Inflammationaccording to TCM

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection, a protective mechanism aimed at removing harmful stimuli and initiating the healing process. This complex biological response can manifest through various symptoms such as redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function in the affected tissues. While inflammation is a crucial part of the body's defense system, chronic inflammation can lead to numerous health issues, including skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis, signaling an imbalance that requires attention.

How does TCM view Inflammation?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives inflammation differently from Western medicine, viewing it as a manifestation of imbalance within the body's Qi (vital energy), Blood, and organ systems. TCM identifies various patterns of disharmony, such as Damp-Heat, Toxic-Heat, and Blood Stagnation, as underlying causes of inflammation.

This approach emphasizes the significance of diagnosing the specific pattern contributing to the inflammation to effectively restore balance and harmony to the body. In TCM, understanding the root cause of inflammation is key to selecting the appropriate treatment strategy.

Root Causes of Inflammation in TCM

In TCM, inflammation is often attributed to the invasion of pathogenic factors like Wind, Dampness, Heat, and Cold, disrupting the natural balance of Qi and Blood. Among these, Damp-Heat and Wind-Heat are common patterns associated with inflammatory conditions. Damp-Heat can cause symptoms such as swelling, redness, and a sensation of heat in the affected area, reflecting an accumulation of Heat and Dampness in the body.

Wind-Heat, on the other hand, may manifest as rapid onset of inflammation, accompanied by fever and thirst. These patterns underscore the importance of addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying imbalances that lead to inflammation.

Explore below more details about what might cause Inflammation according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • Blood Deficiency
  • Wind
Detailed description of the cause

Blood Deficiency

Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more

Blood Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Inflammation

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Blood Deficiency with External Wind Contact dermatitis, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin... see more Dang Gui Yin Zi
Detailed description of the cause

Wind

In TCM "Wind" is a concept that represents a pattern of disharmony, often characterized by its sudden and unpredictable nature, much like a gusty wind changing direction without warning. This pattern is associated with symptoms that come and go quickly or move around the body, such as itching, tremors, or even certain types of pain. Wind is considered to be a primary cause of illnesses that have these rapidly changing characteristics. In TCM, external Wind often refers to illnesses that start suddenly, like the common cold, believed to be caused by external pathogenic factors like climatic changes. On the other hand, internal Wind can be linked to internal imbalances and can manifest in conditions like dizziness or spasms. ... see more

Wind Patterns That Can Lead to Inflammation

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Blood Deficiency with External Wind Contact dermatitis, Eczema, Red skin eruptions, Urticaria, Neurodermatitis, Ichthyosis, Psoriasis, Measles, Itchy skin, Hair loss, Carbuncles, Boils, Drug rash, Skin dryness, Itching worsen at nights, Flaking skin... see more Dang Gui Yin Zi

TCM Herbal Formulas for Inflammation

To treat inflammation, TCM recommends herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness and clear Heat and relieve Toxicity, tailored to the individual's specific pattern of disharmony. Garden Balsam Stems (Tou Gu Cao), with their Bitter, Pungent, and Cool properties, target the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver, making them effective against Blood Stagnation and Toxic Heat, as well as Damp-Wind and Damp-Heat conditions.

Another potent herb, Paris Rhizomes (Chong Lou), known for their Bitter and Cool nature, specifically addresses Toxic Heat and Internal Liver Wind, offering relief for inflammation by targeting the Liver. These herbs exemplify TCM's holistic approach, focusing on rebalancing the body's internal environment to alleviate the symptoms of inflammation.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address inflammation, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Blood Deficiency
  • Wind
  • External formulas for external disorders
  • Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind
  • Formulas that clear qi-level heat
  • Formulas that clear wind-Cold
  • Formulas that clear wind-Heat
  • Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness

All "formulas that dredge and disperse external wind" recommended for inflammation

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Dang Gui Yin Zi Blood Deficiency with External Wind
Xiao Feng San Not applicable

All "external formulas for external disorders" recommended for inflammation

Formula Patterns Suitable For (if applicable)
Jing Fang Bai Du San Not applicable
Ren Shen Bai Du San Not applicable
Ku Shen Tang Not applicable

TCM Herbs for Inflammation

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

  • By Herb Category
  • Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
  • Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
  • Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
  • Herbs that cool the blood
  • Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
  • Herbs that stabilize and bind
  • Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
  • Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
  • Herbs that drain dampness

"Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness" recommended for inflammation

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) Jing Fang Bai Du San | Ren Shen Bai Du San
Garden Balsam Stems (Tou Gu Cao) Not applicable

"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for inflammation

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Paris Rhizomes (Chong Lou) Not applicable

"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for inflammation

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye) Not applicable
Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) Not applicable

"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for inflammation

Herb Formulas they belong to (if applicable)
Greater Burdock Fruits (Niu Bang Zi) Xiao Feng San
Cicada Sloughs (Chan Tui) Xiao Feng San