Sepsisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Vascular and Blood Disorders
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by the body's overwhelming and extreme response to an infection. It occurs when chemicals released into the bloodstream to fight an infection trigger inflammatory responses throughout the body. This inflammation can lead to a cascade of changes that can damage multiple organ systems, causing them to fail. If not recognized early and managed promptly, sepsis can lead to septic shock, a drastic drop in blood pressure that can result in death. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent severe complications and improve survival rates.
How does TCM view sepsis?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), sepsis is viewed through the lens of patterns of disharmony, a core concept in diagnosing and treating illness. A pattern is a comprehensive snapshot of the disharmony affecting an individual at a particular time, encompassing both the symptoms and the underlying imbalance. Identifying the correct pattern is crucial because treatment in TCM is tailored to these specific patterns, ensuring that therapy addresses the root causes of the condition rather than just the superficial symptoms.
Causes of sepsis according to TCM
In TCM, sepsis is often associated with the patterns of Toxic-Heat and Heat in the Blood. Toxic-Heat is seen as an aggressive form of energy that significantly disturbs the body's equilibrium, leading to high fever, inflammation, and multiple organ dysfunction.
Heat in the Blood specifically refers to the condition where this Heat leads to disruptions within the circulatory system, manifesting as hemorrhages, rashes, and delirium. These conditions highlight the severity of the internal Heat and the need for interventions that target these specific TCM patterns to effectively manage and treat sepsis.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Sepsis
To address the complex challenges of sepsis, TCM employs formulas designed to clear Heat and resolve toxicity, directly targeting the patterns of Toxic-Heat and Heat in the Blood. Among the most effective of these is Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, which features Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian), known for their strong, cold properties that help cool the body and clear Toxins.
Additionally, formulations like Qing Ying Tang and Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, which include ingredients such as Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), are crucial for their capacity to cool the Blood and reduce inflammation, addressing the deeper aspects of Heat affecting the bloodstream. These formulas are selected based on a thorough TCM diagnostic process, ensuring a personalized treatment approach that aligns with the specific disharmonies identified in each patient.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address sepsis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
- Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices
Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Sepsis 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 sepsis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang | Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) |
| Huang Lian Jie Du Tang | Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) |
| Qing Wen Bai Du Yin | Gypsum (Shi Gao), Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu) |
Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat
Sepsis 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 sepsis
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Sepsis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Da Qing Long Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices
Sepsis 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.
TCM Herbs for Sepsis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address sepsis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that open the orifices
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Sepsis 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 sepsis, like Qing Wen Bai Du Yin.
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 sepsis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Gypsum (Shi Gao) | Qing Wen Bai Du Yin |
| Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu) | Qing Wen Bai Du Yin |
| Climbing Groundsel Herbs (Qian Li Guang) | Not applicable |
Herbs that cool the Blood
Sepsis 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 sepsis, like Qing Gong Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that cool the Blood" recommended for sepsis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) | Qing Gong Tang | Qing Ying Tang | Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang |
| Ox Gallstones (Niu Huang) | Hui Chun Dan |
| Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen) | Qing Gong Tang |
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Sepsis 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 Ephedra (Ma Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for sepsis, like Da Qing Long Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Sepsis 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 sepsis, like Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang.
Herbs that open the Orifices
Sepsis 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 sepsis, like Hui Chun Dan.