What is Encephalitis?
Encephalitis is a serious medical condition characterized by inflammation of the brain, typically caused by infections or autoimmune responses. This condition can lead to symptoms such as fever, headache, confusion, seizures, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness or neurological damage. Subtypes of encephalitis include acute encephalitis and viral encephalitis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent long-term complications and improve outcomes. Encephalitis, also known as brain inflammation, can be a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
How Does TCM View Encephalitis?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), encephalitis is understood through patterns of disharmony within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on specific pathogens and inflammation, TCM considers the imbalances in Qi, Blood, and other vital substances. Symptoms like those seen in encephalitis can arise from various patterns of disharmony, making it crucial to identify the correct pattern before initiating treatment. This holistic approach aims to address the root causes of inflammation and restore balance within the body, providing comprehensive relief.
Causes of Encephalitis According to TCM
TCM attributes encephalitis to several potential patterns of disharmony. One common cause is Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency. This pattern arises when the Liver Blood is insufficient to nourish the body, leading to internal Wind that disrupts the brain. Symptoms might include severe headaches, dizziness, and convulsions.
Another potential cause is Heat in the Yang brightness Organs, where excessive Heat accumulates and causes intense fever, agitation, and delirium. This pattern often results from prolonged exposure to Heat or consumption of hot foods and alcohol, which exacerbate internal Heat and disrupt the body's balance. Recognizing these patterns helps TCM practitioners tailor treatments that address both the symptoms and their underlying causes, promoting holistic healing and balance.
For treating encephalitis, TCM uses specific formulas and herbs based on the identified patterns of disharmony. One effective formula for pacifying and extinguishing Internal Wind is E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, which includes Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao). This formula treats patterns like Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency.
Another recommended formula is Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, featuring Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao), which is used to address patterns such as Liver Yang Rising and Liver Wind due to extreme Heat. For purging Heat accumulation, Da Cheng Qi Tang, with Rhubarb (Da Huang) as a key herb, is effective for treating Yang Excess or Full Yang patterns. Finally, Su He Xiang Wan, containing Styrax (Su He Xiang), is used to treat Phlegm Misting the Heart, helping to warm and open sensory orifices.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address encephalitis, organized by formula type.
- Formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices
- Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
- Formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
- Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
- Formulas that purge heat accumulation
- Formulas that simultaneously attack and tonify
- Formulas that warm and open sensory orifices
- Formulas that release the exterior and clear the interior
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and resolve exterior
- External formulas for external disorders
- Formulas that clear heat and transform phlegm
Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices
Encephalitis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices if it is due to heat causing disturbances in sensory functions.
One such formula is Hui Chun Dan, with ox gallstone as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices" recommended for encephalitis
Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Encephalitis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity if it arises from heat toxins affecting the body.
One such formula is Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity" recommended for encephalitis
Formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind
Encephalitis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to internal wind, which is often associated with spasms, tremors, or dizziness.
One such formula is E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, with donkey-hide gelatin as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind" recommended for encephalitis
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Encephalitis 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.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear qi-level heat" recommended for encephalitis
Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat
Encephalitis 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 Gong Tang, with ningpo figwort root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat" recommended for encephalitis
Formulas that purge Heat accumulation
Encephalitis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from an excess of internal heat, needing actions that clear heat and reduce its intensity.
One such formula is Da Cheng Qi Tang, with rhubarb as a key herb.
Formulas that simultaneously attack and tonify
Encephalitis 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 warm and open sensory orifices
Encephalitis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold affecting the sensory orifices, requiring warming and opening actions.
One such formula is Su He Xiang Wan, with styrax resin as a key herb.
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior
Encephalitis 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 dispel Summer-Heat and resolve Exterior
Encephalitis can be treated by these formulas when there's an interaction of external summer heat with the body's surface, requiring remedies that clear heat and release the exterior.
One such formula is Xiang Ru San, with vietnamese balm as a key herb.
External formulas for External disorders
Encephalitis can be treated by these formulas if it is caused by external factors like wind, cold, or heat leading to symptoms on the body's surface.
One such formula is Yin Qiao San, with honeysuckle flowers as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and transform Phlegm
Encephalitis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and transform Phlegm if it is linked to heat leading to phlegm accumulation.
One such formula is Gun Tan Wan, with chlorite schist as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Encephalitis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address encephalitis, organized by herb category.
- Herbs that open the orifices
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that pacify internal liver wind and stop tremors
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that expel parasites
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Tonic herbs for yin deficiency
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Cool herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
Herbs that open the Orifices
Encephalitis can be treated by these herbs if it's a result of blockages in the body's sensory orifices, aiding in restoring clarity and consciousness.
One such herb is Musk (She Xiang),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like Su He Xiang Wan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that open the Orifices" recommended for encephalitis
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Encephalitis 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 Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like Yin Qiao San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for encephalitis
Herbs that cool the Blood
Encephalitis 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 encephalitis,
like Zhi Bao Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for encephalitis
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Encephalitis 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 encephalitis,
like Da Cheng Qi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Purgative herbs that drain downward" recommended for encephalitis
Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Encephalitis can be treated by these herbs when caused by internal wind from Liver disharmony, often manifesting in symptoms like spasms or tremors.
One such herb is Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors" recommended for encephalitis
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Encephalitis 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 encephalitis,
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 encephalitis
Herbs that expel parasites
Encephalitis can be treated by these herbs if it arises from parasitic infections, utilizing their properties to eliminate parasites from the body.
One such herb is Male Fern Rhizomes (Guan Zhong),
which is directly recommended for encephalitis.
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Encephalitis 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 Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang.
Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Encephalitis can be treated by these herbs when caused by a lack of Yin, which is essential for cooling and moistening the body, thereby restoring balance.
One such herb is Chicken Egg Yolks (Ji Zi Huang),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Encephalitis 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 Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Encephalitis 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 Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Encephalitis 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 Vietnamese Balm (Xiang Ru),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like Xiang Ru San.
Cool herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Encephalitis can be treated by these herbs when it is related to heat-phlegm accumulation, aiding in dissolving phlegm and soothing the respiratory system.
One such herb is Chlorite Schist (Meng Shi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for encephalitis,
like Gun Tan Wan.
