Poor Memory in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different poor memory patterns according to TCM theory

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Condition Categories

8
TCM Patterns
40
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 8 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each poor memory pattern
Classical remedies 40 herbal formulas documented

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, poor memory is seen as a reflection of imbalances or deficiencies within the body’s internal systems. Rather than isolating the brain as the sole organ responsible for memory, TCM views the Heart, Spleen, Kidneys, and Liver as key players in cognitive function.

Symptoms like memory loss are believed to arise from various patterns of disharmony, such as Deficiencies in Qi, Blood, or Yin. Identifying the specific pattern is crucial, as treatment in TCM is highly individualized, focusing on restoring balance rather than just addressing the symptom itself.

TCM Patterns for Poor Memory

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Poor memory, Forgetfulness

10 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

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

Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Dizziness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull shallow face, Pale lips, Insomnia

Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia

Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Easily startled,

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs,

Pericardium Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Chest pain, Palpitations, Insomnia

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Palpitations, Dizziness, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Anxiety, Easily startled,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart and Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Forgetfulness, Poor memory

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 poor memory

Forgetfulness

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Yin and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Forgetfulness

Along with: Irritability, Heart palpitations with anxiety, Generalized fatigue, Restless sleeplessness, Poor concentration, Nocturnal emission,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Poor memory, Forgetfulness

6 variations documented
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

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

Yin Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

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

Yin and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Forgetfulness

Along with: Irritability, Heart palpitations with anxiety, Generalized fatigue, Restless sleeplessness, Poor concentration, Nocturnal emission,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Palpitations, Insomnia, Night sweats, Anxiety, Tinnitus, Dizziness,

Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Lower back pain, Knee pain,

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Poor memory, Forgetfulness

4 variations documented
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

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

Heart and Spleen Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Forgetfulness, Poor memory

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 poor memory

Forgetfulness

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Forgetfulness

Along with: Frequent urination, Urinary incontinence, Nocturnal emission, Absentmindness, Poor memory, Pediatric nocturnal enuresis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Poor memory

3 variations documented
Interior Wind
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Convulsions, Hand tremor, Dizziness, Paralysis, Coma, Tic disorder,

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs,

Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension,

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Poor memory

1 variation documented
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Essence Deficiency

Causes: Poor memory

1 variation documented
Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Deafness, Decreased mental sharpness, Retardation, Osteomalacia, Hair loss, Lower back pain,

Yang Excess

Causes: Poor memory

1 variation documented
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension,

Heat

Causes: Poor memory

1 variation documented
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with poor memory

Poor memory

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Lower back pain, Knee pain,

Herbal Formulas for Poor Memory

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address poor memory

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Yin Deficiency Wind Yang Excess Heat

Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Blood Deficiency Yin Deficiency Heat

E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Wind Blood Deficiency Yang Excess

Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Blood Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Wind Yang Excess

Zuo Gui Wan

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Gui Pi Tang

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Blood Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Wind Yang Excess

Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan

Addresses these poor memory patterns:

Essence Deficiency Yin Deficiency