Herpes Zoster
AliasHerpes zoster
Traditional Chinese Medicine Definition
Herpes Zoster, known as "Shé Chuàn Chuāng" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is a common dermatological disease. According to the classical text "Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine," herpes zoster is often attributed to the stagnation of heat in the liver meridian, or due to emotional disturbances, qi stagnation, and blood stasis, leading to obstructed circulation of Qi and blood, and the accumulation of toxic pathogens in the skin. The primary location of the disease is in the liver meridian, involving the spleen and lung meridians as well.
In clinical practice of TCM, the core pathogenesis of herpes zoster is attributed to the stagnation of heat in the liver meridian or qi stagnation and blood stasis. Common precipitating factors include emotional disturbances, irregular diet, and excessive fatigue. During differentiation of symptoms, attention should be paid to the following key points: the heat stagnation in the liver meridian is characterized by red skin lesions, tense vesicle walls, and severe burning pain; while qi stagnation and blood stasis manifest as persistent pricking pain after the rash subsides. The direction of treatment suggests: for the heat stagnation in the liver meridian, clearing the liver and releasing heat, detoxifying and relieving pain should be prioritized; for qi stagnation and blood stasis, regulating qi and activating blood, and unblocking the meridians and relieving pain are recommended. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that the treatment of herpes zoster should be tailored to the specific syndrome type, combined with the patient's constitution, and adopt an integrated approach of internal and external treatment to promote the circulation of Qi and blood, eliminate toxic pathogens, and achieve the goal of alleviating symptoms and promoting recovery.
Common Syndrome Types and Key Points of Differentiation
Liver Channel Stagnation and Heat Syndrome
Main Manifestations: Erythematous skin lesions, tense vesicle walls, severe burning pain
Management Approach: Clear Liver and Drain Heat, Detoxify and Alleviate Pain
Stagnation and blood stasis
Main Manifestations: Local pruritus persists after the rash subsides
Management Approach: Regulate Qi and Activate Blood, Unblock Channels and Alleviate Pain
The above syndrome information is based on traditional Chinese medicine textbooks and clinical standards. Specific differentiation should be completed by a practicing traditional Chinese medicine physician in person.
Physician's Clinical Insights
For patients with herpes zoster, those with significant pain are often due to liver qi stagnation, and soothing the liver and resolving depression can alleviate symptoms.
— Zhu Yongbing Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
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This page is for the popular science of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Specific diagnosis should be completed by a licensed traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in person.
This article has been reviewed by licensed TCM physicians at Hangzhou Kezhentang TCM Clinic. It is for TCM popular science reference only and does not involve specific treatment plan recommendations.
References: Internal Medicine of TCM (13th Five-Year Plan Textbook), Diagnostic and Therapeutic Effectiveness Standards for TCM Diseases and Syndromes (ZY/T001.1-94), Classification and Codes of TCM Diseases and Syndromes (GB/T 15657-2021)