Loss Of Appetite in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different loss of appetite patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

13
TCM Patterns
74
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 13 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each loss of appetite pattern
Classical remedies 74 herbal formulas documented

TCM Patterns for Loss Of Appetite

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Poor appetite

13 variations documented
Qi Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat,

Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Excessive menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Thin menstrual blood, Prolonged menstrual periods, Shortness of breath, Palpitations

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Qi Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled,

Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Stomach Qi Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Morning fatigue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Sticky vaginal discharge, Generalized fatigue, Depression, Cold extremities, Diarrhea, White vaginal discharge,

Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurry vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath,

Heart and Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth,

Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: No appetite, Poor appetite

8 variations documented
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

No appetite

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Depression

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Pericardium Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Mild chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Belching, Abdominal distention, Upper abdominal distension, Depression, Irritability, Dry mouth,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm clogging the Lungs with Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia, Chronic bronchitis, Bronchial asthma,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Poor appetite

7 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Poor memory, Anxiety,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Blood Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart and Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Palpitations, Poor memory, Restless sleeplessness, Fever, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: No appetite, Poor appetite

7 variations documented
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

No appetite

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite,

Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Oedema
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema,

Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Heat

Causes: No appetite, Poor appetite

7 variations documented
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

No appetite

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Nausea, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Liver
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Loss of appetite,

Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Half Exterior Half Interior
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Chest distension, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dry cough, Anxiety, Restlessness, Vomit,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Upper abdominal focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Dry heaving, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Peptic ulcer,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth,

Yang Deficiency

Causes: No appetite, Poor appetite

6 variations documented
Greater Yin stage
How it presents with loss of appetite

No appetite

Along with: Loss of appetite, Vomit, Abdominal fullness, Chills, Diarrhea, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue,

Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, Loss of appetite, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Vomiting clear liquid, Absence of thirst, Weak limbs,

Cold

Causes: No appetite, Poor appetite

6 variations documented
Greater Yin stage
How it presents with loss of appetite

No appetite

Along with: Loss of appetite, Vomit, Abdominal fullness, Chills, Diarrhea, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Cold in the Uterus
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Cold-Phlegm
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: White and watery sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Cold extremities, Nausea, Loss of appetite

Empty-Cold
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Chills, Cold extremities, Pale face, Absence of thirst, Apathy, Excessive sweating,

Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth,

Phlegm

Causes: Poor appetite

5 variations documented
Cold-Phlegm
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: White and watery sputum, Stifling sensation in the chest, Cold extremities, Nausea, Loss of appetite

Phlegm
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness

Oedema
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Abdominal edema, Ankle edema, Facial edema, Foot edema, Oedema of hands, Leg edema,

Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Upper abdominal focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Dry heaving, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Peptic ulcer,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm clogging the Lungs with Qi Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Focal distention of the chest, Loss of appetite, Dyspepsia, Chronic bronchitis, Bronchial asthma,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Poor appetite, No desire to eat

3 variations documented
Stomach Yin Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite, No desire to eat

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

Stomach and Spleen Yin Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Loss of appetite, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry stools, Dry lips, Nausea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth,

Qi Sinking

Causes: Poor appetite

3 variations documented
Large Intestine collapse
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Chronic diarrhea, Anus prolapse, Hemorrhoids, Generalized fatigue, Cold extremities, Loss of appetite,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Uterine prolapse, Prolapsed bladder, Stomach prolapse, Nephroptosis, Anus prolapse, Bearing down sensation in abdomen,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen Qi Sinking
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Poor appetite

2 variations documented
Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Lower back pain, Abdominal distention, Irregular periods, Red and white vaginal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Excess

Causes: Poor appetite

1 variation documented
Yin Excess
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

Along with: Absence of thirst, Slow and forceful movement, Epigastric pain worsen by pressure, Polyuria, Feeling of chest oppression, Nausea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Poor appetite

1 variation documented
Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with loss of appetite

Poor appetite

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

Herbal Formulas for Loss Of Appetite

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address loss of appetite

Ping Wei San

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Qi Stagnation Dampness Heat Cold Phlegm

Dang Gui Shao Yao San

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Qi Stagnation Dampness Heat Blood Stasis

Mai Men Dong Tang

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Yin Deficiency Qi Deficiency Heat Cold

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency Qi Sinking Yang Deficiency

Yi Huang Tang

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Qi Deficiency Dampness Heat Yang Deficiency

Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Qi Deficiency Heat Cold Yin Deficiency

Er Chen Tang

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Qi Deficiency Heat Cold Yin Deficiency

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Qi Deficiency Blood Deficiency Blood Stasis

Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang

Addresses these loss of appetite patterns:

Qi Stagnation Blood Deficiency Blood Stasis