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.
Aversion to speak 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 aversion to speak 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 aversion to speak is often associated with shortness of breath, palpitations and weak voice in the pattern “Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause aversion to speak.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of aversion to speak we’ve identified four 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 aversion to speak.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause aversion to speak
In Chinese Medicine aversion to speak is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
In addition to aversion to speak, other symptoms associated with Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, palpitations and weak voice.
Lung and Heart 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".
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
The Lungs govern Qi and respiration. In case of Lung Qi Deficiency, Qi's protecting, dispersing and descending function can not be performed properly.
In addition to aversion to speak, other symptoms associated with Lung Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and pale face.
Lung Qi Deficiency is often treated with Ba Zhen Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Ba Zhen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and augments Qi".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Vessel obstructed
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Knotted (Jie), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to aversion to speak, other symptoms associated with Heart Vessel obstructed include shortness of breath, palpitations and depression.
Heart Vessel obstructed is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
Four herbal formulas that might help with aversion to speak
Bao Yuan Tang
Why might Bao Yuan Tang help with aversion to speak?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency' of which aversion to speak is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung And Heart Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, palpitations and weak voice.
Ba Zhen Tang
Source date: 1326 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and augments Qi. Tonifies and augments Blood.
Why might Ba Zhen Tang help with aversion to speak?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which aversion to speak is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and pale face.
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Channels. Disperses Cold. Nourishes the Blood. Unblocks the Blood vessels.
Why might Dang Gui Si Ni Tang help with aversion to speak?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which aversion to speak is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heart Vessel Obstructed include shortness of breath, palpitations and depression.
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 aversion to speak?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency' of which aversion to speak is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung And Heart Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, palpitations and weak voice.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat aversion to speak
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with aversion to speak?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to speak as a symptom, like Bao Yuan Tang or Si Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with aversion to speak?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to speak as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Ba Zhen Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with aversion to speak?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to speak as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Ba Zhen Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with aversion to speak?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to speak as a symptom, like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang or Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with aversion to speak?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to speak as a symptom, like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang or Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Other symptoms often associated with aversion to speak
Shortness of breath Palpitations Weak voice Depression Frequent sighing Poor appetite Weak Limbs Vertigo Pale face Pale lips