Coma 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.
fainting, loss of consciousness and unconsciousness redirect here
Coma 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 coma 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 coma is often associated with aphasia, mental confusion and incoherent speech in the pattern “Phlegm Misting the Heart”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause coma.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of coma 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 coma.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause coma
In Chinese Medicine coma is a symptom for 2 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 coma, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Misting the Heart include aphasia, mental confusion and incoherent speech.
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".
Gastrodia Rhizomes (Tian Ma) is the king ingredient for Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a formula used for Interior Wind
Interior Wind
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to coma, other symptoms associated with Interior Wind include convulsions, red face and insomnia.
Interior Wind is often treated with Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Gastrodia Rhizomes - Tian Ma - as a key herb). Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Calms the Liver".
Five herbal formulas that might help with coma
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 coma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which unconsciousness is a symptom.
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with coma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which coma is a symptom.
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Source date: 1958 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Calms the Liver. Extinguishes wind. Invigorates the blood. Clears heat. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys.
Why might Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin help with coma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which coma is a symptom.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with coma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which coma is a symptom.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with coma?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which coma is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for coma
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat coma
Why might Benzoin (An Xi Xiang) help with coma?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat coma and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat coma as a symptom (such as Zhi Bao Dan for instance).
Benzoin is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Opens the Orifices. Invigorate Blood and Qi.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with coma?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coma as a symptom, like Feng Yin Tang or E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang for instance.
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with coma?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coma as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan Tang for instance.
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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with coma?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coma as a symptom, like Bu Gan Tang or Si Wu Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
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 Gambir Stem And Thorn (Gou Teng) help with coma?
Because Gambir Stem And Thorn is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat coma as a symptom, like Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin or Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang for instance.
Gambir Stems And Thorns is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Calms Liver Wind and relieves spasms. Clears Liver Heat and sedates Liver Yang.
Other symptoms often associated with coma
Convulsions Aphasia Red face Mental confusion Incoherent speech Insomnia Dizziness Paralysis Rattling sound in the throat Muttering to oneself