Aphasia 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.
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Aphasia 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 aphasia 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 aphasia is often associated with incoherent speech, coma and mental confusion in the pattern “Phlegm Misting the Heart”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause aphasia.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of aphasia we’ve identified five 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 aphasia.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause aphasia
In Chinese Medicine aphasia is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Misting the Heart
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is a condition where Phlegm enters the Heart and disturbs the Mind (Shen).
In addition to aphasia, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Misting the Heart include incoherent speech, coma and mental confusion.
Phlegm Misting the Heart is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Phlegm".
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Qing Ying Tang, a formula used for Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
In addition to aphasia, other symptoms associated with Heat in Nutritive Qi level include incoherent speech, insomnia and fever at night.
Heat in Nutritive Qi level is often treated with Qing Ying Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Qing Ying Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears the Nutritive level Heat".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, a formula used for Wind-Phlegm
Wind-Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating
Tongue shape: Deviated, Swollen
Wind-Phlegm is when Phlegm invades the Channels and sensory orifices, leading to such symptoms as dizziness, vertigo, or headache.
In addition to aphasia, other symptoms associated with Wind-Phlegm include rattling sound in the throat, feeling of oppression of the chest and chest pain.
Wind-Phlegm is often treated with Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that transform phlegm and extinguish wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries and dissolves Phlegm".
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to aphasia, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium include incoherent speech, insomnia and coma.
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Phlegm".
Five herbal formulas that might help with aphasia
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 aphasia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which aphasia is a symptom.
Qing Ying Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears the Nutritive level Heat. Relieves Fire Toxin. Removes Heat. Nourishes Yin.
Why might Qing Ying Tang help with aphasia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Nutritive Qi level' of which aphasia is a symptom.
Di Tan Tang
Source date: 1470 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Removes Phlegm. Opens the sensory orifices. Tonifies Qi.
Why might Di Tan Tang help with aphasia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which aphasia is a symptom.
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Dries and dissolves Phlegm. Strengthens the Spleen. Smoothes the Liver and calms Liver Wind (antispasmodic).
Why might Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang help with aphasia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Wind-Phlegm' of which aphasia is a symptom.
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 aphasia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium' of which aphasia is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for aphasia
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat aphasia
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with aphasia?
Because it is a key herb in Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' (a pattern with aphasia as a symptom)
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Bamboo Shaving (Zhu Ru) help with aphasia?
Because it is a key herb in Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' (a pattern with aphasia as a symptom)
Bamboo Shavings is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Gallbladder, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. Clears Heat in the Stomach and stops vomiting. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding.
Why might Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi) help with aphasia?
Because it is a key herb in Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' (a pattern with aphasia as a symptom)
Immature Bitter Oranges is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter, Pungent and Sour. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Large intestine.
Its main actions are: Regulates the flow of Qi in the Middle Burner and reduces Food Stagnation. Moves Qi downward and helps constipation. Reduces Stagnant Phlegm and lessens distention and pain. For prolapse of organs when used with the appropriate herbs.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with aphasia?
Because it is a key herb in Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' (a pattern with aphasia 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.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with aphasia?
Because it is a key herb in Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' (a pattern with aphasia 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.
Other symptoms often associated with aphasia
Incoherent speech Insomnia Coma Mental confusion Red face Rattling sound in the throat Dream disturbed sleep Muttering to oneself Feeling of oppression of the chest Fever at night