Anxiety in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different anxiety patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

12
TCM Patterns
67
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 12 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each anxiety pattern
Classical remedies 67 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views anxiety as a manifestation of imbalance within the body's energy systems, particularly involving the Heart, Liver, and Kidney. Unlike Western medicine's focus on neurotransmitters and brain function, TCM considers anxiety a result of disrupted Qi flow and disharmony among various organs.

In TCM, anxiety can stem from multiple patterns of disharmony, each requiring a unique treatment approach. This individualized perspective emphasizes the importance of identifying the specific underlying pattern before initiating treatment, as addressing the root cause is crucial for restoring balance and alleviating symptoms.

TCM Patterns for Anxiety

Heat

Causes: Anxiety

12 variations documented
Heat in the Blood
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia,

Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Half Exterior Half Interior
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Chest distension, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dry cough, Restlessness, Vomit, Loss of appetite,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart Fire blazing
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Thirst, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Restlessness, Feeling of heat,

Heat in Uterus Blood
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face,

Heat invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Arthralgia, Joints red and hot, Fever, Thirst, Wind phobia, Swollen joints,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Pericardium Fire
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Thirst, Mouth ulcers,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat,

Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Excessive hunger, Focal distention of the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Anxiety, Slightly anxiety

8 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia

Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Easily startled,

Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Irritability, Insomnia, Occasional palpitations, Dizziness

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Pericardium Blood Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Chest pain, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Easily startled,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Slightly anxiety

Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Poor memory,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart and Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Insomnia, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Pale face, Poor memory,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Anxiety, Evening anxiety

7 variations documented
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia

Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety, Evening anxiety

Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation,

Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Irritability, Insomnia, Occasional palpitations, Dizziness

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Jumpy, Scanty and dark urine,

Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory, Night sweats, Tinnitus, Dizziness,

Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Mind Disturbance

Causes: Anxiety

4 variations documented
Heart Fire blazing
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Thirst, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Restlessness, Feeling of heat,

Pericardium Fire
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Thirst, Mouth ulcers,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm

Causes: Anxiety

4 variations documented
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat,

Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Excessive hunger, Focal distention of the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Anxiety

3 variations documented
Large Intestine Qi Stagnation
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Abdominal distention, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Bitty stools

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia,

Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Excessive hunger, Focal distention of the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Anxiety

2 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations,

Heart and Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Palpitations, Insomnia, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Pale face, Poor memory,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Anxiety

1 variation documented
Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Anxiety

1 variation documented
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys caused by Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Irritability, Restlessness, Severe heart palpitations, Cold sensation in lower limbs, Insomnia, Mental exhaustion,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Excess

Causes: Anxiety

1 variation documented
Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Irritability, Insomnia, Occasional palpitations, Dizziness

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Anxiety

1 variation documented
Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Tight feeling in chest and stomach,

Dampness

Causes: Anxiety

1 variation documented
Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with anxiety

Anxiety

Along with: Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Tight feeling in chest and stomach,

Herbal Formulas for Anxiety

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address anxiety

Wen Dan Tang

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm Qi Stagnation

Suan Zao Ren Tang

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Heat Yin Deficiency Blood Deficiency

Zhen Zhu Mu Wan

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Blood Deficiency Yin Deficiency Yang Excess

Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Zhi Bao Dan

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Hui Chun Dan

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Sheng Tie Luo Yin

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Blood Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

Addresses these anxiety patterns:

Yin Deficiency Heat