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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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 tinnitus, back pain and frequent urination in the pattern “Kidney Qi 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.
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.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Characterised by frequent urination as the most distinguishing symptom. Kidney Qi Deficiency can be a precursor of Heart Qi Deficiency.
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms associated with Kidney Qi Deficiency include tinnitus, back pain and frequent urination.
Kidney Qi Deficiency is often treated with Qing E Wan, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Eucommia Bark - Du Zhong - as a key herb). Qing E Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm yang and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and Reinforces Kidney Yang".
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for 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
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
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the king ingredient for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
When Yin Deficiency lasts for a long it may lead to Interior Heat
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms associated with Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency include insomnia, tinnitus and night sweats.
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Softshell Turtle Shells - Bie Jia - as a key herb). Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from deficiency", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin and clears Heat".
Read more about Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency here
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red
Long term Liver Yin Deficiency causes Liver Yang rising upwards. The treatment should be focused on subduing rising Yang as well as nourishing Liver Yin and Blood. It is also called Arrogant Liver Yang.
In addition to dizziness, other symptoms associated with Liver Yang Rising include insomnia, tinnitus and blurred vision.
Liver Yang Rising 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)".
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Qi Deficiency' of which dizziness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Qi Deficiency include tinnitus, back pain and frequent urination.
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yin and Blood. Nourishes Qi and Yang.
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.
Source date: the Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin. Nourishes Blood. Calms the Liver. Extinguishes Wind.
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.
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Causes Fire to descend. Eliminates irritability. Calms the spirit.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' of which dizziness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Empty-Heat Or Fire Caused By Yin Deficiency include insomnia, tinnitus and night sweats.
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.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which dizziness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Yang Rising include insomnia, tinnitus and blurred vision.
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 Qing E Wan 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.
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.
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.
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).
Abalone Shells is a Cold herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms ascending Liver Yang. Clears Liver Heat that is obstructing the vision.
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.
Insomnia Tinnitus Scanty periods Blurred vision Palpitations Depression Night sweats Irritability Poor appetite Fatigue