How does traditional Chinese medicine treat herpes zoster?

TCM treatment for herpes zoster emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment, mainly divided into oral medication, topical treatment, and acupuncture therapy. 1. Oral Medication: Based on different syndrome patterns identified through syndrome differentiation—such as liver channel stagnation-heat, spleen deficiency with dampness retention, or qi stagnation with blood stasis—different herbal decoctions are prescribed, such as Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, Chu Shi Wei Ling Tang, and Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, aiming to clear heat and drain dampness, detoxify and relieve pain, strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, promote qi circulation and blood circulation for pain relief, or regulate qi and resolve blood stasis. 2. Topical Treatment: After the formation of blisters in herpes zoster, to accelerate crusting and shedding, traditional Chinese medicine may prescribe damp dressings using herbs with heat-clearing and detoxifying effects such as Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai), or apply Indigo Naturalis powder to the affected area. 3. Acupuncture Therapy: As a characteristic treatment modality in TCM, acupuncture can involve superficial puncturing at the local lesion site or body acupuncture for pain relief; fire needle therapy is also an effective option. Additionally, plum blossom needle pricking with blood-letting, cupping with blood-letting, and moxibustion are also employed in the treatment of herpes zoster.