Early stage schizophrenia according to Chinese Medicine
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, early stage schizophrenia is sometimes associated with Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, 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 early stage schizophrenia might be caused by the pattern Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from early stage schizophrenia alone. Indeed if early stage schizophrenia is caused by Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, patients also experience symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, dizziness or vertigo, dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with yellow coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat so that you can have a better understanding of where early stage schizophrenia 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 two formulas that can help treat Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat.
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with early stage schizophrenia
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Wen Dan Tang
Symptoms: Anxiety Palpitations Slight thirst Nausea or vomiting Dizziness or vertigo Bitter taste in the mouth Indeterminate gnawing hunger Focal distention of the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum Dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams
Early stage schizophrenia might be due to Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, dizziness or vertigo, dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat here
The two herbal formulas that might help with early stage schizophrenia
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with early stage schizophrenia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with early stage schizophrenia. If it looks like you might suffer from Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1852 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Hot Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder Heat. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang help with early stage schizophrenia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with early stage schizophrenia. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
