bubble_chart Concept

The veins in the lower limbs become prominent, referring to the distension and bulging of the veins in the lower limbs. This condition often occurs in the calves, presenting as bluish-purple, tree-branch-like or ribbon-like curvatures, which are clearly visible when standing and are accompanied by a sense of heaviness and swelling, making one prone to fatigue.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Dampness-heat Stagnation︰Swelling, redness, burning pain in the lower limbs, prominent veins, or eczema and ulcers, accompanied by fever, bitter taste in the mouth, soreness and fatigue of the limbs, scanty dark urine, irregular bowel movements, yellow and greasy tongue coating, and wiry and rapid pulse. It is caused by exposure to dampness-heat pathogens, or excessive consumption of rich, sweet, and greasy foods and alcohol, leading to the formation of dampness-heat, which pours downward, stagnation of the meridians due to blood stasis. The treatment should focus on clearing heat and draining dampness, invigorating the blood to unblock collaterals. The recommended formula is Hypoglaucous Yam Toxin-Resolving Decoction with modifications.
2. Cold-dampness Stagnation︰Swelling and heaviness in the lower limbs, prominent bluish veins, numbness, cold pain, difficulty walking, pudendal coldness worsened by weather, clear urine, loose stools, white and greasy tongue coating, and soggy and slow pulse manifestation. This is caused by sitting or lying on damp ground, wading in water, or exposure to rain, allowing cold-dampness pathogens to invade the sinews and vessels, leading to obstruction of qi and blood. In addition to prominent bluish veins in the lower limbs, it is often accompanied by swelling, heaviness, numbness, or pain, a white and greasy tongue coating, and a soggy and slow pulse—manifestations of cold-dampness stagnation. The treatment should focus on dispersing cold-dampness, regulating qi, and unblocking collaterals. The recommended formula is Cock Crow Powder with modifications.
3. Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis︰Heavy and swollen lower limbs, prominent bluish veins, accompanied by fatigue, lack of strength, shortage of qi, reluctance to speak, pale and lusterless complexion, pale lips and tongue color, thin white tongue coating, weak and feeble pulse. Mostly caused by a constitution that is inherently weak or prolonged deficiency of pestilent qi, combined with long-term standing or bearing heavy loads, leading to poor blood circulation in the lower limbs. In addition to the prominent bluish veins in the lower limbs, it is often accompanied by fatigue, lack of strength, shortage of qi, reluctance to speak, pale and lusterless complexion, pale lips and tongue color, thin white coating, weak and feeble pulse, and other manifestations of qi deficiency. The treatment should focus on tonifying qi, activating blood, harmonizing the nutrient to unblock collaterals. The recommended prescription is Yang-Tonifying Five-Returning Decoction with modifications.

The protrusion of green veins in the lower limbs often occurs in individuals who stand for long periods or engage in heavy lifting work. Those with a constitution prone to dampness descending or qi deficiency are more susceptible to this condition. In clinical diagnosis, differentiation should be made based on the aspects of cold, heat, deficiency, and excess.