Herpes Simplex Infection (Cold Sores)

How Chinese medicine differentiates herpes simplex outbreaks (oral and genital), the three patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Genital lesions, frequent recurrence, or lesions near the eye need medical evaluation; antiviral medication remains standard care alongside any acupuncture support.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for herpes simplex outbreaks — 8 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
ST-44	Clears Heat. Regulates the Intestines and resolves Damp-Heat. Expels Wind from the face.
L.I.-4	Expels exterior Wind, benefits the eyes, nose, ears and mouth, stops pain.
ST-36	Benefits Stomach and Spleen, tonifies Qi and Blood.
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang, promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, invigorates Blood.
LR-2	Drains Liver-Fire and subdues Liver-Yang, resolves Damp-Heat in the genitourinary system.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen, resolves Dampness, nourishes Blood and Yin.
KI-3	Tonifies the Kidneys (both Yin and Yang), benefits Essence.
KI-6	Nourishes Kidney-Yin, regulates the uterus and menstruation.

The Three Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Bright Yang Stomach Heat

Clinical manifestations: Clusters of small blisters on red skin around the mouth and nose; burning pain and itching in the lesions; intense thirst with craving for cold drinks; flushed red face and dry, cracked lips; irritability and restlessness; scanty dark urine.

Tongue: Red body with a yellow, dry coating; may show early cracks. Pulse: Overflowing and surging (Hong), rapid, strongest at the right middle position.

Treatment principle: Clear blazing Stomach Heat and nourish depleted Yin fluids.

ST-44 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ ST-36 ⊥

Note: no moxa. Matched on the internal pattern to Stomach-Heat — the deck slide is framed around epigastric burning rather than a facial outbreak, but shares the same thirst-for-cold-drinks, dry mouth/stools and heat-sensation core.

2. Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Outbreaks on the genitals; burning, stinging pain; dark, scanty, or painful urination.

Tongue: Red body with redder sides, yellow greasy coating thicker at the centre and root. Pulse: Wiry, slippery, and rapid.

Treatment principle: Drain Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, clear the lower burner, relieve genital pain.

LR-3 ↓ LR-2 ↓ SP-6 ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match — the deck slide names genital papular/vesicular rashes and itching explicitly.

3. Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Recurrent outbreaks, often after fatigue or illness; dry, burning sensation at the lesion site; night sweats; dry mouth and throat, especially at night.

Tongue: Red, dry, possibly cracked, with little or no coating. Pulse: Fine and rapid.

Treatment principle: Nourish Yin and reduce empty heat.

SP-6 ↑ KI-3 ↑ KI-6 ↑ L.I.-4 ↓

Note: moxa avoided (Heat pattern despite the deficiency root). Direct match — this Kidney-Yin/Empty-Heat slide's night sweating and dry throat at night are the same recurrence markers named in the source.

Related conditions

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