Restlessness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different restlessness patterns according to TCM theory

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13
TCM Patterns
78
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 13 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each restlessness pattern
Classical remedies 78 herbal formulas documented

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), restlessness is not seen as a singular symptom with a one-size-fits-all cause. Instead, TCM views restlessness as a manifestation of various underlying patterns of disharmony within the body. These patterns could stem from imbalances in the body's Yin and Yang, the Stagnation of Qi, or the presence of excess Heat. Identifying the specific pattern causing restlessness is essential for effective treatment, as different patterns require different therapeutic approaches.

TCM Patterns for Restlessness

Heat

Causes: Restlessness, Restlnessness, Fidgeting

21 variations documented
Heat in the Blood
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness, Restlnessness

Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia,

Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Lower abdominal distension, Lower abdominal fullness, Hematuria

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in Uterus Blood
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness, Fidgeting

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Full-Heat in the Small Intestine
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Restlessness, Insomnia, Tongue ulcers, Mouth ulcers, Throat pain, Deafness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Half Exterior Half Interior
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Chest distension, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dry cough, Anxiety, Restlessness, Vomit,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart Fire blazing
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Thirst, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Restlessness, Anxiety,

Heat in Nutritive Qi level
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Nighttime fever, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Restlessness, Insomnia, Delirium, Incoherent or confused speech,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat victorious agitating Blood
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Restlessness, High fever, Mania, Macules, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Pericardium Fire
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Thirst, Mouth ulcers,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Heat
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression

Stomach Heat or Fire
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Upper abdominal burning pain, Excessive thirst, Craving for cold beverages, Restlessness, Dry stools, Dry mouth,

Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Vulvar itching, Yellow vaginal discharge, Painful intercourse, Irritability, Insomnia, Dark urine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat invading the Pericardium
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Fever, Irritability, Restlessness, Feeling of uneasiness, Incoherent or confused speech, Loss of consciousness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Restlessness, Restlnessness, Fidgeting

8 variations documented
Yin Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

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

Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness, Fidgeting

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Heart Yin Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

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

Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

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

Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Low grade fever in the afternoon, Heat sensation in palms,

Kidney-Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus,

Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Palpitations, Poor memory, Lower back pain,

Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory, Night sweats, Anxiety, Tinnitus,

Mind Disturbance

Causes: Restlnessness

6 variations documented
Heart Fire blazing
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Thirst, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Restlessness, Anxiety,

Heat victorious agitating Blood
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Restlessness, High fever, Mania, Macules, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Pericardium Fire
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Thirst, Mouth ulcers,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Heat invading the Pericardium
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Fever, Irritability, Restlessness, Feeling of uneasiness, Incoherent or confused speech, Loss of consciousness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Causes: Restlessness, Restlnessness

5 variations documented
Blood Stagnation
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness, Restlessness

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails,

Heart Vessel obstructed
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain,

Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Restlnessness

4 variations documented
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Feeling of heaviness, Muscle pain, Lack of sweating, Absence of thirst, Profuse white sputum, Swollen limbs,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm-Heat
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression

Dampness

Causes: Restlessness

2 variations documented
Damp-Heat
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Damp-Heat in the Liver Channel
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Vulvar itching, Yellow vaginal discharge, Painful intercourse, Irritability, Insomnia, Dark urine,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Restlessness

1 variation documented
Heart Blood Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

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

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Restlnessness, Restlessness

1 variation documented
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness, Restlessness

Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails,

Yin Collapse

Causes: Restlnessness

1 variation documented
Collapse of Yin
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Low grade fever, Night sweats, Restlessness, Dry mouth with desire to sip liquids, Heat sensation in palms, Flushed cheekbones,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Restlnessness

1 variation documented
Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys caused by Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Irritability, Restlessness, Severe heart palpitations, Cold sensation in lower limbs, Insomnia, Anxiety,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Rebellion

Causes: Restlnessness

1 variation documented
Rebellious Qi
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Hiccups, Belching, Nausea, Vomit, Coughing, Asthma

Yang Excess

Causes: Restlnessness

1 variation documented
Yang Excess or Full Yang
How it presents with restlessness

Restlnessness

Along with: Feeling of heat, Hyperactivity, Lack of sweating, Heat intolerance, Constipation

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Restlessness

1 variation documented
Summer-Heat entering the Lesser Yin and Terminal Yin warps
How it presents with restlessness

Restlessness

Along with: Wasting, Thirst, Cardiac burning sensation, Irritability, Paralysis, Loss of consciousness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Restlessness

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address restlessness

Xiao Yao San

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation Heat Dampness

Suan Zao Ren Tang

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Blood Deficiency Heat Yin Deficiency

Wen Dan Tang

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Zhi Bao Dan

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Hui Chun Dan

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Sheng Tie Luo Yin

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Phlegm

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Heat Dampness

Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan

Addresses these restlessness patterns:

Blood Stasis Qi Stagnation