Application of external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine in cirrhotic ascites / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

In recent years, great progress has been made in the external treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for cirrhotic ascites, including TCM umbilical compress therapy, TCM enema, acupuncture, moxibustion, and light therapy. The external treatment has similar effects as oral administration of TCM in relieving the clinical symptoms of cirrhotic ascites, and does not have gastrointestinal adverse reactions. This article reviews the research advances in external treatment of TCM for cirrhotic ascites, and the new research directions in the future are to establish an unified research protocol and expand the scope of application of external treatment of TCM.