Lupus 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.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and SLE redirect here
Lupus factsheet
Chinese name: 红斑狼疮
Pinyin name: Hóng Bān Láng Chuāng
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Fever Thirst Flushed face and six other symptoms
Recommended formula: Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
Symptoms: Loose stools Oedema of face Pale complexion and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Wu Ling San
Lupus, or SLE, is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks organs and connective tissues in many parts of the body.
It is characteristically difficult to diagnose because the symptoms could be due to many other conditions. They can include fatigue, anorexia, emaciation, arthralgia, low-grade fever and skin rashes (with a characteristic butterfly-like rash on the center of the face). Subsequent functional damage of multiple internal organs may occur as the disease progresses, with damage to the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems.
As you can see below we've detailed for you the three "patterns of disharmony" associated with lupus. 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 a Western condition, as a matter of fact here lupus can be explained by three different patterns.
Each of those patterns can be treated with one or several herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. It is the Chinese Medicine equivalent to drugs, apart that it's 100% natural!
In total we detail below three formulas that can help treat the various patterns that cause lupus, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with lupus
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the key herb for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Excess-Heat
Excess-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Tight (Jin), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
Recommended herbal formula: Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Symptoms: Fever Thirst Flushed face Irritability Constipation Red skin rashes Arthritic symptoms Scanty and dark urine Blotches dotted over the skin
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Wu Ling San
Symptoms: Loose stools Oedema of face Pale complexion Oedema of limbs Cold extremities Frequent urination Shortness of breath Abdominal distention and fullness
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the key herb for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Symptoms: Fatigue Insomnia Hair loss Joint pain Tidal fever Night sweats Irritability Red skin eruptions Hot palms and soles Waist pain and soreness
In this case Yin-Deficiency occurs when Pathological Heat has consumed Body Fluids and Yin. This in turn leads to Empty-Heat, that is Heat due to an absence of Yin (cold in nature) and therefore a relative surplus of Yang (hot in nature).
The three herbal formulas that might help with lupus
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with lupus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Excess-Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with lupus. If it looks like you might suffer from Excess-Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Why might Wu Ling San help with lupus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with lupus. If it looks like you might suffer from Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Why might Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang help with lupus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with lupus. If it looks like you might suffer from Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
