Neurasthenia in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different neurasthenia patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Neurasthenia, a term that may not be as commonly used in modern Western medicine, refers to a condition characterized by chronic fatigue, weakness, and sometimes psychological distress. Symptoms often include a feeling of physical or mental tiredness, poor concentration, irritability, and sleep disturbances.
This condition is generally understood as a reaction to stress, chronic illness, or psychological factors. While the term 'neurasthenia' might be less prevalent today, the symptoms it describes are still widely recognized and treated in various medical practices, including Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), neurasthenia is viewed through the lens of imbalance and disharmony within the body's systems. TCM recognizes that this condition can arise from a variety of imbalances, including deficiencies in Qi (vital energy), Blood, Yin, or Yang.
The approach in TCM is holistic, focusing not just on alleviating symptoms but on restoring balance and harmony to the entire body. This perspective underscores the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and mental health in TCM.
TCM Patterns for Neurasthenia
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
Herbal Formulas for Neurasthenia
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address neurasthenia
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Heart
- Calms the Mind
- Harmonizes the middle burner
- Relaxes tension
Addresses These Neurasthenia 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
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Neurasthenia Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Neurasthenia Pattern Variations
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Neurasthenia Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Neurasthenia Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Neurasthenia Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Zhen Xin An Shen Tang
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Anchors the Heart and calms the Mind
Addresses These Neurasthenia Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind and clear anxiety
- Nourish the Heart Blood
Addresses These Neurasthenia Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Addresses these neurasthenia patterns:
Main Actions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Addresses These Neurasthenia Pattern Variations
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Neurasthenia
Accompanying symptoms:
Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria