What are the traditional Chinese medicine methods for treating lipomas?
Nov 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treats lipomas through various methods, including syndrome differentiation-based oral herbal medicine, external application of herbs, acupuncture regulation, acupoint massage, and dietary and emotional adjustment. TCM holds that lipomas are often associated with stagnation of phlegm-dampness, qi stagnation with blood stasis, and impaired spleen function, thus requiring treatment based on individual patterns. For instance, formulas that resolve phlegm and eliminate dampness may be used for excessive phlegm-dampness, while those promoting blood circulation and regulating qi are suitable for cases of qi stagnation and blood stasis.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers several approaches for treating lipomas, including syndrome differentiation-based oral herbal medicine, external application of herbs, acupuncture regulation, acupoint massage, and dietary and emotional adjustment. Specific methods are analyzed as follows:
1. Syndrome Differentiation and Oral Herbal Treatment: TCM theory holds that lipomas are often related to stagnation of phlegm-dampness, qi stagnation with blood stasis, and impaired spleen function. Treatment should be based on individualized pattern diagnosis. For example, patients with prominent phlegm-dampness may take formulas that resolve phlegm and eliminate dampness; those with qi stagnation and blood stasis may use herbs that promote blood circulation and regulate qi flow; while those with spleen deficiency are mainly treated with tonifying formulas to strengthen the spleen and boost qi. By regulating organ functions and improving the internal pathological environment, these treatments can help control the development of lipomas.
2. External Application of Herbal Medicine: Herbs possessing properties that soften hardness, resolve nodules, invigorate blood, and dissipate stasis are selected, processed into ointments or powders, and applied externally to the site of the lipoma. The active components penetrate through the skin and act directly on the local area, helping to soften the mass, relieve local discomfort caused by the lipoma, and assist in regulating local qi and blood circulation.
3. Acupuncture Regulation: Based on the patient’s constitution and distribution of lipomas, specific acupuncture points along relevant meridians are selected for needling. Stimulating these points helps unblock meridians, harmonize qi and blood, and balance organ functions. This improves the internal accumulation of phlegm-dampness and blood stasis, creating a favorable internal environment for lipoma management.
4. Acupoint Massage: In daily life, one can massage key points known to strengthen the spleen, remove dampness, regulate qi, and activate blood circulation—such as Zusanli (ST36), Fenglong (ST40), and Xuehai (SP10). Regular moderate massage stimulates these points, promotes circulation of qi and blood, enhances the digestive and transformation functions of the spleen and stomach, reduces phlegm-dampness formation, and over time may help prevent lipomas from growing larger or increasing in number.
5. Dietary and Emotional Regulation: Diet should avoid excessive greasy, sweet, cold, or rich foods. Instead, consume more light, spleen-strengthening ingredients. Emotionally, maintain a cheerful mood and avoid prolonged anxiety or depression, which may lead to qi stagnation. Adjusting diet and emotional health helps reduce internal triggers such as phlegm-dampness and qi stagnation, thereby supporting the effectiveness of TCM treatment.
TCM treatment for lipomas should always be conducted under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Self-medication or self-treatment is not recommended. If a lipoma grows rapidly within a short period, becomes painful, or affects daily life, prompt evaluation using modern medical diagnostic methods should be sought.
