Red nose 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.
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Red nose 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 nose 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 nose is often associated with night sweats, insomnia and dizziness in the pattern “Yin Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of red nose we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the four medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat red nose.
Yin Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause red nose
In Chinese Medicine red nose is a symptom for the pattern "Yin Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a formula used for Yin Deficiency
Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Red
In the case of Yin Deficiency, the body is short in the cooling, moistening and nurturing aspects. This leads to Heat and Dryness accompanied by weakness and lack of strength and resistance. Yin becomes Deficient by over-working, lack of sleep, over-exercising, overindulgence in sex, long-term chronic diseases, internal injury due to the seven emotions, and the over-eating of dry and hot-natured foods.
In addition to red nose, other symptoms associated with Yin Deficiency include night sweats, insomnia and dizziness.
Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys".
Three herbal formulas that might help with red nose
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys.
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with red nose?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yin Deficiency' of which flushed nose is a symptom.
Zuo Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.
Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with red nose?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yin Deficiency' of which flushed nose is a symptom.
Mu Li San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Inhibits sweating . Stabilizes the exterior.
Why might Mu Li San help with red nose?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yin Deficiency' of which flushed nose is a symptom.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat red nose
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with red nose?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red nose as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Zuo Gui Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with red nose?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red nose as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Zuo Gui Wan for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with red nose?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat red nose as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Zuo Gui Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Oyster Shell (Mu Li Ke) help with red nose?
Because it is a key herb in Mu Li San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with red nose as a symptom)
Oyster Shells is a Cold herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Bladder, the Gallbladder, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Calms and anchors the spirit. Moistens Dryness. Softens and removes lumps. Nourish the Yin and subdues the overflowing of the Yang,
Other symptoms often associated with red nose
Night sweats Insomnia Dizziness Poor memory Irritability Headaches Dry cough Malar flush Restlessness Five palm heat