Mental Exhaustion in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different mental exhaustion patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Mental exhaustion, a state often characterized by decreased cognitive functioning and a profound sense of fatigue, is more than just feeling tired. It encompasses a range of symptoms including cognitive fatigue, nervous exhaustion, and neurasthenia.
Individuals experiencing mental exhaustion often report feeling mentally drained, with a noticeable decrease in mental sharpness and an inability to concentrate effectively. This condition can emerge from prolonged periods of stress or overexertion, leading to a significant decline in one's cognitive and emotional resources.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives mental exhaustion as a manifestation of an imbalance in the body's fundamental energies. Contrary to Western medicine, which tends to focus on the symptomatic relief of cognitive fatigue, TCM aims to restore harmony and balance within the body.
It views mental exhaustion as an indicator of underlying disharmonies, often involving Qi (vital energy), the essence, or specific organ systems. Treatment in TCM is holistic, targeting these imbalances to rejuvenate the mind and body.
TCM Patterns for Mental Exhaustion
Qi Sinking
Causes: Mental exhaustion
Large Intestine collapse
Mental exhaustion
Along with: Chronic diarrhea, Anus prolapse, Hemorrhoids, Generalized fatigue, Cold extremities, Loss of appetite, Craving for hot beverages
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Neurasthenia
Heart Blood Deficiency
Neurasthenia
Along with: Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Neurasthenia
Heart Yin Deficiency
Neurasthenia
Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria
Essence Deficiency
Causes: Decreased mental sharpness
Kidney Essence Deficiency
Decreased mental sharpness
Along with: Deafness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain, Infertility, Primary amenorrhea, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Absentmindness
Herbal Formulas for Mental Exhaustion
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address mental exhaustion
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Harmonizes the middle burner
- Relaxes tension
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Large Intestine collapse
How it manifests:
Mental exhaustion
Accompanying symptoms:
Chronic diarrhea, Anus prolapse, Hemorrhoids, Generalized fatigue, Cold extremities, Loss of appetite...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Decreased mental sharpness
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Strengthens the Essence
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Decreased mental sharpness
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Tu Si Zi Wan
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Kidneys
- Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Decreased mental sharpness
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Beautifies hair
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Decreased mental sharpness
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Zhen Xin An Shen Tang
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Anchors the Heart and calms the Mind
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Huan Shao Dan
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Spleen, Heart and Kidneys
- Nourishes Yin and Blood
- Augments Qi
- Tonifies Yang
- Promotes Longevity
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it manifests:
Decreased mental sharpness
Accompanying symptoms:
Deafness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain, Infertility...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind and clear anxiety
- Nourish the Heart Blood
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Addresses these mental exhaustion patterns:
Main Actions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Addresses These Mental Exhaustion Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria