Excessive Hunger in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different excessive hunger patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Excessive hunger, also known as hyperphagia, is characterized by an abnormally intense desire to eat, often without the usual physical triggers of hunger. Individuals experiencing excessive hunger might feel the need to eat frequently or consume large quantities of food, even after a meal. This condition can arise due to various factors, including metabolic imbalances, psychological conditions, or underlying health issues.
Medically, excessive hunger is often linked to conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or even stress and anxiety, highlighting the complex interplay between the body's physical and mental health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a different perspective on excessive hunger compared to Western medicine. In TCM, excessive hunger is seen as a manifestation of internal imbalances, particularly related to the body's vital energies, or Qi. Rather than viewing hunger solely as a physical or psychological response, TCM considers the overall harmony of the body's organs and systems.
Excessive hunger can result from various patterns of disharmony, such as excess heat, Qi stagnation, or Yin deficiency. Identifying the correct underlying pattern is essential in TCM, as treatment must be tailored to address the specific imbalance causing the symptom.
TCM Patterns for Excessive Hunger
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause excessive hunger
Stomach Heat or Fire
Diagnostic signs
Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Red in the center with a dry thick yellow or dark yellow coating
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Diagnostic signs
Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Normal color with rootless coating or without coating in the center
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Excessive Hunger
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address excessive hunger