Brucellosisaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Infectious Diseases, Bacterial Infections
What is Brucellosis?
Brucellosis, also known as Malta fever or Mediterranean fever, is a bacterial infection primarily transmitted from animals to humans. This disease can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, sweats, malaise, anorexia, headache, and muscle pain.
In severe cases, it can affect various organs and cause chronic symptoms. Brucellosis is a significant health concern, particularly in areas where animal husbandry practices expose humans to infected animals or their products.
How Does TCM View Brucellosis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives brucellosis not just as a bacterial infection, but as a manifestation of underlying imbalances in the body's vital energies. In TCM, diseases like brucellosis are believed to arise from disharmonies within the body's Qi (vital energy), Yin and Yang, and the balance between the body and its environment.
The treatment focuses on restoring balance and strengthening the body's defensive mechanisms, emphasizing the identification of individual patterns of disharmony to effectively address the symptoms.
Causes of Brucellosis According to TCM
In TCM, brucellosis is often associated with patterns of imbalance such as Dampness in the body. This perspective sees the symptoms of brucellosis as the result of these pathological elements disturbing the normal function of organs, especially the Spleen, Liver, and Gallbladder.
The focus in TCM is on identifying the specific pattern - whether it is Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder and treating these root causes, rather than merely addressing the symptoms.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Brucellosis
TCM offers a variety of herbal formulas to treat brucellosis, focusing on the underlying patterns identified. One such formula is San Ren Tang, which is commonly used to treat Dampness in the Gallbladder. This formula, containing Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren), works on the principle of clearing Heat and expelling Dampness, which aligns with the symptoms of brucellosis.
The selection of a specific formula and herbs depends on the individual's pattern of disharmony, ensuring a personalized treatment approach. These formulas aim to restore balance, strengthen the body's resistance, and alleviate the symptoms associated with brucellosis.
See more details below about San Ren Tang, a herbal formula used to address brucellosis.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Brucellosis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is San Ren Tang, with apricot seed as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Brucellosis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address brucellosis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Herbs that drain dampness
Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Brucellosis can be treated by these herbs when it originates from obstructions in the lung pathways, helping to ease respiratory discomfort and restore normal breathing.
One such herb is Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for brucellosis, like San Ren Tang.
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Brucellosis can be treated by these herbs if it stems from damp accumulation, especially in the digestive system, using aromatic properties to transform and dispel dampness.
One such herb is Cardamon Fruits (Bai Dou Kou), a key herb in some formulas recommended for brucellosis, like San Ren Tang.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Brucellosis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for brucellosis, like San Ren Tang.