Rapid Breath in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different rapid breath patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Rapid breath, also known as fast breathing, rapid respiration, or tachypnea, is a condition characterized by an abnormally high breathing rate. This can occur due to various reasons, including physical exertion, anxiety, respiratory infections, or chronic pulmonary conditions. Rapid breath can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. It is important to identify the underlying cause of this condition to provide appropriate treatment and prevent potential complications.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), rapid breath is seen as a manifestation of underlying disharmonies within the body's systems. TCM practitioners believe that this symptom can result from various patterns of disharmony, such as Heat in the pericardium or Phlegm fire obstructing the Lungs. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on treating the symptom directly, TCM aims to identify and address the root cause of the imbalance. Accurate diagnosis of the specific pattern is crucial for effective treatment, as different patterns require different therapeutic approaches.
TCM Patterns for Rapid Breath
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause rapid breath
Pericardium Fire
Diagnostic signs
Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
red tongue with yellow coating. There is redder tip with swollen red points and midline crack until the tip.
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Diagnostic signs
Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Red and swollen tongue with yellow, dry and sticky coating. The tip may be redder with swollen red points. There may be also keep crack.
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Pericardium Fire
Diagnostic signs
Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
red tongue with yellow coating. There is redder tip with swollen red points and midline crack until the tip.
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Red and swollen tongue with yellow, dry and sticky coating. The tip may be redder with swollen red points. There may be also keep crack.
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Red and swollen tongue with yellow, dry and sticky coating. The tip may be redder with swollen red points. There may be also keep crack.
Accompanying symptoms you may experience
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Rapid Breath
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address rapid breath