General Weakness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different general weakness patterns according to TCM theory

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Condition Categories

10
TCM Patterns
48
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 10 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each general weakness pattern
Classical remedies 48 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets general weakness as a sign of underlying disharmony within the body's energy systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on the symptom, TCM seeks to understand and treat the root cause of weakness.

This holistic approach considers factors like Qi (vital energy), blood, Yin and Yang balances, and the functioning of internal organs to restore overall health and vitality.

TCM Patterns for General Weakness

Qi Deficiency

Causes: General weakness, Lassitude, Lack strength

6 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

General weakness

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

Qi Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

General weakness

Along with: Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs,

Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Excessive gas and flatulence, Bloated abdomen,

Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs,

Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lack strength

Along with: Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia,

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Lassitude, Exhaustion from long-term illness, Weakness and stiffness

6 variations documented
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Lower back pain, Weak and cold knees, Back cold sensation, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude, Exhaustion from long-term illness

Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Chills,

Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Chills,

Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Chills, General cold feeling, Pale urine, Undigested food in stools, General weakness, Abdominal pain relieved by pressure and warmth,

Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Weakness and stiffness

Along with: Lower back and leg pain and heaviness, Aversion to cold, General cold feeling, Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Chronic lower back pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Weakness, Lassitude

3 variations documented
Yin Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Weakness

Along with: Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy,

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

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

Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Lack strength, Lassitude

3 variations documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with general weakness

Lack strength

Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

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

Blood Deficiency

Causes: General weakness, Lassitude

2 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

General weakness

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

Spleen Blood Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Lassitude

2 variations documented
Cold in the Uterus
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge

Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Loss of appetite, Epigastric coldness, Head and body heaviness, Sweet taste in mouth, Absence of thirst, Diarrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Lack strength

1 variation documented
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it presents with general weakness

Lack strength

Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Blood Stasis

Causes: Lassitude

1 variation documented
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Dull pale complexion, Weak limbs,

Qi Sinking

Causes: Lassitude

1 variation documented
Spleen Qi Sinking
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Lassitude

1 variation documented
Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with general weakness

Lassitude

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

Herbal Formulas for General Weakness

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address general weakness

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Dampness Phlegm Qi Deficiency Qi Sinking Yang Deficiency

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency Blood Stasis

Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Dampness Phlegm

Ba Zhen Tang

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency

Er Xian Tang

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Yang Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Dampness Phlegm

Guo Qi Yin

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency

Ping Wei San

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Dampness Cold

Zhi Gan Cao Tang

Addresses these general weakness patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency