What are the Traditional Chinese Medicine methods for treating mumps?

Hello! Getting mumps is indeed quite uncomfortable. I had it when I was a child, so I know a bit about it. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it's called "Zha Sai" (痄腮), mainly caused by contracting a "warm-toxic evil" (you can simply understand it as a virus). This "toxin" then travels along the meridians to the parotid gland area, causing blockage, leading to redness, swelling, and pain.

The TCM approach to treating this condition is very clear: "clear heat and detoxify, activate blood and dissipate stagnation." There are many methods, and a multi-pronged approach works best.

1. Oral Chinese Medicine (Herbal Decoctions)

This is the primary method. TCM doctors will perform "syndrome differentiation and treatment" based on your specific condition. Simply put, they will adjust the prescription according to your stage of illness and the severity of your symptoms.

• Initial Stage (Milder):

  • Symptoms: May start with a slight fever, chills, swelling and some pain in one or both parotid glands, and mild throat discomfort.
  • Treatment Principle: Primarily to dispel wind and clear heat, detoxify and dissipate stagnation.
  • Common Formulas: The doctor might use modified formulas like "Yin Qiao San" or "Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin." Ingredients like Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua), Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao), Isatis root (Banlangen), and Burdock fruit (Niubangzi) act like "firefighters" and "cleaners" in the body, helping to clear out the "heat-toxin."

• Mid Stage (More Severe):

  • Symptoms: Persistent high fever, significantly swollen parotid glands that feel hard to the touch and are very painful, difficulty opening the mouth, dry mouth and tongue.
  • Treatment Principle: At this point, stronger medicine is needed. The focus is on "clearing heat and detoxifying, softening hardness and dissipating stagnation."
  • Common Formulas: "Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin" remains the main formula, but stronger "fever-reducing" herbs like Gypsum Fibrosum (Shengshigao) and Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu) will be added, along with Fritillaria thunbergii bulb (Zhebeimu) and Scrophularia root (Xuanshen) to "soften" the swollen masses.

• If Complications Occur:

  • For example, if boys experience "testicular swelling and pain" (TCM calls it "Ziyong"), or abdominal pain (possibly "pancreatitis"), TCM will immediately adjust the prescription, adding herbs that can guide the "toxin" out of the affected meridians, such as Lychee seed (Lizhihe), Tangerine seed (Juhe), and Corydalis rhizome (Yanhusuo). This is called "guiding the medicine to the affected meridian."

2. External Application of Chinese Medicine (Applying Herbs to the Swollen Area)

This method is very effective and acts directly on the swollen and painful area, helping to reduce swelling and relieve pain, providing great comfort.

• Common Medications:
  • Qing Dai San (Indigo Naturalis Powder) / Ru Yi Jin Huang San (Ruyi Golden Yellow Powder): Mix these herbal powders with vinegar or egg white to form a paste, then apply it directly to the swollen parotid glands. Cover and secure with gauze. Replace when dry. Qing Dai has a cooling effect, clearing heat and detoxifying; vinegar activates blood and dispels stasis, helping the medicine penetrate.
  • Cactus / Purslane: If you have these plants at home, you can also mash them and apply them to the face. They are also very effective and natural.

3. Acupuncture or Ear Apex Bloodletting

• Acupuncture: The doctor will insert needles into specific acupuncture points, such as "Jia Che (ST6)" and "Xia Guan (ST7)" on the face, "He Gu (LI4)" on the hand, and "Nei Ting (ST44)" on the foot. The goal is to unblock the meridians and promote the flow of Qi and blood. When Qi and blood flow smoothly, swelling and pain naturally subside.
• Ear Apex Bloodletting: This is a unique minor TCM therapy. A needle is quickly pricked at the tip of the ear, and a few drops of blood are squeezed out. Don't be alarmed; it's not very painful, but it's particularly effective for reducing fever and pain, especially for high fever and headache.

4. Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments

During illness, "dietary restrictions" are very important!

• What to Eat: Drink plenty of water and eat light, easily digestible liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as porridge or soft noodles. You can eat more heat-clearing foods like mung bean soup, pears, watermelon, and water chestnuts.
• What Not to Eat:
  • "Fawu" (Foods that may aggravate illness): Fish, shrimp, crab, lamb, etc., as these can exacerbate "heat."
  • Acidic Foods: Such as sour plums, vinegar (external application is fine, but not for drinking), because acidic foods stimulate more saliva production from the parotid glands, worsening the pain.
  • Spicy, Stimulating, and Fried Foods: Such as chili peppers and fried chicken, as these "add fuel to the fire."

Finally, a very important point:

Although these methods may not sound complicated, never self-medicate or randomly buy herbs from a pharmacy. TCM emphasizes "individualized treatment," as everyone's constitution and condition are different. You must consult a TCM doctor at a reputable hospital for diagnosis and to get a personalized prescription and treatment plan. Mumps can lead to complications if not handled properly, so seeking timely medical attention is the safest approach!

I hope this helps you, and I wish you a speedy recovery!