Neurasthenia 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.
Neurasthenia factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Symptoms: Vertigo Tinnitus Night sweats and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Symptoms: Asthma Dysuria Coughing and eight other symptoms
Recommended formula: Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
In Chinese Medicine, neurasthenia 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 neurasthenia can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's neurasthenia 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 neurasthenia alone. For instance when neurasthenia is caused by the pattern Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, lightheadedness, vertigo and tinnitus. Similarly, patients with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with neurasthenia 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 five formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with neurasthenia, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The two "patterns of disharmony" associated with neurasthenia
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Symptoms: Vertigo Tinnitus Night sweats Lightheadedness Diminished hearing Chronic sore throat Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Neurasthenia might be due to Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, lightheadedness, vertigo and tinnitus. Similarly, patients with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Recommended herbal formula: Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Symptoms: Asthma Dysuria Coughing Impotence Spermatorrhea Frequent urination Persistent diarrhea Prostatic hypertrophy Spasms of the lower abdomen Cold in the lower extremities Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Neurasthenia might be due to Kidney Yang Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, cold in the lower extremities, impotence and spermatorrhea.
The five herbal formulas that might help with neurasthenia
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys.
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with neurasthenia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with neurasthenia. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with neurasthenia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Kidney Yang Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with neurasthenia. If it looks like you might suffer from Kidney Yang Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Rectifies relationship between Yin and Yang. Harmonizes Heart and Kidney. Stabilizes and secures Essence.
Why might Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang help with neurasthenia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with neurasthenia. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
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.
Why might Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang help with neurasthenia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with neurasthenia. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Bu Gan Tang
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and regulates the Blood. Nourishes the Liver Yin.
Why might Bu Gan Tang help with neurasthenia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with neurasthenia. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
