Exhaustion in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different exhaustion patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Exhaustion, a state of extreme tiredness or depletion, extends beyond ordinary fatigue. It's a profound weariness that can result from prolonged physical, mental, or emotional strain, often exacerbated by long-term illness.
Unlike simple tiredness that resolves with rest, exhaustion persists, deeply impacting daily functioning and overall wellbeing. It's a multifaceted condition, with symptoms ranging from physical lethargy to mental burnout.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives exhaustion as an imbalance in the body's vital energy, or Qi. Contrasting with Western perspectives focusing primarily on physical factors, TCM evaluates exhaustion through the lens of disrupted harmony within the body's energy systems. TCM practitioners delve into the root causes behind this energy imbalance, viewing symptoms as interconnected parts of a larger holistic framework.
TCM Patterns for Exhaustion
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Exhaustion, Exhaustion from long-term illness
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
Exhaustion
Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain, Lower back coldness, General cold feeling, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Weak voice
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Exhaustion from long-term illness
Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Leg edema, Female infertility, Diarrhea, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, Premature ejaculation, Oligospermia, Low sex drive, Pale and abudant urination, Constipation
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Exhaustion
Heart Yin Deficiency
Exhaustion
Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Yang Excess
Causes: Feeling work-up
Liver Yang Rising
Feeling work-up
Along with: Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Insomnia, Irritability, Exhaustion, Anger, Stiff neck, Shoulder stiffness, Stiff upper back
Cold
Causes: Exhaustion
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
Exhaustion
Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain, Lower back coldness, General cold feeling, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Weak voice
Wind
Causes: Exhaustion
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
Exhaustion
Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain, Lower back coldness, General cold feeling, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Weak voice
Herbal Formulas for Exhaustion
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address exhaustion
Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifes the Yang
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Exhaustion
Accompanying symptoms:
Low grade fever, Severe chills, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain...
Zai Zao San
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonfies the Yang
- Augments the Qi
- Induces sweating
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Exhaustion
Accompanying symptoms:
Low grade fever, Severe chills, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain...
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Exhaustion
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Feeling work-up
Accompanying symptoms:
Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth...
You Gui Wan
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
- Replenishes the Essence
- Tonifies the Blood
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Exhaustion from long-term illness
Accompanying symptoms:
Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills...
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Exhaustion
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes wind
- Invigorates the blood
- Clears heat
- Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Feeling work-up
Accompanying symptoms:
Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth...
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Increases Fluids
- Relaxes the sinews
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Feeling work-up
Accompanying symptoms:
Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth...
Da Chai Hu Tang
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
- Drains internal clumping due to Heat
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Feeling work-up
Accompanying symptoms:
Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth...
Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin and Blood
- Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind
- Calms the Liver
- Anchors the yang
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Feeling work-up
Accompanying symptoms:
Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth...
Zhen Xin An Shen Tang
Addresses these exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Anchors the Heart and calms the Mind
Addresses These Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Feeling work-up
Accompanying symptoms:
Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Deafness, Blurry vision, Dry mouth...