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.
Dizziness 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 dizziness 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 dizziness is often associated with insomnia, scanty periods and blurred vision in the pattern “Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause dizziness.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dizziness 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 dizziness.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause dizziness
In Chinese Medicine dizziness 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.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Someone has a Deficiency of Blood when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood.
This can be caused by blood-loss, a lack of of Spleen Qi (responsible to produce Blood) or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include insomnia, scanty periods and blurred vision.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Blood Deficiency is often treated with Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Si Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores and nourishes Blood".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency include insomnia, scanty periods and blurred vision.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency is often treated with E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Donkey-Hide Gelatin - E Jiao - as a key herb). E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang 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: "Nourishes Yin".
Read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency here
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Thick coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Stiff
The invasion of Exterior Wind-Heat leads to this pattern and it then transforms to Interior Wind and Heat.
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat include convulsions, tremor and coma.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat 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".
Read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat here
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney-Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms associated with Kidney-Deficiency include scanty periods, tinnitus and sore back.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney-Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Scanty Menstruation.
Kidney-Deficiency is often treated with Dang Gui Di Huang Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Dang Gui Di Huang Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Blood".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency include insomnia, tinnitus and blurred vision.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Vaginal Itching.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
Five herbal formulas that might help with dizziness
Da Bu Yuan Jian
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yin and Blood. Nourishes Qi and Yang.
Why might Da Bu Yuan Jian help with dizziness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which dizziness is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Source date: 1640 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Blood. Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin. Regulates the menstrual cycle.
Why might Dang Gui Di Huang Yin help with dizziness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney-Deficiency' of which dizziness is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney-Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Source date: the Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin. Nourishes Blood. Calms the Liver. Extinguishes Wind.
Why might E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang help with dizziness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency' of which dizziness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Liver Blood Deficiency include insomnia, scanty periods and blurred vision.
Tiao Gan Tang
Why might Tiao Gan Tang help with dizziness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which dizziness is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
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 dizziness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat' of which dizziness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Extreme Heat include convulsions, tremor and coma.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dizziness
Why might Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong) help with dizziness?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dizziness and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dizziness as a symptom (such as Da Bu Yuan Jian for instance).
Eucommia Bark is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus.
Why might Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao) help with dizziness?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dizziness and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dizziness as a symptom (such as E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang for instance).
Donkey-Hide Gelatin is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies and nourishes Blood. Stops bleeding. Moistens and lubricates Yin.
Why might Gastrodia Rhizome (Tian Ma) help with dizziness?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dizziness and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dizziness as a symptom (such as Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin for instance).
Gastrodia Rhizomes is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Calms Liver Wind. Sedates Liver Yang and relieves convulsions. Relieves Wind and stops pain.
Why might Gambir Stem And Thorn (Gou Teng) help with dizziness?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dizziness and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dizziness as a symptom (such as Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin 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.
Why might Chinese Gentian (Long Dan Cao) help with dizziness?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat dizziness and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat dizziness as a symptom (such as Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance).
Chinese Gentian is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind.
Other symptoms often associated with dizziness
Insomnia Scanty periods Tinnitus Blurred vision Palpitations Depression Night sweats Dry mouth Dry throat Irritability