Daytime sweating 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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Daytime sweating 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 daytime sweating 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 daytime sweating is often associated with loose stools, frequent colds or flu and listlessness in the pattern “Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause daytime sweating.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of daytime sweating 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 daytime sweating.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause daytime sweating
In Chinese Medicine daytime sweating 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.
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 daytime sweating, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include loose stools, frequent colds or flu and listlessness.
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 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 daytime sweating, other symptoms associated with Lung Qi Deficiency include coughing, weak voice and aversion to speak.
Lung 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 daytime sweating
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 daytime sweating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which daytime sweating is a symptom.
Jiu Xian San
Source date: Yuan dynasty
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.
Why might Jiu Xian San help with daytime sweating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which spontaneous daytime sweating 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 daytime sweating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which daytime sweating is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat daytime sweating
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with daytime sweating?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat daytime sweating 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 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with daytime sweating?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat daytime sweating 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 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 daytime sweating?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat daytime sweating as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu Jun Zi 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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with daytime sweating?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat daytime sweating as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
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 Poppy Capsule (Ying Su Ke) help with daytime sweating?
Because it is a key herb in Jiu Xian San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with daytime sweating as a symptom)
Poppy Capsules is a Neutral herb that tastes Pungent and Sour. It targets the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Astringes the Lungs, Astringes the Intestines. Stops pain.
Other symptoms often associated with daytime sweating
Loose stools Frequent colds or flu Listlessness Coughing Weak voice Aversion to speak Shortness of breath Frequent urination Palpitations Amenorrhea