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.
Tidal fever 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 tidal fever 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 tidal fever is often associated with night sweats, irritability and fatigue in the pattern “Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause tidal fever.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of tidal fever 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 tidal fever.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause tidal fever
In Chinese Medicine tidal fever is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the king ingredient for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
When Yin Deficiency lasts for a long it may lead to Interior Heat
In addition to tidal fever, other symptoms associated with Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency include night sweats, irritability and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Lupus.
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Softshell Turtle Shells - Bie Jia - as a key herb). Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from deficiency", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin and clears Heat".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat
In addition to tidal fever, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat include irritability, spontaneous sweating and red eyes.
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat is often treated with Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Jia Wei Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation".
Read more about Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat here
Two herbal formulas that might help with tidal fever
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Why might Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang help with tidal fever?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency' of which tidal fever is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Lupus.
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 tidal fever?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat' of which tidal fever is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Qi Stagnation With Spleen Qi Deficiency That Transforms Into Heat include irritability, spontaneous sweating and red eyes.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat tidal fever
Why might Softshell Turtle Shell (Bie Jia) help with tidal fever?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat tidal fever and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat tidal fever as a symptom (such as Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang for instance).
Softshell Turtle Shells is a Neutral herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes Yin and subdues exuberant Yang. Resolves hardness.
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with tidal fever?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat tidal fever as a symptom, like Qing Hao Bie Jia 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 Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with tidal fever?
Because it is a key herb in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat' (a pattern with tidal fever as a symptom)
Bupleurum Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang.
Why might Sweet Wormwood Herb (Qing Hao) help with tidal fever?
Because it is a key herb in Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with tidal fever as a symptom)
Sweet Wormwood Herbs is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Treats malaria. Treats summer Heat and clears symptoms of deficient Heat. Clears Blood Heat and stops bleeding.
Why might Human Placenta (Zi He Che) help with tidal fever?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat tidal fever as can be seen on Human Placenta's page.
Human Placentas is a Warm herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys and assists the Essence. Tonifies the Qi and Blood.
Conditions associated with tidal fever
Other symptoms often associated with tidal fever
Night sweats Irritability Constipation Fatigue Dry throat Infertility Impotence Tinnitus Seminal emission Vertigo