Skin Burnsaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Burns and Scalds
Sub-symptom(s): Minor Burns Fire Burns Burn Infection Scald
What is Skin Burns?
Skin burns are acute injuries to the skin caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation. Commonly known as burns, these injuries are characterized by severe skin damage that causes the affected cells to die.
Depending on the severity, burns can result in anything from minor redness and soreness (minor burns) to significant blisters, charred skin (fire burns), infections (burn infection), or damage from hot liquids (scald). Proper assessment and treatment are crucial for healing and minimizing long-term effects.
How does TCM view Skin Burns?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets skin burns as a disturbance to the body's natural balance, primarily involving an excess of Heat. TCM practitioners believe that burns consume Qi and Body Fluids, creating a disharmony that impairs the flow of Qi and Blood.
Restoring balance requires clearing Heat, supporting the Body's Yin to combat Dryness, and promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood to the affected area.
Causes of Skin Burns According to TCM
In TCM, skin burns are often attributed to an imbalance caused by Heat invading the body's interior and exterior layers, leading to Qi And Blood Stagnation. This invasion consumes the Yin and Fluids, creating Dryness and Heat that damage the skin and underlying tissues.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Skin Burns
TCM advocates the use of specific formulas to treat the varied presentations of skin burns. One such formula is Qi Li San, which is tailored to address Qi And Blood Stagnation, a common pattern observed in burn cases.
This formula, chosen based on the individual's unique symptoms and constitution, works to invigorate the Blood and ensure the free flow of Qi, helping to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. By customizing herbal treatments, TCM practitioners aim to support the body's healing process while mitigating the potential for scarring and infection.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address skin burns, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- External formulas for external disorders
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Skin burns can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Qi Li San
External formulas for External disorders
Skin burns 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 Zi Dang Gao, with lithospermum root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Skin Burns
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address skin burns, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs for external application
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that stop bleeding
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Cool herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Laxative herbs that drain downward
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Tonic herbs for yin deficiency
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
Herbs for external application
Skin burns can be treated by these herbs when the condition is external or superficial, requiring topical treatment to alleviate symptoms or heal the affected area.
One such herb is Beeswax (Feng La), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs for external application" recommended for skin burns
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Beeswax (Feng La) | Not applicable |
| Minium (Qian Dan) | Not applicable |
| Propolis (Feng Jiao) | Not applicable |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Skin burns 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 Diverse Wormwood Herbs (Liu Ji Nu), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for skin burns
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Diverse Wormwood Herbs (Liu Ji Nu) | Not applicable |
| Rhodiola Roots (Hong Jing Tian) | Not applicable |
| Shiny-Leaf Prickly-Ash (Liang Mian Zhen) | Not applicable |
Herbs that stop bleeding
Skin burns can be treated by these herbs in cases where it is due to internal or external bleeding, working to stabilize and constrict blood flow.
One such herb is Biota Twigs And Leaves (Ce Bo Ye), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that stop bleeding" recommended for skin burns
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Biota Twigs And Leaves (Ce Bo Ye) | Not applicable |
| Sanguisorba Roots (Di yu) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Skin burns 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 Lithospermum Roots (Zi Cao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin burns, like Zi Dang Gao.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for skin burns
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Lithospermum Roots (Zi Cao) | Zi Dang Gao |
| Castor Beans (Bi Ma Zi) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Skin burns 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 Calcitum (Han Shui Shi), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Cool herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Skin burns 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 Clam Shells (Ha Ke), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Skin burns can be treated by these herbs when it is due to the invasion or accumulation of wind and dampness, which often affects the muscles and joints.
One such herb is Garden Balsam Stems (Tou Gu Cao), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Skin burns 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 Gold Coin Herb (Jin Qian Cao), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Skin burns 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 Hibiscus Leaves (Fu Rong Ye), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Laxative herbs that drain downward
Skin burns can be treated by these herbs when there's a need for a milder form of bowel movement to alleviate constipation and regulate digestion.
One such herb is Honey (Feng Mi), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Skin burns 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), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Skin burns 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), which is directly recommended for skin burns.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Skin burns can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is Dong Quai (Dang Gui), a key herb in some formulas recommended for skin burns, like Zi Dang Gao.