Spontaneous Sweat in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different spontaneous sweat patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Spontaneous sweat, also known as self-sweating or unexplained perspiration, refers to sweating that occurs without obvious triggers such as physical exertion, high temperatures, or stress. It is a condition where the body produces sweat unexpectedly, often leading to discomfort and concern. This type of sweating can be mild to moderate and may happen at any time of the day, without a clear cause. While occasional spontaneous sweating can be normal, persistent episodes may indicate underlying health issues that require attention.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spontaneous sweat is viewed as a manifestation of internal imbalances within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which tends to treat symptoms in isolation, TCM considers the holistic picture and looks for patterns of disharmony.
Spontaneous sweat can be linked to various patterns such as Qi Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Qi Stagnation, or Blood Deficiency. Identifying the correct pattern is essential for effective treatment, as each pattern requires a different therapeutic approach.
TCM Patterns for Spontaneous Sweat
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Spontaneous sweating
Heart Qi Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Pale face, Spontaneous sweat, Generalized fatigue
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Frequent colds or flu, Generalized fatigue, Palpitations, Depression, Spontaneous sweat, Sighing
Protective Qi Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Spontaneous sweat, Recurrent colds, Bright pale face, Pale tongue
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Qi Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of breath
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs, Diarrhea, Obesity, Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Spontaneous sweat, Dislike of speaking, Frequent colds or flu, Aversion to cold
Qi Deficiency Fever
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion, Spontaneous sweat, Aversion to cold, Craving for hot beverages, Chronic hepatitis, Arrhythmia, Hypertension, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic rhinitis, Mouth ulcers
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia, Thin menstrual blood, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Spontaneous sweat
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Irritability, Spontaneous sweat, Eye hyperemia, Dry mouth, Palpitations, Lower abdominal oppression, Painful urination, Excessive menstruation, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Tidal fever
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Spontaneous sweating
Heart Yang Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Generalized fatigue, Spontaneous sweat, Slight feeling of stuffiness in the heart, Chills, Cold hands, Bright pale face, Dark lips
Lung Yang Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue, Shortness of breath, Absence of thirst, Wheezing, Weak voice
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Spontaneous sweating
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Irritability, Spontaneous sweat, Eye hyperemia, Dry mouth, Palpitations, Lower abdominal oppression, Painful urination, Excessive menstruation, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Tidal fever
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Spontaneous sweating
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations, Dizziness, Poor memory, Insomnia, Dislike of speaking, Loss of appetite, Limb numbness, Skin numbness
Qi Sinking
Causes: Spontaneous sweating
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Uterine prolapse, Prolapsed bladder, Stomach prolapse, Nephroptosis, Anus prolapse, Bearing down sensation in abdomen, Hemorrhoids, Chronic diarrhea, Frequent and urgent urination, Urinary incontinence, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Intestines prolapse, Vaginal prolapse
Heat
Causes: Spontaneous sweating
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat
Spontaneous sweating
Along with: Irritability, Spontaneous sweat, Eye hyperemia, Dry mouth, Palpitations, Lower abdominal oppression, Painful urination, Excessive menstruation, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Tidal fever
Herbal Formulas for Spontaneous Sweat
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address spontaneous sweat
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
- Tonifies Spleen
- Clears Deficient Heat
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Spontaneous sweat, Eye hyperemia, Dry mouth, Palpitations, Lower abdominal oppression...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency Fever
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion, Spontaneous sweat, Aversion to cold, Craving for hot beverages, Chronic hepatitis, Arrhythmia...
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Uterine prolapse, Prolapsed bladder, Stomach prolapse, Nephroptosis, Anus prolapse, Bearing down sensation in abdomen...
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...
Gui Pi Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Si Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Frequent colds or flu...
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue...
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...
Ba Zhen Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and augments Qi
- Tonifies and augments Blood
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Guo Qi Yin
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the menses
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Restores the pulse
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
He Che Da Zao Wan
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
- Regulates the periods
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia...
Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Rectifies relationship between Yin and Yang
- Harmonizes Heart and Kidney
- Stabilizes and secures Essence
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Heart Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Generalized fatigue, Spontaneous sweat, Slight feeling of stuffiness in the heart, Chills...
Du Shen Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Original Qi
- Stabilizes from collapse
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Uterine prolapse, Prolapsed bladder, Stomach prolapse, Nephroptosis, Anus prolapse, Bearing down sensation in abdomen...
Bao Yuan Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi and warms the Yang
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Pale face, Spontaneous sweat, Generalized fatigue
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Frequent colds or flu...
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Strengthens the Stomach
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind and clear anxiety
- Nourish the Heart Blood
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Pale face, Spontaneous sweat, Generalized fatigue
Sheng Mai San
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments Qi
- Supplies the Yin
- Stops excessive sweating
- Generates Body Fluids
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Frequent colds or flu, Pale face, Generalized fatigue...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Pale face, Spontaneous sweat, Generalized fatigue
Yu Ping Feng San
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Stabilizes the Exterior
- Stops sweating
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Protective Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Spontaneous sweat, Recurrent colds, Bright pale face, Pale tongue
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these spontaneous sweat patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Addresses These Spontaneous Sweat Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Spontaneous sweating
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...