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, weak voice and palpitations in the pattern “Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record four 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 four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause aversion to speak
In Chinese Medicine aversion to speak 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 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, weak voice and palpitations.
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".
Ginseng (Ren Shen) is the king ingredient for Si Jun Zi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency
Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Qi Deficiency simply means lack of Qi. It includes the lack of Original Qi, Nutritive Qi, Defensive Qi or the Qi that resides in Organs or Channels. It mainly manifests itself in a weakened function of Organs and a declining ability of the body to resist diseases.
In addition to aversion to speak, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
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 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".
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Exterior Heat and Dryness invades the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. It eventually leads to Lung Yin Deficiency, if not intervened for a long time.
In addition to aversion to speak, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and tiredness.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Lung Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Lung Yin Deficiency is often treated with Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
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, weak voice and palpitations.
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 'Qi Deficiency' of which aversion to speak is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and palpitations.
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.
Mai Men Dong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Stomach. Generates Body Fluids. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Mai Men Dong Tang help with aversion to speak?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which aversion to speak is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung Yin Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and tiredness.
Acupuncture points used for aversion to speak
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 Liu Jun Zi 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 Liu Jun Zi 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 Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with aversion to speak?
Because Jujube Date is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to speak as a symptom, like Mai Men Dong Tang or Dang Gui Si Ni Tang for instance.
Jujube Dates is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula.
Other symptoms often associated with aversion to speak
Shortness of breath Weak voice Palpitations Poor appetite Pale face Coughing Frequent Colds or Flu Tiredness Spontaneous sweating Listlessness