Exploring the Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Herpes Zoster Neuralgia Based on the Theory of"Latent Toxins Damaging Collaterals"
YOU Yi
LU Yuan
Abstract：Herpes zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus,which lies dormant in the dorsal root ganglia or cranial nerve ganglia,leading to skin and nerve damage.It is characterized primarily by pain,which is often persistent and difficult to alleviate.Integrating the"theory of latent toxins"and the"theory of collateral disease",this paper proposes that"latent toxins damaging collaterals"is the core pathogenesis of herpes zoster neuralgia."Latent toxins"originate from hidden pathogens and virulent toxins,referring to the varicella-zoster virus that remains dormant in the body and becomes activated when the body's Zhengqi(vital energy)is deficient or triggered by external factors."Collateral disease"aligns with the pattern of"chronic illness entering the collaterals",where pathogenic toxins block the fine and tortuous collaterals,leading to the mutual binding of phlegm and blood stasis.This triggers a vicious cycle of"latent toxins remaining in the collaterals,collaterals damaged,inability to expel pathogens,worsening pathogenic toxins".Based on this core pathogenesis,the fundamental treatment principles of"expelling pathogens"and"unblocking collaterals"are established.For expelling pathogens,patients with wind-toxin invasion are treated with modified Chuanxiong Chatiao San to dispel wind and detoxify,while those with heat-toxin invasion are treated with modified Huodan Fang to clear heat and activate blood circulation.For unblocking collaterals,formulas such as Taohong Siwu Tang are selected for syndromes of qi stagnation and blood stasis to promote blood circulation and remove stasis.For syndromes of qi deficiency and blood stasis,Buyang Huanwu Tang is used to tonify qi and unblock collaterals.In cases of severe pathogenic toxins,insect-based medicines such as scorpion and centipede can be added to search and eliminate toxins from the collaterals.External treatments,including surrounding acupuncture with fine needles,bloodletting puncture,and fire needle therapy,can be combined to enhance efficacy by dredging meridians and expelling pathogenic toxins.Clinical case verification has shown that the above syndrome differentiation and treatment protocol can effectively alleviate pain,promote skin lesion healing,improve sleep and emotional states,and reduce the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).This study enriches the clinical connotation of the theory of"latent toxins damaging collaterals"and provides a systematic Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment approach for herpes zoster neuralgia,offering significant reference value for improving clinical efficacy.
Keywords：herpes zoster neuralgiatheory of latent toxinstheory of collateral diseaselatent toxins damaging collateralssyndrome differentiation and treatmentdetoxifying and unblocking collaterals
Publication Date：2026-03-20
Online Publishing Date：2026-07-17(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 56-61 )