Vertigo in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different vertigo patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Vertigo is a medical condition characterized by a false sensation of movement or spinning. Individuals with vertigo often feel as if they or their surroundings are in motion when there is no actual movement, leading to a significant imbalance.
This disconcerting feeling is not merely dizziness; it's a distinct sensation of rotation, often accompanied by nausea and difficulty standing or walking. Sub-symptoms like Alcohol-Induced Vertigo and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo are specific instances under the vertigo umbrella, each with triggers and characteristics that differentiate them from general dizziness.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives vertigo not as a single symptom but as a sign of imbalance within the body's systems. TCM identifies the root patterns causing vertigo, which may stem from internal disharmonies such as Yin Deficiency or Phlegm obstruction.
The focus is on restoring balance by addressing these underlying patterns, which is why recognizing the specific disharmony is crucial before any treatment begins.
TCM Patterns for Vertigo
Phlegm
Causes: Vertigo, Dizziness or vertigo
Phlegm
Vertigo
Along with: Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Wind-Phlegm
Dizziness or vertigo
Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Dizziness or vertigo
Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Generalized fatigue, Diarrhea, Dull pale complexion, Obesity, Infertility, Ovarian cysts, Ovarian fibroids, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Pseudocyesis, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Dizziness or vertigo
Along with: Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Shortness of breath, Hypochondriac distention
Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium
Vertigo
Along with: Cough with chest pain, Upper abdominal focal distention, Dry heaving, Shortness of breath, Headaches, Pericardial effusion, Pneumonia, Ascites due to liver cirrhosis, Nephritis
Phlegm in the Lower Burner
Vertigo
Along with: Throbbing below the belly button, Vomiting frothy saliva, Shortness of breath, Coughing, Edema, Glomerulonephritis, Kidney infection, Nephrotic syndrome, Cystitis, Hydrocele
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Dizziness or vertigo
Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Copious thick yellow sputum
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Vertigo
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Vertigo
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
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
Vertigo
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Loss of appetite, Irregular periods, Leukorrhea
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Vertigo
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Vertigo
Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Vertigo
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility, Melasma
Wind
Causes: Vertigo, Dizziness or vertigo
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Vertigo
Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Wind-Phlegm
Dizziness or vertigo
Along with: Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Vertigo
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Vertigo
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
Yang Excess
Causes: Vertigo
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Vertigo
Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension, Dry throat, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Dizziness or vertigo
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Dizziness or vertigo
Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Copious thick yellow sputum
Dampness
Causes: Dizziness or vertigo
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Dizziness or vertigo
Along with: Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Generalized fatigue, Diarrhea, Dull pale complexion, Obesity, Infertility, Ovarian cysts, Ovarian fibroids, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Pseudocyesis, Sputum, Feeling of heaviness
Heat
Causes: Dizziness or vertigo
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Dizziness or vertigo
Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Copious thick yellow sputum
Herbal Formulas for Vertigo
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address vertigo
Wen Dan Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
How it manifests:
Dizziness or vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger...
Ba Zhen Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and augments Qi
- Tonifies and augments Blood
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Qi and Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Generalized fatigue, Weak voice, Pale face, Shortness of breath, Palpitations...
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes wind
- Invigorates the blood
- Clears heat
- Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Hypertension...
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Dries and dissolves Phlegm
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Soothes the Liver and calms Liver Wind (antispasmodic)
- Clear Dampness
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Wind-Phlegm
How it manifests:
Dizziness or vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest, Aphasia, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Noisy breathing, Limb numbness
Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Resolves Damp-Phlegm
- Nourishes Blood
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Dizziness or vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Removes Dampness
- Moves Qi
- Alleviates pain
- Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach,
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Dizziness or vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Late menstruation, Amenorrhea, Scanty menstruation, Lower abdominal pain, Abdominal heaviness, Stifling sensation in the chest...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
How it manifests:
Dizziness or vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Shortness of breath, Hypochondriac distention
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Xiao Ban Xia Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Alleviates and removes thin mucus
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Stops vomiting
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Phlegm
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Stifling sensation in the chest, Head fog, Dizziness
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yin
- Drains Fire
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Shi Zao Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Purges and drives out Phlegm-Fluids
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids in the chest and hypochondrium
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Cough with chest pain, Upper abdominal focal distention, Dry heaving, Shortness of breath, Headaches, Pericardial effusion...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Wu Ling San
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Promotes urination,
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Promotes Qi transformation function
- Drains Dampness
- Clears edema
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Phlegm in the Lower Burner
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Throbbing below the belly button, Vomiting frothy saliva, Shortness of breath, Coughing, Edema, Glomerulonephritis...
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Beautifies hair
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Addresses these vertigo patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver
- Enriches the Kidneys
- Improves the vision
Addresses These Vertigo Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Vertigo
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...