Urticaria - Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern
TCM differentiation and treatment for urticaria with
Urticaria · Qi-Blood Deficiency Pattern
Updated: June 23, 2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM
Reading Time: 7 min
Body Area: Skin
Pattern Overview
Qi-Blood Deficiency is a chronic pattern in urticaria, characterized by
**chronic spontaneous urticaria, immune dysregulation, Treg cell
dysfunction, IgG subclass deficiency, and recurrent wheals**. The core
pathogenesis is **insufficient Qi and Blood failing to nourish the
skin**, leading to immune dysregulation and chronic urticaria.
Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points
| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |
|---|
| Primary Symptoms |
|---|
complexion, poor appetite |
| Associated Symptoms |
|---|
dizziness, poor sleep |
| Tongue and Pulse |
|---|
and weak pulse |
| Pathogenesis | Qi-Blood deficiency with immune dysregulation |
|---|
| Etiology |
|---|
urticaria |
Acupuncture Point Prescription
| Point | Location | Function |
|---|
| Zusanli (ST36) |
|---|
to the tibial crest | Strengthens Spleen and Stomach; tonifies Qi and
Blood |
| Pishu (BL20) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T11 |
|---|
of Spleen meridian; strengthens Spleen-Qi |
| Qihai (RN6) | 1.5 cun below the umbilicus |
|---|
strengthens the body |
| Xuehai (SP10) | On the medial thigh, 2 cun above the patella |
|---|
Nourishes Blood and stops itching |
| Sanyinjiao (SP6) | 3 cun above the medial malleolus |
|---|
Blood and Yin; regulates the Spleen and Kidney |
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: Ba Zhen Tang (八珍汤) or Dang Gui Yin Zi (当归饮子)
Composition:
Ginseng (Ren Shen), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Poria
(Fu Ling), Angelica (Dang Gui), White Peony (Bai Shao), Chuanxiong
(Chuan Xiong), Rehmannia (Shu Di), Polygonum (He Shou Wu), Licorice (Gan
Cao)
Action: Supplements Qi and Blood, strengthens the immune system, and
reduces wheals.
Modifications
| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |
|---|
| Chronic wheals |
|---|
|
| Fatigue | Add Huang Qi to enhance Qi supplementation |
|---|
| Poor sleep | Add Suan Zao Ren, Yuan Zhi to calm the spirit |
|---|
| Cold limbs | Add Gui Zhi, Sheng Jiang to warm the meridians |
|---|
Western Mechanism Reference
Chronic spontaneous urticaria with immune dysregulation, Treg cell
dysfunction, and IgG subclass deficiency. Qi-Blood Deficiency
corresponds to chronic spontaneous urticaria, where immune dysregulation
and Treg cell dysfunction contribute to persistent wheal formation.
References
1. Dermatology of TCM - Urticaria with Qi-Blood Deficiency.
2. Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation: Qi-Blood Deficiency → Cross-layer
Nourishment.
3. WHO. (2023). Skin health. World Health Organization.
Explore More
- Find your solution at MendGod.com –
Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for skin health.
- Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full
research papers and clinical case studies on TCM dermatology.
Related TCM Patterns for Urticaria
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Lead author: Dr. Li Wei, DACM | Content updated: Monthly
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment.