Typhoid And Paratyphoid Feveraccording to TCM
Symptom family: Fever and Temperature-Related Conditions
Parent symptom: Fever
What is typhoid and paratyphoid fever?
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever, collectively known as enteric fever, are serious bacterial infections caused by Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi respectively. These infections are typically transmitted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms include prolonged high fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhea. In severe cases, complications such as intestinal perforation can occur, making timely diagnosis and treatment crucial.
How does TCM view typhoid and paratyphoid fever?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), typhoid and paratyphoid fever are viewed through the concept of patterns of disharmony within the body's energy systems. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on the bacterial cause, TCM looks at the underlying imbalances that allow such infections to take hold. Identifying the correct pattern of disharmony is essential for effective treatment, as symptoms can result from various internal and external factors.
Causes of typhoid and paratyphoid fever according to TCM
One common cause of typhoid and paratyphoid fever in TCM is Damp-Heat or Toxic-Heat. This pattern is characterized by symptoms such as high fever, severe thirst, irritability, abdominal pain, and a sensation of heaviness in the body. These symptoms indicate that pathogenic Heat has combined with Dampness, leading to an intense internal heat that disrupts the body's balance. For instance, a patient with Damp-Heat and Toxic-Heat might present with a thick, greasy tongue coating and a rapid, slippery pulse, which are signs of excess pathogenic factors overwhelming the body.
Another cause is Damp-Heat invading the Spleen. This pattern presents with symptoms like persistent fever, digestive issues such as nausea or vomiting, and a thick, greasy tongue coating. The Spleen's function is compromised, leading to the accumulation of Damp-Heat, which manifests as fever and gastrointestinal disturbances. In this scenario, the body's inability to properly transform and transport fluids results in dampness that combines with Heat, causing symptoms that are both digestive and febrile in nature.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Typhoid And Paratyphoid Fever
For cases where Damp-Heat affects the Gallbladder, San Ren Tang with Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren) is beneficial. It helps to clear Dampness and alleviate symptoms such as fever and a heavy sensation in the body. Da Chai Hu Tang, featuring Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), addresses patterns like Liver Yang Rising, which presents with fever, irritability, and a bitter taste in the mouth.
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, with Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen), treats Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine, alleviating symptoms like persistent fever and abdominal pain. For severe cases requiring both Heat clearing and energy tonification, Huang Long Tang with Rhubarb (Da Huang) is effective. This formula not only clears Heat but also supports the body’s Qi. Bai Hu Tang, which includes Gypsum (Shi Gao), is recommended for Bright Yang Stomach Heat, characterized by high fever and thirst.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address typhoid and paratyphoid fever, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that release the exterior and purge the interior
- Formulas that release the exterior and clear the interior
- Formulas that simultaneously attack and tonify
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
- Formulas that harmonize lesser yang-warp disorders
- Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever 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 Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, with baikal skullcap root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness" recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever
Formulas that release the Exterior and purge the Interior
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever can be treated by these formulas if it is due to external pathogens combined with internal accumulation, needing actions that address both aspects.
One such formula is Da Chai Hu Tang, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever can be treated by these formulas when it arises from external pathogenic factors affecting the body's surface, coupled with internal disharmony.
One such formula is Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, with kudzu root as a key herb.
Formulas that simultaneously attack and tonify
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever can be treated by these formulas if it results from a combination of deficiency and excess conditions, needing both tonification and purging actions.
One such formula is Huang Long Tang, with rhubarb as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever can be treated by these formulas when it results from an intense heat condition at the qi level, affecting the body's energy flow.
One such formula is Bai Hu Tang, with gypsum as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever can be treated by these formulas in cases of imbalances in the lesser Yang (Shao Yang) phase, which often involve alternating hot and cold sensations.
One such formula is Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang, with sweet wormwood herb as a key herb.
Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever can be treated by these formulas if it arises from heat trapped at the nutritive level of the body, affecting deeper tissues.
One such formula is Qing Ying Tang, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Typhoid And Paratyphoid Fever
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address typhoid and paratyphoid fever, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Herbs that drain Dampness
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever 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 Talc (Hua Shi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever, like Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Talc (Hua Shi) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan |
| Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan |
| Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren) | San Ren Tang |
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever 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 typhoid and paratyphoid fever, like Da Chai Hu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) | Da Chai Hu Tang |
| Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen) | Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang |
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever 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 typhoid and paratyphoid fever, like Da Chai Hu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Purgative herbs that drain downward" recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Rhubarb (Da Huang) | Da Chai Hu Tang | Huang Long Tang |
| Mirabilites (Mang Xiao) | Huang Long Tang |
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Typhoid and paratyphoid 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 Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin), a key herb in some formulas recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever, like Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) | Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan | Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang |
| Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) | Lian Po Yin |
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever 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 Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever, like Lian Po Yin.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness" recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) | Lian Po Yin |
| Cardamon Fruits (Bai Dou Kou) | San Ren Tang |
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Typhoid and paratyphoid 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 Gypsum (Shi Gao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever, like Bai Hu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat" recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Gypsum (Shi Gao) | Bai Hu Tang |
| Sweet Wormwood Herbs (Qing Hao) | Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang |
Herbs that cool the Blood
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for typhoid and paratyphoid fever, like Qing Ying Tang.
Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever 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 typhoid and paratyphoid fever, like San Ren Tang.