The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Weak voice Loose stools Poor appetite and two other symptoms
Recommended formula: Liu Jun Zi Tang
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Focal distention and two other symptoms
Recommended formula: Liu Jun Zi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, anorexia can be associated with two so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here anorexia can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's anorexia might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from anorexia alone. For instance when anorexia is caused by the pattern Spleen Qi Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as pale complexion, weak voice, poor appetite and loose stools. Similarly, patients with Spleen Qi Deficiency typically exhibit soggy (Ru) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with anorexia so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below three formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with anorexia, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Liu Jun Zi Tang
Symptoms: Weak voice Loose stools Poor appetite Pale complexion Weakness in the limbs
Anorexia might be due to Spleen Qi Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as pale complexion, weak voice, poor appetite and loose stools. Similarly, patients with Spleen Qi Deficiency typically exhibit soggy (Ru) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Recommended herbal formula: Liu Jun Zi Tang
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Focal distention Coughing of copious thin and white sputum Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Anorexia might be due to Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium and focal distention.
The top herbs in Liu Jun Zi Tang are Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) and Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Spleen Qi Deficiency and Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner which are sometimes associated with anorexia. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Wei Ling Tang are Water Plantain (Ze Xie), Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with anorexia. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang are Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), Maltose (Yi Tang) and Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with anorexia. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).