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.
Epilepsy 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 epilepsy 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 epilepsy is often associated with depression, irritability and schizophrenia in the pattern “Phlegm Misting the Heart”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of epilepsy we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Phlegm Misting the Heart, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause epilepsy
In Chinese Medicine epilepsy is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm Misting the Heart". Below is a small explanation for it 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), Wiry (Xian)
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 epilepsy, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Misting the Heart include depression, irritability and schizophrenia.
Phlegm Misting the Heart is often treated with Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Ox Gallstones - Niu Huang - as a key herb). Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity".
A herbal formula that might help with epilepsy
Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan
Source date: 1568 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity. Calms the Mind. Opens up the Orifices.
Why might Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan help with epilepsy?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which epilepsy is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm Misting The Heart include depression, irritability and schizophrenia.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat epilepsy
Why might Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) help with epilepsy?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat epilepsy and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat epilepsy as a symptom (such as Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan for instance).
Cinnabar is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart.
Its main actions are: Calms the spirit and Heart. Stops convulsions. Clears Heat and toxins.
Why might Turmeric Tuber (Yu Jin) help with epilepsy?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat epilepsy and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat epilepsy as a symptom (such as Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan for instance).
Turmeric Tubers is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood, breaks Stasis and reduces associated pain. Regulates the Liver and relieves patterns of Stagnant Qi with pain. Clears the Heart and Cools the Blood. Relieves Stagnation and clears Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder. Relieves jaundice.
Why might Ox Gallstone (Niu Huang) help with epilepsy?
Because it is a key herb in Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' (a pattern with epilepsy as a symptom)
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 Gastrodia Rhizome (Tian Ma) help with epilepsy?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat epilepsy as can be seen on Gastrodia Rhizome's page.
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 Black Pepper (Hu Jiao) help with epilepsy?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat epilepsy as can be seen on Black Pepper's page.
Black Pepper is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Stomach and the Large intestine.
Its main actions are: Warm the body core and dissipates cold, subdues upward Qi flow and eliminates phlegm
Other symptoms often associated with epilepsy
Dizziness Vomiting Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Insomnia Restlessness Convulsions Depression Irritability Amenorrhea