Bell's Palsy - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Bell’s Palsy · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Head

Pattern Overview

Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in Bell’s palsy, characterized by slow facial nerve regeneration, delayed Wallerian degeneration recovery, fatigue, poor healing, and pale complexion. The core pathogenesis is Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the facial nerve, leading to slow nerve regeneration and delayed recovery.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Slow facial nerve recovery, persistent paralysis, fatigue |

| Associated Symptoms | Pale complexion, shortness of breath, palpitations, poor appetite |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale tongue with thin white coating, thready and weak pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Qi-Blood deficiency failing to nourish the facial nerve |

| Etiology | Chronic illness, poor nutrition, postpartum weakness, aging, prolonged recovery |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Zusanli (ST36) | 3 cun below the patella, 1 finger-width lateral to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi and Blood |

| Pishu (BL20) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 | Back-Shu point of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen-Qi |

| Qihai (RN6) | 1.5 cun below the umbilicus | Tonifies Qi and strengthens the body |

| Yangbai (GB14) | On the forehead, 1 cun above the midpoint of the eyebrow | Treats inability to close the eye |

| Dicang (ST4) | About 0.4 cun lateral to the corner of the mouth | Treats deviation of the mouth |

| Hegu (LI4) | Dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals | Regulates Qi and unblocks collaterals |

Clinical Recommendation: Filament needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be applied to Zusanli and Qihai to warm and tonify Qi and Blood.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (补中益气汤) + Qian Zheng San (牵正散)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Angelica (Dang Gui), Cimicifuga (Sheng Ma), Bupleurum (Chai Hu), White Aconite (Bai Fu Zi), Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiang Can), Scorpion (Quan Xie), Licorice (Gan Cao)

Action: Supplements Qi and Blood, lifts Yang, and unblocks collaterals.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |

| Slow recovery | Add Dang Gui, Shu Di to nourish Blood |

| Poor appetite | Add Sha Ren, Mu Xiang to harmonize the Stomach |

| Cold limbs | Add Gui Zhi, Sheng Jiang to warm the meridians |

Western Mechanism Reference

Slow facial nerve regeneration, delayed Wallerian degeneration recovery, and reduced nerve repair capacity. Qi-Blood Deficiency corresponds to Bell’s palsy with poor recovery, where reduced nerve growth factor activity and impaired microcirculation contribute to slow nerve regeneration.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Facial Paralysis with Qi-Blood Deficiency.

  2. Xiong Jibai: Qi Deficiency uses Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang.

  3. WHO. (2023). Neurological health. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for facial nerve health.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM neurology.