Sighing in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different sighing patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Sighing is a deep and prolonged inhalation followed by a slower exhalation, often involuntary and sometimes accompanied by sound. It's a common physical response to stress, fatigue, or frustration, serving as a natural regulator of emotional and physiological states.
While occasional sighing is normal and can even be a healthy way to express emotions or reset breathing patterns, frequent or excessive sighing might indicate underlying health concerns, ranging from anxiety and stress to more complex respiratory conditions.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets sighing as an indication of Qi (vital energy) stagnation, particularly involving the Liver and Heart. TCM posits that emotional upheaval, stress, or internal disharmony can disrupt the smooth flow of Qi, leading to its stagnation and resulting in frequent sighing.
This perspective underscores the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and energetic health in TCM, highlighting the importance of identifying and addressing the root cause of Qi Stagnation to alleviate symptoms like sighing.
TCM Patterns for Sighing
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Frequent sighing, Sighing
Heart Qi Stagnation
Frequent sighing
Along with: Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Depression
Liver Qi Stagnation
Frequent sighing, Sighing
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Irregular periods, Globus sensation, Pre menstrual breast distension, Pre menstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger, Melasma
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
Frequent sighing
Along with: Mild chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations, Depression, Irritability, Loss of appetite, Weak limbs, Cold extremities
Qi Stagnation
Frequent sighing
Along with: General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Frequent sighing
Gallbladder Deficiency
Frequent sighing
Along with: Timidity, Easily startled, Lack of courage, Indecision, Sighing, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Early awakening, Vivid dreaming
Liver Qi Deficiency
Frequent sighing
Along with: Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled, Lack of courage, Indecision, Sighing, Vivid dreaming, Depression, Irritability, Hypochondriac distention, Irregular periods, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, Abdominal distention
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
Frequent sighing
Along with: Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Frequent colds or flu, Generalized fatigue, Palpitations, Depression, Spontaneous sweat, Sighing
Qi Rebellion
Causes: Frequent sighing
Rebellious Liver Qi
Frequent sighing
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Hiccups, Sighing, Nausea or vomiting, Belching, Stomach churning, Irritability, Breast engorgement, Headaches, Dizziness
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
Frequent sighing
Along with: Irritability, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal oppression, Acid reflux, Hiccups, Belching, Nausea or vomiting, Sighing, Weak limbs
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Frequent sighing
Lung Yin Deficiency
Frequent sighing
Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Blood Stasis
Causes: Frequent sighing
Heart Vessel obstructed
Frequent sighing
Along with: Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain, Chest pain, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness, Dislike of speaking, Cold extremities, Sighing, Purple lips, Purple nails, Purple face
Heat
Causes: Frequent sighing
Damp-Heat
Frequent sighing
Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Feeling of heat, Feeling of heaviness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Acne
Dampness
Causes: Frequent sighing
Damp-Heat
Frequent sighing
Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst, Feeling of heat, Feeling of heaviness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Acne
Herbal Formulas for Sighing
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address sighing
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Rebellious Liver Qi
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Hiccups, Sighing, Nausea or vomiting, Belching...
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing, Sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Melancholia, Depression...
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst...
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates the flow of Qi,
- Clears Phlegm
- Treats esophageal spasm
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Dissipates clumps
- Relieves Stagnation
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Heart Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Depression
Pericardium Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Mild chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sighing, Throat lumps, Palpitations...
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal oppression...
Yi Huang Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Dries Dampness
- Clears Heat
- Stops vaginal discharge
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing, Sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Melancholia, Depression...
Liver Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled...
Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Si Mo Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Expands the chest and dissipates clumping
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal oppression...
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Gallbladder Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Timidity, Easily startled, Lack of courage, Indecision, Sighing, Dizziness...
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Unblocks the channels
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Wu Yao Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Moves Qi
- Stops pain
- Nourishes Liver Blood
- Eliminates Stagnation
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing, Sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Melancholia, Depression...
Si Ni San
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates Liver and Spleen
- Eliminates Internal Heat
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Rebellious Liver Qi
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Hiccups, Sighing, Nausea or vomiting, Belching...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled...
Di Tan Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Removes Phlegm
- Opens the sensory orifices
- Tonifies Qi
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Qi Ge San
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates Qi and removes Stagnation
- Moistens Dryness
- Transforms Phlegm
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
General fullness, Moving pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Sighing
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi
- Expectorant, treats hiccups
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal oppression...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Nervousness, Timidity, Easily startled...
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Channels
- Disperses Cold
- Nourishes the Blood
- Unblocks the Blood vessels
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Heart Vessel obstructed
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Shortness of breath, Depression, Restlessness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Heart pain...
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
- Tonifies Spleen
- Clears Deficient Heat
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing, Sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Melancholia, Depression...
Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Stops hiccup
- Augments Qi
- Clears heat
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal oppression...
Si Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Frequent colds or flu...
Yue Ju Wan
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing, Sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Melancholia, Depression...
Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
- Stops hiccup
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal oppression...
Bao Yuan Tang
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi and warms the Yang
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Frequent colds or flu...
Yi Guan Jian
Addresses these sighing patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Addresses These Sighing Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Frequent sighing, Sighing
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Melancholia, Depression...