Rheumatic Feveraccording to TCM
Symptom families: Rheumatic and Arthritic Disorders, Fever and Temperature-Related Conditions
Parent symptom: Rheumatism
Sub-symptom(s): Rheumatic Heart Disease
What is Rheumatic Fever?
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of inadequately treated strep throat or scarlet fever. Caused by an autoimmune response to the infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria, it can lead to serious conditions such as rheumatic heart disease. The disease typically affects children between the ages of 5 and 15 and can result in long-term heart complications if not properly treated. Symptoms include fever, painful and swollen joints, skin rash, and involuntary muscle movements.
How does TCM view Rheumatic Fever?
In the view of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), rheumatic fever is considered a manifestation of external pathogenic factors causing internal disharmony. Instead of the germ theory of disease, TCM focuses on the concept of bodily imbalance due to external evils such as Wind, Damp, Cold, and Heat, affecting the flow of Qi and Blood.
TCM stresses the importance of diagnosing the specific disharmony or pattern, which is essential for targeting treatment and restoring the body's natural balance and health.
Causes of Rheumatic Fever According to TCM
According to TCM, rheumatic fever arises when external pathogenic factors such as Wind, Damp, Cold, or Heat penetrate the body's defenses, leading to Qi And Blood Stagnation. For instance, an invasion of Damp-Wind can result in joint pain and swelling, mirroring the symptoms of rheumatic fever, while Heat can cause high fever and skin rashes.
These patterns reflect an intricate relationship between the body's internal conditions and environmental factors, requiring a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Rheumatic Fever
For the treatment of rheumatic fever, TCM selects formulas based on the presenting pattern. Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang, with its key component Notopterygium Roots, is often used to expel Damp-Wind from the body, addressing symptoms such as pain and inflammation in the joints. Xuan Bi Tang with Stephania Roots is favored for patterns of Damp-Heat, aiming to clear Heat and alleviate joint pain.
In cases of concurrent Exterior disorders with Interior Deficiency, Zai Zao San containing Milkvetch Roots is employed to strengthen the body's Qi while dispelling pathogenic factors. Each formula is carefully chosen to correspond with the specific TCM pattern observed in the patient, with the goal of harmonizing the Qi and Blood and dispelling the external evils responsible for the disease.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address rheumatic fever, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that dispel wind-Damp
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and clear heat
- Formulas that clear exterior disorders with interior deficiency
- Formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that tonify qi and blood
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Ma Huang Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear wind-Cold" recommended for rheumatic fever
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Ma Huang Tang | Ephedra (Ma Huang) |
| Xiao Qing Long Tang | Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) |
Formulas that dispel Wind-Damp
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these formulas when it arises from a pathogenic influence of wind combined with dampness, which often obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood.
One such formula is Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang, with notopterygium root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dispel wind-Damp" recommended for rheumatic fever
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang | Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo), Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) |
| Xuan Bi Tang | Stephania Roots (Fang Ji) |
Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and clear Heat
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these formulas in situations where the body is affected by both the oppressive summer heat and an internal heat excess, needing cooling and heat-clearing actions.
One such formula is Qing Luo Yin, with honeysuckle flowers as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency
Rheumatic fever can be treated by formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency if it arises from an external pathogen attacking a body with underlying weakness.
One such formula is Zai Zao San, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these formulas when it stems from a disharmony between the heart and the mind, often manifesting as emotional disturbances or sleep issues.
One such formula is Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, with biota seeds as a key herb.
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by an accumulation of dampness in the body, requiring diuretic actions to promote fluid balance.
One such formula is Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, with stephania root as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these formulas when there is a combined deficiency of both Qi and Blood, requiring comprehensive tonification.
One such formula is Zhi Gan Cao Tang, with liquorice as a key herb.
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Rheumatic Fever
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address rheumatic fever, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that nourish the heart and calm the spirit
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Ephedra (Ma Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatic fever, like Ma Huang Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for rheumatic fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Ephedra (Ma Huang) | Ma Huang Tang | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
| Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) | Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang |
| Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatic fever, like Zai Zao San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for rheumatic fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Zai Zao San | Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan | Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang |
| Ginseng (Ren Shen) | Zai Zao San |
| Liquorice (Gan Cao) | Zhi Gan Cao Tang |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatic fever, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for rheumatic fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Safflowers (Hong Hua) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these herbs when it is due to the invasion or accumulation of wind and dampness, which often affects the muscles and joints.
One such herb is Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatic fever, like Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatic fever, like Qing Luo Yin.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Lotus Leaves (He Ye), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatic fever, like Qing Luo Yin.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Stephania Roots (Fang Ji), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatic fever, like Xuan Bi Tang.
Herbs that nourish the Heart and calm the Spirit
Rheumatic fever can be treated by these herbs when it is linked to deficiencies in heart nourishment, addressing both physical and emotional imbalances.
One such herb is Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatic fever, like Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan.