Loss Of Consciousness in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different loss of consciousness patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Loss of consciousness, commonly referred to as fainting or blacking out, is a sudden and brief lapse in a person’s wakefulness and awareness. Medically, it's defined as a state where individuals are unresponsive to external stimuli and their surroundings. This condition spans a spectrum from a brief moment of faintness to prolonged states of unconsciousness, like those seen in comatose patients. Understanding the underlying causes is vital as they can range from benign to life-threatening situations.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets loss of consciousness as an imbalance or interruption in the flow of Qi, the vital life force. TCM practitioners believe that consciousness is closely tied to the Heart and its spiritual aspect, the Shen.
A disruption in the balance of Yin and Yang, or the presence of pathogenic factors such as Phlegm or Heat, can disturb the Shen, leading to a loss of consciousness. Identifying the root cause, which can differ vastly from person to person, is a cornerstone of TCM diagnosis and treatment.
TCM Patterns for Loss Of Consciousness
Mind Disturbance
Causes: Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness, Impaired consciousness
Phlegm Misting the Heart
Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness
Along with: Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia, Noisy breathing, Vomit
Heat invading the Pericardium
Impaired consciousness
Along with: Fever, Irritability, Restlessness, Feeling of uneasiness, Incoherent or confused speech, Loss of consciousness, Viral encephalitis, Meningitis, Pertussis, Measles induced pneumonia
Phlegm
Causes: Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness, Loss of consciousness
Phlegm Misting the Heart
Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness
Along with: Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia, Noisy breathing, Vomit
Turbid Phlegm Blocks Orifices
Loss of consciousness
Along with: Coma, Clenching of teeth, Shortness of breath, Pale face, Copious sputum, Drooling
Heat
Causes: Fainting, Impaired consciousness
Heat victorious stirring Wind
Fainting
Along with: High fever, Loss of consciousness, Limb twitching, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Opisthotonos, Eyeballs turning up, Clenching of teeth
Heat invading the Pericardium
Impaired consciousness
Along with: Fever, Irritability, Restlessness, Feeling of uneasiness, Incoherent or confused speech, Loss of consciousness, Viral encephalitis, Meningitis, Pertussis, Measles induced pneumonia
Qi Rebellion
Causes: Fainting
Rebellious Lung Qi
Fainting
Along with: Coughing, Asthma, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches, Loss of consciousness
Wind
Causes: Fainting
Heat victorious stirring Wind
Fainting
Along with: High fever, Loss of consciousness, Limb twitching, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Opisthotonos, Eyeballs turning up, Clenching of teeth
Summer Heat
Causes: Clouding of consciousness
Summer-Heat entering the Lesser Yin and Terminal Yin warps
Clouding of consciousness
Along with: Wasting, Thirst, Cardiac burning sensation, Irritability, Restlessness, Paralysis, Loss of consciousness, Abnormal behavior, Muscle numbness, Muscle spasm
Herbal Formulas for Loss Of Consciousness
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address loss of consciousness
Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
- Calms the Mind
- Opens up the Orifices
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Heat invading the Pericardium
How it manifests:
Impaired consciousness
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Irritability, Restlessness, Feeling of uneasiness, Incoherent or confused speech, Loss of consciousness...
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Increases Fluids
- Relaxes the sinews
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Heat victorious stirring Wind
How it manifests:
Fainting
Accompanying symptoms:
High fever, Loss of consciousness, Limb twitching, Convulsions, Stiff neck, Opisthotonos...
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Di Tan Tang
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Removes Phlegm
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Gun Tan Wan
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains Fire and Phlegm
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Su He Xiang Wan
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and aromatically opens the sensory orifices
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Transforms turbidity
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Ding Zhi Wan
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Heart Qi
- Pacifies timidity
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Phlegm Misting the Heart
How it manifests:
Sudden blackouts, Unconsciousness
Accompanying symptoms:
Confusion, Loss of consciousness, Hypersomnia, Incoherent or confused speech, Slurred speech, Aphasia...
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Arrests wheezing
- Stops coughing
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Cold
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Rebellious Lung Qi
How it manifests:
Fainting
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Asthma, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches...
Tong Guan San
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Unblocks the jaw
- Opens the sensory orifices
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Turbid Phlegm Blocks Orifices
How it manifests:
Loss of consciousness
Accompanying symptoms:
Coma, Clenching of teeth, Shortness of breath, Pale face, Copious sputum, Drooling
Wu Shi Lian Mei Tang
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains Heat
- Preserves Body Fluids
- Transforms Yin
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Summer-Heat entering the Lesser Yin and Terminal Yin warps
How it manifests:
Clouding of consciousness
Accompanying symptoms:
Wasting, Thirst, Cardiac burning sensation, Irritability, Restlessness, Paralysis...
Jin Fei Cao San
Addresses these loss of consciousness patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Descends Lung Qi
- Transform Phlegm
- Stop cough and calms wheezing
Addresses These Loss Of Consciousness Pattern Variations
Rebellious Lung Qi
How it manifests:
Fainting
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Asthma, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches...