It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.

As such Bai Hu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.

But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:

Meningitis Scarlet fever Fever Diabetes Gingivitis Encephalitis B Influenza Typhoid Measles Dermatitis Periodontitis Stomatitis

Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Bai Hu Tang treats meningitis" for instance. Rather, Bai Hu Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind meningitis.

Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Bai Hu Tang.

The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine

Bright Yang Stomach Heat

Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu)

Symptoms: Red face Delirium High fever Irritability Intense thirst Feeling of heat Profuse sweating

Bai Hu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Bright Yang Stomach Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as high fever, profuse sweating, intense thirst and red face. Patients with Bright Yang Stomach Heat typically exhibit overflowing (Hong) or rapid (Shu) pulses.

Within the framework of the Six Stages theory, this is one of the two patterns of the Bright Yang stage (the second of the six stages). Within the Four Levels theory, this is one of the five patterns of the Qi level (the second of the four levels).

It corresponds to a penetration of an External... read more about Bright Yang Stomach Heat

'Heat' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Heat pattern in Chinese Medicine

Toxic-Heat

Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)

Tongue coating: Yellow coating

Tongue color: Red

Symptoms: Pus Fever Boils Sores Eczema Thirst Pustule Coughing Erythema Swellings Carbuncles Dark Urine Sore throat Mouth ulcers Constipation Abdominal pain Swollen tonsils Feeling of heat Lower back pain Perineum swollen Prostate swollen Testicle swollen Red skin eruptions Shortness of breath Yellow vaginal discharge Smelly Vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Bloody vaginal discharge Five colour vaginal discharge

Bai Hu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Toxic-Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fever, swellings, pus and boils. Patients with Toxic-Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) pulses as well as Red tongue with yellow coating.

There are two types of Toxic-Heat. One type is called Toxic-Heat Stagnation, which mainly happens in Channels or other surfaces like skins, throat, lymph or mouth. The symptoms include pain, redness and swollen in throat as well as skin pustule and rush. Acne during teenage time is mainly due to... read more about Toxic-Heat