Anorexia 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.
Anorexia can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like anorexia here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here anorexia is often associated with fatigue, pale complexion and weak voice in the pattern “Spleen Qi Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of anorexia we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat anorexia.
Spleen Qi Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause anorexia
In Chinese Medicine anorexia is a symptom for the pattern "Spleen Qi Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
Spleen Qi Deficiency is one of the most commonly seen TCM pattern. It is caused by unhealthy diet such as fat raw or cold food, bad eating habit, emotional stress or damp environment. It is the central pattern to all other Spleen disharmonies, because many other Deficiency patterns derive from it.
In addition to anorexia, other symptoms associated with Spleen Qi Deficiency include fatigue, pale complexion and weak voice.
Spleen Qi Deficiency is often treated with Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Si Jun Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi".
Three herbal formulas that might help with anorexia
Si Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Si Jun Zi Tang help with anorexia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which anorexia is a symptom.
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Why might Liu Jun Zi Tang help with anorexia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which anorexia is a symptom.
Fei Er Wan
Source date: 1156 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Kills parasites. Reduces accumulation. Strengthens the Spleen. Clears Heat.
Why might Fei Er Wan help with anorexia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which anorexia is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat anorexia
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with anorexia?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anorexia as a symptom)
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with anorexia?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anorexia as a symptom)
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with anorexia?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anorexia as a symptom)
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with anorexia?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anorexia as a symptom)
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with anorexia?
Because it is a key herb in Liu Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anorexia as a symptom)
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Other symptoms often associated with anorexia
Dysentery Vomiting Diarrhea Fatigue Diabetes Abdominal pain Miscarriage Dysphagia Morning sickness Infertility