Relapsing polychondritis(RP)is a rare and challenging disease characterized by complex clinical manifestations and multi-system damage,primarily affecting cartilaginous tissues and mucopolysaccharide-rich structures throughout the body.Within the framework of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),a consensus understanding of RP has not been established.This article is based on the theory of"combined bi-impediment of body constituents and zang organs"and analyzes its relationship with RP.RP can belong to this category,and based on its clinical progression,a staged treatment approach is recommended across three phases:acute,persistent,and remission.Pathogenetically,the acute phase is dominated by pathogenic factors such as wind-heat toxin accumulation,phlegm-stasis heat coagulation,immune dysregulation,and intense inflammatory responses.The persistent phase transitions into a deficiency-excess complex pattern,marked by a latent pathogen struggle between pathogenic factors and healthy qi,forming the fundamental pathogenesis underlying RP recurrence.The remission phase is characterized by lingering pathogen residues coupled with healthy qi deficiency,gradually progressing toward immune homeostasis.Therapeutically,treatment follows the principle of"harmonizing balance between healthy qi and pathogenic qi,"with the five zang organs and bodily constituents as the framework,deficiency and excess as the objective,and the meridians and blood vessels as the unity.During the acute phase,the approach emphasizes eliminating evil and detoxifying,treating the body and zang organs together,and dispersing blood stasis and phlegm.In the sustained phase,treatment focuses on strengthening healthy qi and eliminating evil,modifying treatments according to syndrome manifestations,promoting qi flow,and resolving and eliminating phlegm.In the remission phase,the body and zang organs are strengthened and regulated,and masses are eliminated and collaterals are dredged.Clinical application requires accurate stage differentiation to restore normal physiological body and zang organ functions.A staged treatment strategy based on the theory of"combined bi-impediment of body constituents and zang organs"may offer novel insights into the TCM-based management of RP.

Relapsing polychondritis(RP)is a rare and challenging disease characterized by complex clinical manifestations and multi-system damage,primarily affecting cartilaginous tissues and mucopolysaccharide-rich structures throughout the body.Within the framework of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),a consensus understanding of RP has not been established.This article is based on the theory of"combined bi-impediment of body constituents and zang organs"and analyzes its relationship with RP.RP can belong to this category,and based on its clinical progression,a staged treatment approach is recommended across three phases:acute,persistent,and remission.Pathogenetically,the acute phase is dominated by pathogenic factors such as wind-heat toxin accumulation,phlegm-stasis heat coagulation,immune dysregulation,and intense inflammatory responses.The persistent phase transitions into a deficiency-excess complex pattern,marked by a latent pathogen struggle between pathogenic factors and healthy qi,forming the fundamental pathogenesis underlying RP recurrence.The remission phase is characterized by lingering pathogen residues coupled with healthy qi deficiency,gradually progressing toward immune homeostasis.Therapeutically,treatment follows the principle of"harmonizing balance between healthy qi and pathogenic qi,"with the five zang organs and bodily constituents as the framework,deficiency and excess as the objective,and the meridians and blood vessels as the unity.During the acute phase,the approach emphasizes eliminating evil and detoxifying,treating the body and zang organs together,and dispersing blood stasis and phlegm.In the sustained phase,treatment focuses on strengthening healthy qi and eliminating evil,modifying treatments according to syndrome manifestations,promoting qi flow,and resolving and eliminating phlegm.In the remission phase,the body and zang organs are strengthened and regulated,and masses are eliminated and collaterals are dredged.Clinical application requires accurate stage differentiation to restore normal physiological body and zang organ functions.A staged treatment strategy based on the theory of"combined bi-impediment of body constituents and zang organs"may offer novel insights into the TCM-based management of RP.