Chinese Medicine for Nosebleed

In Chinese medicine, a nosebleed (epistaxis) occurs when heat, dryness, or weakness disturbs the normal flow of blood. The main causes involve excessive heat in the lungs, stomach, or liver, each showing its own pattern of symptoms and treatment approach.

Hot Lungs

Common Signs

  • Nosebleed with bright red blood

  • Dry nose, mouth, or throat

  • Coughing yellow, sticky sputum

  • Pain in the chest or throat

  • Rapid breathing or panting

  • Fever or hot sensations in the body

  • Bitter taste in the mouth

  • Flickering nostrils or depression

  • Constipation with dry stools

Treatment Principle
Sedate and clear heat from the lungs, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Sang-Xing-Tang or He-Ye-Wan

Helpful Foods: Apple, apple cucumber, apricot, white fungus, ham, jackfruit, lemon, maltose, mandarin orange, mulberry, olive, peach, pear, sweet potato, red and black dates, tomato, white sugar, mung bean, eggplant

Hot Stomach

Common Signs

  • Fresh red nosebleed or vomiting blood

  • Dry nose and throat

  • Bad breath or bleeding gums

  • Pain or swelling in the gums

  • Thirst with craving for cold drinks

  • Perspiration on the head

  • Stomachache or vomiting after eating

Treatment Principle
Clear stomach heat, nourish yin, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Yu-Nü-Jian

Helpful Foods: Salt, lily flower, bitter endive, camellia, cattail, black fungus, spinach, strawberry, banana, cucumber, licorice

Hot Liver

Common Signs

  • Heavy nosebleed with bright red blood

  • Headache or head swelling

  • Red, swollen, or painful eyes

  • Bitter or sour taste in the mouth

  • Dizziness or deafness

  • Pain in the upper abdomen

  • Blood in the urine

  • Twitching or spasms

  • Irritability or depression

  • Foul vaginal discharge in women

Treatment Principle
Calm the liver, clear liver heat, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

Herbal Formula: Long-Dan-Xie-Gan-Tang

Helpful Foods: Cow’s gallbladder, banana, bitter endive, black fungus, salt, spinach, strawberry, bamboo shoot, cucumber, Job’s tears, beet leaf, mung bean, peppermint, purslane

In Chinese medicine, a nosebleed shows that internal heat is disturbing the blood. Whether the source is the lungs, stomach, or liver, the goal is to cool the blood, clear heat, and restore internal balance. Once the heat is released and moisture is replenished, bleeding stops naturally and the body regains harmony.