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, varicose veins is sometimes associated with Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner, 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 varicose veins might be caused by the pattern Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from varicose veins alone. Indeed if varicose veins is caused by Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner, patients also experience symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, night fever, delirious speech and irritability. Similarly, patients with Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner typically exhibit choppy (Se) or full (Shi) pulses.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner so that you can have a better understanding of where varicose veins 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 Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner.
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Full (Shi)
Recommended herbal formula: Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Amenorrhea Night fever Irritability Dysmenorrhea Restlnessness Delirious speech Lower abdominal pain
Varicose veins might be due to Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, night fever, delirious speech and irritability. Similarly, patients with Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner typically exhibit choppy (Se) or full (Shi) pulses.
Read more about Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner here
The top herbs in Tao He Cheng Qi Tang are Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Rhubarb (Da Huang) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dispels Heat and. Eliminates Blood Stagnation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner, a pattern sometimes associated with varicose veins. If it looks like you might suffer from Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang are Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), Dong Quai (Dang Gui) and Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Invigorates Blood. Unblocks the channels.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with varicose veins. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Dang Gui Shao Yao San are White Peony Roots (Bai Shao), Water Plantain (Ze Xie) and Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Liver Blood. Spreads the Liver Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with varicose veins. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Lower abdominal pain Night fever Delirious speech Irritability Restlnessness Thirst Amenorrhea Dysmenorrhea