Cirrhosisaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Cirrhosis and Related Symptoms, Alcohol-Related Conditions
What is Cirrhosis?
Cirrhosis is the late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. The liver, vital for detoxifying harmful substances, aiding in digestion, and storing energy, becomes increasingly damaged over time with cirrhosis. This damage is irreversible and can lead to liver failure and other complications, including liver cancer. Early stages may be asymptomatic, but as the condition progresses, symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, and bruising easily may develop, indicating significant liver function impairment.
How Does TCM View Cirrhosis?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a "pattern" is a theoretical framework that encapsulates the state of disharmony in the body, encompassing not just physical symptoms but also emotional and environmental factors. Recognizing the pattern is crucial, as it underpins the entire treatment process, directing the practitioner to the most appropriate therapeutic methods and herbal prescriptions.
Addressing the specific pattern in TCM is vital because it tailors the treatment to the individual, targeting not only the manifesting symptoms of cirrhosis but also the underlying imbalance that led to the condition.
Causes of Cirrhosis According to TCM
In the TCM framework, cirrhosis is often attributed to a combination of factors that lead to the disruption of liver function, such as Liver Qi Stagnation, resulting from emotional stress and leading to the disruption of liver function, and Blood Stasis, which refers to the impaired circulation within the Liver. These conditions can be exacerbated by the presence of Dampness and Heat, further complicating the Liver's ability to perform its detoxifying roles.
Recognizing these patterns allows TCM practitioners to develop targeted treatments aimed at not only alleviating symptoms but also addressing the root causes of cirrhosis, promoting a more comprehensive healing process.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Cirrhosis
To counteract the complex patterns associated with cirrhosis, TCM employs a range of herbal formulas designed to nourish Yin, invigorate Blood, dispel Stagnation, and transform Dampness. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, featuring Prepared Rehmannia, is pivotal in treating Blood Deficiency and Yin Deficiency, replenishing the liver's vital substances.
For Blood Stagnation, Xuan Fu Hua Tang and Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan are used to invigorate blood flow and remove stasis. In cases of Damp-Cold and Yang Deficiency, Fu Zi Tang and Si Ni Tang warm the body and strengthen Yang, addressing the cold and dampness impairing liver function. These formulas underscore TCM's holistic approach to treating cirrhosis, emphasizing the restoration of balance and the strengthening of the liver's natural regenerative capacities.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address cirrhosis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that vent membrane source
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that rescue devastated yang
- Formulas that expel dampness
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas when it arises from a deficiency in Yin energy, needing nourishment and strengthening of the body's vital essence.
One such formula is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that nourish yin and tonify" recommended for cirrhosis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) |
| Yi Guan Jian |
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Cirrhosis 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 Xuan Fu Hua Tang, with inula flower as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation" recommended for cirrhosis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Xuan Fu Hua Tang | Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua) |
| Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan | Rhubarb (Da Huang), Ground Beetles (Tu Bie Chong) |
Formulas that vent membrane source
Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas if it results from blockages in the body, often manifested as masses or lumps, needing actions that open and resolve these obstructions.
One such formula is Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.
One such formula is Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that rescue devastated Yang
Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas if it is a result of a severe depletion or collapse of Yang energy, requiring urgent restoration and warming actions.
One such formula is Si Ni Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Formulas that expel Dampness
Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas in cases where dampness obstructs the body's normal functions, necessitating herbs that specifically target and expel dampness.
One such formula is Wei Ling Tang, with water plantain as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Xiao Qing Long Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen
Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas when there's an imbalance between the Liver and Spleen systems, often manifesting as digestive disturbances and emotional fluctuations.
One such formula is Xiao Yao San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Cirrhosis 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 Yin Chen Hao Tang, with virgate wormwood as a key herb.
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Cirrhosis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Cirrhosis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address cirrhosis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Cirrhosis 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 Dandelions (Pu Gong Ying), which is directly recommended for cirrhosis.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for cirrhosis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Dandelions (Pu Gong Ying) | Not applicable |
| Milk Thistle Seeds (Shui Fei Ji) | Not applicable |
| Chinese Lobelia Herbs (Ban Bian Lian) | Not applicable |
| Selanginella Herbs (Shi shang Bai) | Not applicable |
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Cirrhosis 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 cirrhosis, like Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for cirrhosis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang |
| Maltose (Yi Tang) | Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang |
| Jiaogulan (Jiao Gu Lan) | Not applicable |
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Cirrhosis 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 Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for cirrhosis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) | Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
| Ephedra (Ma Huang) | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
Herbs that drain Dampness
Cirrhosis 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 Water Plantain (Ze Xie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Wei Ling Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for cirrhosis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Water Plantain (Ze Xie) | Wei Ling Tang |
| Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) | Yin Chen Hao Tang |
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Cirrhosis 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 Barbat Skullcap Herb (Ban Zhi Lian), which is directly recommended for cirrhosis.
Herbs that regulate Qi
Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Green Tangerine Peel (Qing Pi), which is directly recommended for cirrhosis.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Fu Zi Tang.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Cirrhosis 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 Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Wei Ling Tang.
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Xuan Fu Hua Tang.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Cirrhosis can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan.
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Cirrhosis 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 Ground Beetles (Tu Bie Chong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cirrhosis, like Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan.