Insect Bitesaccording to TCM

What are insect bites?

Insect bites occur when an insect punctures the skin to feed on blood or to defend itself. Common culprits include mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, bedbugs, and spiders. These bites can result in a variety of reactions, from mild irritation and itching to severe allergic reactions and infections. The immediate symptoms usually include redness, swelling, and pain or itching at the site of the bite. In some cases, insect bites can lead to more serious complications, such as secondary infections or allergic reactions requiring medical attention.

How does TCM view insect bites?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views insect bites as disturbances that disrupt the body's balance, often resulting from external pathogenic factors. In TCM, symptoms like swelling, redness, and itching are seen as manifestations of disharmony in the body's Qi and Blood. TCM emphasizes the importance of identifying the specific pattern of disharmony to provide effective treatment. Unlike Western medicine, which primarily focuses on symptomatic relief, TCM aims to restore overall balance and harmony within the body.

Causes of insect bites according to TCM

In TCM, insect bites are often linked to patterns such as Blood Stagnation, Toxic-Heat or Wind-Phlegm. Blood Stagnation can occur when the blood flow is obstructed, leading to symptoms like swelling, pain, and dark discoloration around the bite area. Toxic-Heat, on the other hand, refers to the presence of Toxic-Heat in the body, which can result from the venom or irritants in the insect's bite, causing redness, intense itching, and inflammation.

Wind-Phlegm is another pattern where Wind and Phlegm combine, often leading to symptoms like itching and the formation of nodules or lumps at the site of the bite. Understanding these patterns is crucial for selecting the appropriate treatment in TCM.

TCM Herbal Formulas for Insect Bites

To treat insect bites, TCM employs a variety of herbs tailored to address specific patterns of disharmony. For Blood Stagnation, Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi) is commonly used. This herb is Bitter, Sweet, and Warm, targeting the Spleen and Liver to invigorate Blood flow and alleviate pain and swelling. For cases of Toxic-Heat, Catclaw Buttercup Roots (Mao Zhao Cao) is effective. This Pungent, Sweet, and Warm herb targets the Liver and Lung, helping to clear Heat and reduce Toxicity.

In situations involving Wind-Phlegm, Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing) is recommended. This Bitter, Pungent, and Warm herb addresses Wind and Phlegm accumulation, easing itching and reducing nodule formation. These herbs can be applied individually or in combination, depending on the specific pattern of disharmony presented by the insect bite, ensuring targeted relief and healing.

See more details below about Er Qing Gao, a herbal formula used to address insect bites.

TCM Herbs for Insect Bites

Explore below some TCM herbs used to address insect bites, organized by herb category.