Chronic urticaria according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, chronic urticaria is sometimes associated with Yin and Blood Deficiency, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's chronic urticaria might be caused by the pattern Yin and Blood Deficiency, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from chronic urticaria alone. Indeed if chronic urticaria is caused by Yin and Blood Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as irritability, palpitations with anxiety, fatigue and insomnia with very restless sleep. Similarly, patients with Yin and Blood Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Yin and Blood Deficiency so that you can have a better understanding of where chronic urticaria might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below three formulas that can help treat Yin and Blood Deficiency.
Yin and Blood Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with chronic urticaria
Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) is the key herb for Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, a formula used for Yin and Blood Deficiency
Yin and Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Symptoms: Fatigue Dry stools Mouth sores Irritability Forgetfulness Palpitations with anxiety Insomnia with very restless sleep Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions Inability to think or concentrate for even short periods of time
Chronic urticaria might be due to Yin and Blood Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as irritability, palpitations with anxiety, fatigue and insomnia with very restless sleep. Similarly, patients with Yin and Blood Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
The three herbal formulas that might help with chronic urticaria
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Source date: 16th century
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Nourishes the Blood. Clears Heat. Calms the Mind.
Why might Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan help with chronic urticaria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Yin and Blood Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with chronic urticaria. If it looks like you might suffer from Yin and Blood Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Source date: 1180 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Qi. Warms and tonifies Blood.
Why might Shi Quan Da Bu Tang help with chronic urticaria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with chronic urticaria. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Gui Zhi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogens from the muscle layer. Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi.
Why might Gui Zhi Tang help with chronic urticaria?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with chronic urticaria. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
