Aggression in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different aggression patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Aggression is a forceful behavior or attitude often intended to harm or assert dominance over others. It can manifest in various forms, including verbal aggression, physical violence, and hostile conduct. Aggression typically arises from a combination of emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical triggers. While it is a natural human response to certain stimuli, excessive or extreme aggression can be harmful to both the individual and those around them. It is often a symptom of deeper issues that need to be addressed to restore balance and well-being.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), aggression is not merely a psychological issue but a reflection of underlying disharmonies within the body. Unlike the Western medical approach, which may focus on neurological or psychological causes, TCM views aggression as a symptom of imbalances in the body's energy, or Qi.
These imbalances can stem from various patterns of disharmony, making it crucial to accurately diagnose the root cause before initiating treatment. TCM emphasizes a holistic approach, addressing both the physical and emotional components to achieve harmony.
TCM Patterns for Aggression
Phlegm
Causes: Violent behaviour, Shouting
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Mind Disturbance
Causes: Violent behaviour, Shouting
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Heat
Causes: Violent behaviour, Shouting
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression, Stifling sensation in the chest, Chest pain, Rapid breath
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Incoherent or confused speech, Confusion, Rash behaviour, Uncontrolled laughing or crying, Verbal aggression, Talking to oneself, Depression, Dull shallow face, Aggression
Blood Stasis
Causes: Aggressiveness
Heart Blood Stagnation
Aggressiveness
Along with: Stabbing chest pain, Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest
Herbal Formulas for Aggression
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address aggression
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these aggression patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Aggression Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these aggression patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Aggression Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Zhi Bao Dan
Addresses these aggression patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Resolves toxicity
- Transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Aggression Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Hui Chun Dan
Addresses these aggression patterns:
Main Actions
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Arrests spasms and convulsions
- Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Aggression Pattern Variations
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Addresses these aggression patterns:
Main Actions
- Sedates the Heart
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Fire
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Aggression Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it manifests:
Violent behaviour, Shouting
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia...
Xiao Tiao Jing Tang
Addresses these aggression patterns:
Main Actions
- Remove Blood Stagnation
- Nourishes Blood
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Aggression Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Aggressiveness
Accompanying symptoms:
Stabbing chest pain, Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest