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.
In Chinese Medicine, anxiety is sometimes associated with Heart and Spleen Deficiency, a 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" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's anxiety might be caused by the pattern Heart and Spleen Deficiency, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from anxiety alone. Indeed if anxiety is caused by Heart and Spleen Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as forgetfulness, palpitations, insomnia and fatigue. Similarly, patients with Heart and Spleen Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Heart and Spleen Deficiency so that you can have a better understanding of where anxiety might find its root 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 Gui Pi Tang, a formula that can help treat Heart and Spleen Deficiency.
Heart and Spleen Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with anxiety
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Heart and Spleen Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Gui Pi Tang
Symptoms: Fatigue Anxiety Insomnia Menorrhagia Palpitations Forgetfulness Poor appetite Pale complexion Abnormal uterine bleeding
Anxiety might be due to Heart and Spleen Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as forgetfulness, palpitations, insomnia and fatigue. Similarly, patients with Heart and Spleen Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula that might help with anxiety
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with anxiety?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heart and Spleen Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with anxiety. If it looks like you might suffer from Heart and Spleen Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to anxiety
Forgetfulness Palpitations Insomnia Fatigue Poor appetite Pale complexion Abnormal uterine bleeding Menorrhagia
