Back to previous page
Search in Dictionary

Constraining sweat

敛汗 〔斂汗〕liǎn hàn

A method of treatment used to address spontaneous or night sweating using securing astringents combined with other medicinals according to need.

Medicinal therapy: Spontaneous sweating is usually attributable to qì vacuity and is therefore primarily treated by boosting qì and securing the exterior with medicinals such as astragalus (Astragali Radix, 黄芪 huáng qí). Night sweating is usually a consequence of yīn vacuity and is therefore treated by enriching yīn and constraining the lung, using white peony (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 白芍药 bái sháo yào), mung bean seed-coat (Phaseoli Radiati Testa, 绿豆皮 lǜ dòu pí), and light wheat (Tritici Fructus Levis, 浮小麦 fú xiǎo mài). Treatment of both spontaneous and night sweating may include medicinals such as schisandra (Schisandrae Fructus, 五味子 wǔ wèi zǐ), glutinous rice root (Oryzae Glutinosae Radix, 糯稻根须 nuò dào gēn xū), calcined dragon bone (Mastodi Ossis Fossilia Calcinata, 煅龙骨 duàn lóng gǔ), and calcined oyster shell (Ostreae Concha Calcinata, 煅牡蛎 duàn mǔ lì).

A representative formula is Oyster Shell Powder (牡蛎散 mǔ lì sǎn). Securing astriction is only one method of checking spontaneous and night sweating. Cinnamon Twig Decoction (桂枝汤 guì zhī tāng), by harmonizing provisioning and defense, can also check sweating. Jade Wind-Barrier Powder (玉屏风散 yù píng fēng sǎn) can check sweating by boosting qì and securing the exterior. Night sweating may also be treated by the yīn-nourishing and fire-draining effect of Chinese Angelica Six Yellows Decoction (当归六黄汤 dāng guī liù huáng tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), KI-7 (Recover Flow, 复溜 fù liū), SI-3 (Back Ravine, 后溪 hòu xī), and HT-6 (Yīn Cleft, 阴郄 yīn xī) can all be used to constrain sweating. The first two are used in particular for spontaneous sweating, and the last two for night sweating.

Back to previous page
Help us to improve our content
You found an error? Send us a feedback