Green Snake Venom
Qingshedu (Green Snake Toxin) is a thrombotic, inflammatory condition affecting the superficial veins of the limbs. It is characterized by raised, cord-like superficial veins that are red, worm-like in appearance, firm, and painful. It occurs most often in young and middle-aged adults, usually in the limbs and less often in the chest or abdominal wall. It is a common condition that is not associated with a particular season and can affect people of any sex. In Western medicine, it corresponds to superficial thrombophlebitis.
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Treatment Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
The affected limb is swollen and warm, with red skin and distending pain. The person prefers cool temperatures and dislikes heat. A cord-like mass may be present. Mild chills and fever may also occur. The tongue coating is yellow and greasy, or thick and greasy; the pulse is slippery and rapid.
Plain-Language Explanation:
- The affected limb may become swollen and warm.
- The skin may become red and feel distended and painful.
- The person may prefer cool temperatures and feel more comfortable when cool.
- A cord-like firm area may be felt locally.
- Mild chills and fever may occur together.
- The tongue coating may be yellow and greasy, or appear thick and greasy.
- The pulse may feel slippery and rapid.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Clear heat, drain dampness, resolve toxins, and unblock the channels.
Plain-Language Explanation:
- In TCM, this approach aims to clear internal heat and promote the removal of dampness, which may help address symptoms such as fever, thirst, a heavy feeling in the body, or difficulty urinating.
- It aims to dispel pathogenic factors and unblock the channels, which may help address discomfort such as red, swollen sores, limb numbness, or pain that pulls or radiates.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
The affected limb is painful and swollen, with reddish-purple skin; symptoms worsen after activity. Compression of the calf causes stabbing pain. A cord-like mass may be present and feel pliable or taut like a bowstring when pressed. The tongue may have purple spots or patches of blood stasis; the pulse is deep and fine, or deep and choppy.
Plain-Language Explanation:
- The affected limb may be painful and swollen, and the skin may look reddish-purple. Symptoms may worsen after activity.
- Squeezing the calf may cause a stabbing pain.
- A cord-like firm area may be visible or palpable, feeling pliable or taut like a bowstring when pressed.
- Purple spots or patches of blood stasis may be visible on the tongue.
- The pulse may feel deep and fine, or deep and choppy.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Invigorate blood and dispel stasis; move qi and dissipate masses.
Plain-Language Explanation:
- In TCM, this approach aims to promote blood flow and address blood stasis, which may help with symptoms such as pain, bruising, or menstrual irregularity.
- It aims to regulate the flow of qi and disperse masses, which may help address discomfort such as distension in the chest or flanks, abdominal fullness or masses, or other lumps in the body.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical Description:
A fixed, cord-like mass is present on the chest or abdominal wall, with stabbing, distending, or pulling pain. This may be accompanied by chest tightness, belching, and other symptoms. The tongue is pale red or has purple spots or patches of blood stasis; the coating is thin; the pulse is wiry or wiry and choppy.
Plain-Language Explanation:
- A cord-like firm area may be visible on the chest or abdominal wall and remain fixed in place.
- There may be localized stabbing or distending pain, sometimes with pain that pulls or spreads.
- A feeling of tightness or discomfort in the chest may also occur.
- Belching may occur frequently.
- The tongue may be pale red, with purple spots or patches on its surface.
- The tongue coating is thin rather than thick.
- The pulse may feel taut, or taut with a choppy quality.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical Description:
Soothe the liver and resolve constraint; invigorate blood and resolve toxins.
Plain-Language Explanation:
- In TCM, this approach aims to soothe liver qi and ease constraint, which may help address discomfort such as fullness in the chest or flanks, low mood, or frequent sighing.
- It aims to promote blood flow and dispel pathogenic factors, which may help address symptoms such as bruising, red and swollen sores, or a sore, swollen throat.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a physician or pharmacist.
References
- Yu Haiyuan, Zhang Yue. A review of recent developments in TCM treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis [C]//Proceedings of the Sixth Academic Conference of the Peripheral Vascular Disease Branch of the China Association of Chinese Medicine. 2014.
- Han Shuming. Clinical analysis of integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment for superficial thrombophlebitis [J]. Chinese Journal of Surgery of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 2001(2): 33–34.
- Wang Xiaofei. Sixty-five cases of superficial thrombophlebitis treated with oral Jiedu Huayu Decoction and a topical formula [J]. Shaanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2006(12): 1517–1518.