Tong Jing 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: "Pacifies the Liver".
Three herbal formulas that might help with red lips
Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Pacifies the Liver. Removes Stagnation. Drains Fire. Unblocks the Meridians.
Why might Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang help with red lips?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which red lips is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Source date: Ming dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation. Tonifies Spleen. Clears Deficient Heat. Nourishes the blood.
Why might Jia Wei Xiao Yao San help with red lips?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi And Blood Stagnation' of which red lips is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi And Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Source date: 1573 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin. Lubricates the Lung and clears phlegm.
Why might Bai He Gu Jin Tang help with red lips?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which red lips is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Lung Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat red lips
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with red lips?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red lips as a symptom, like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
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 Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with red lips?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red lips as a symptom, like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with red lips?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red lips as a symptom, like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with red lips?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red lips as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Bai He Gu Jin Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with red lips?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red lips as a symptom, like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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.
Conditions associated with red lips
Other symptoms often associated with red lips
Dizziness Fatigue Depression Dry mouth Scanty periods Night sweats Blurred vision Insomnia Pale face Tinnitus