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, myasthenia gravis 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 myasthenia gravis 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 myasthenia gravis alone. Indeed if myasthenia gravis 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 myasthenia gravis 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 four formulas that can help treat Heart and Spleen Deficiency.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
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
Myasthenia gravis 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.
The top herbs in Gui Pi Tang are Ginseng (Ren Shen), Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) and Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Heart and Spleen Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with myasthenia gravis. 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).
The top herbs in Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan are Milkvetch Seeds (Sha Yuan Zi), Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi) and Lotus Stamens (Lian Xu)
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Stabilizes the Kidneys. Binds up the semen.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myasthenia gravis. 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 Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) and Wild Ginger (Xi Xin)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Tonifes the Yang. Releases the Exterior.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myasthenia gravis. 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 Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang are White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) and Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Blood and augments the Yin. Moderates painful spasms. Alleviates pain.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myasthenia gravis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Forgetfulness Palpitations Insomnia Fatigue Poor appetite Pale complexion Abnormal uterine bleeding Menorrhagia Anxiety