Bleeding Gums in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different bleeding gums patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
TCM Patterns for Bleeding Gums
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause bleeding gums
Stomach Heat or Fire
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Floating (Fu), Slippery (Hua)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Diagnostic signs
Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu)
The classic tongue for this pattern is red with little or no coating, and notably dry, especially in the centre. The centre of the tongue corresponds to the Stomach area, and this is often where dryness and coating loss are most prominent. In early or mild stages, the coating may still be present but appears rootless, as though resting on the surface rather than growing from the tongue body. As the condition progresses, the coating peels off in patches (geographic tongue), and in more advanced cases the entire tongue may be bare and mirror-like. Cracks may develop in the central area, reflecting deeper fluid depletion. The overall tongue body tends to be thin rather than swollen, reflecting the drying and wasting nature of Yin Deficiency.
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Bleeding Gums
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address bleeding gums