Delirious speech 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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Delirious speech 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 delirious speech 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 delirious speech is often associated with fever, irritability and insomnia in the pattern “Heat in the Blood”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause delirious speech.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of delirious speech 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 delirious speech.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause delirious speech
In Chinese Medicine delirious speech is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to delirious speech, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include fever, irritability and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Heat in the Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang 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: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Bright Yang Stomach Heat
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu)
In addition to delirious speech, other symptoms associated with Bright Yang Stomach Heat include irritability, feeling of heat and high fever.
Bright Yang Stomach Heat is often treated with Bai Hu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Gypsum - Shi Gao - as a key herb). Bai Hu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear qi-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Qi-level Heat".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
In addition to delirious speech, other symptoms associated with Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines include irritability, abdominal pain and abdominal fullness.
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines is often treated with Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that purge heat accumulation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner".
Read more about Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines here
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 delirious speech, other symptoms associated with Heat in Nutritive Qi level include insomnia, fever at night and incoherent speech.
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".
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Heat in Pericardium
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
In addition to delirious speech, other symptoms associated with Heat in Pericardium include convulsions, fever at night and incoherent speech.
Heat in Pericardium 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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with delirious speech
Bai He Di Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Lungs. Enriches the Body Fluids. Clears Heat and cools the Blood .
Why might Bai He Di Huang Tang help with delirious speech?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which delirious speech is a symptom.
Bai Hu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Clears Qi-level Heat. Drains Stomach Fire. Generates fluids. Alleviates thirst.
Why might Bai Hu Tang help with delirious speech?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Bright Yang Stomach Heat' of which delirium is a symptom.
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner. Removes constipation.
Why might Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang help with delirious speech?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines' of which delirium 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 delirious speech?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Nutritive Qi level' of which delirium is a symptom.
Zhi Bao Dan
Source date: 1075
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Resolves toxicity. Transforms Phlegm .
Why might Zhi Bao Dan help with delirious speech?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Pericardium' of which delirium is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for delirious speech
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat delirious speech
Why might Water Buffalo Horn (Shui Niu Jiao) help with delirious speech?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat delirious speech and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat delirious speech as a symptom (such as Qing Ying Tang for instance).
Water Buffalo Horns is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Salty. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, drains Fire and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears Heat and Fire and stops tremors and convulsions. Cools Fire and expels toxins.
Why might Ox Gallstone (Niu Huang) help with delirious speech?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat delirious speech and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat delirious speech as a symptom (such as Zhi Bao Dan for instance).
Ox Gallstones is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and Detoxifies. Calms Liver-Wind. As an aromatic it opens the cavities to expel phlegm.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with delirious speech?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat delirious speech as a symptom, like Bai Hu Tang or Tiao Wei Cheng Qi 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 delirious speech?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat delirious speech as a symptom, like Wu Ling San or Er Chen 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 Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with delirious speech?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat delirious speech as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
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.
Other symptoms often associated with delirious speech
Fever Irritability Insomnia Convulsions Amenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Abdominal pain Feeling of heat Fever at night Incoherent speech