Treatment of Urticaria, January 2, 1978

Treatment of Urticaria, January 2, 1978

In traditional Chinese medicine, urticaria is referred to as “yin liu,” “feng zhen kuai,” or “yin zhen.” Its main characteristic is “itching,” which is often accompanied by wind, so this condition is mostly classified as a wind-related illness. Wind is mobile and constantly changing, which aligns with the sudden onset and subsidence of urticaria. Since this condition falls under the category of wind-related illnesses, and wind itself can be divided into wind-cold and wind-heat, urticaria is further categorized into wind-cold and wind-heat types. In addition to these two categories, the large intestine and lungs are mutually related; when wind pathogens invade the surface, they can easily penetrate deep into the body, reaching the large intestine—this is what is known as intestinal wind. Wind belongs to the wood element, characterized by openness and a tendency to disperse; if the gastrointestinal tract’s ascending and descending functions are disrupted, wind cannot be properly dispersed, leading to intestinal wind. When the Yangming meridian becomes blocked and the organ qi is stagnant, intestinal wind loses its ability to disperse and suddenly manifests as urticaria. This is the third type following the previously mentioned wind-cold and wind-heat categories—the gastrointestinal blockage type.

In summary, urticaria can be divided into three types: wind-cold, wind-heat, and gastrointestinal blockage. The main treatment methods for each type are: wind-cold—dispel wind-cold; wind-heat—dispel wind-heat; gastrointestinal blockage—clear downward flow and dispel wind.

For the wind-cold type, the main prescription is: Sheng Di Huang, Chi Shao, Chuan Xiong, Jing Jie, Fu Ping, Huang Qi, Niubang Zi, Fang Feng, Qiang Huo, Ji Geng, Hong Hua. Mnemonic: Wu Gui Jing Ping Huang Niu Feng, Qiang Huo Hong Hua Zhi Yang Ling (Wu Gui refers to the Four Substances Decoction minus Dang Gui).

For the wind-heat type, the main prescription is: Sheng Di Huang, Chuan Xiong, Chi Shao, Danshen, Fu Ping, Da Huang, Niubang Zi, Fang Feng, Bai Zhu, Chan Tui, Hang Ju, Di Fu Zi. Mnemonic: Wu Gui Dan Ping Huang Niu Feng, Hang Di Bai Yi Zhi Yang Ling.

For the gastrointestinal blockage type, the main prescription is: Fang Feng Tong Sheng San: Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Hua Shi, Ma Huang, Bai Zhi, Ji Geng, Da Huang, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Chi Shao, Cang Zhu, Hou Pu, Chen Pi, Ban Xia, Fu Ling, Mang Xiao, Huang Qin, Lian Qiao, Shan Zhi, Bo He, Gan Cao. Mnemonic: Jing Fang Hua Shi Ma Bai Ji, Wu Di Ping Chen Liang Ge San (Wu Di refers to the Four Substances Decoction minus Sheng Di Huang).