Erratic behavior 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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Erratic behavior 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 erratic behavior 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 erratic behavior is often associated with muttering to oneself, coma and mental confusion in the pattern “Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause erratic behavior.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of erratic behavior 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 erratic behavior.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause erratic behavior
In Chinese Medicine erratic behavior 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.
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to erratic behavior, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium include muttering to oneself, coma and mental confusion.
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Phlegm".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to erratic behavior, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart include muttering to oneself, coma and mental confusion.
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart is often treated with Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Hot Phlegm".
Five herbal formulas that might help with erratic behavior
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with erratic behavior?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium' of which violent behaviour is a symptom.
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1852 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Hot Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder Heat. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang help with erratic behavior?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium' of which violent behaviour 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 erratic behavior?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium' of which violent behaviour is a symptom.
Hui Chun Dan
Source date: Late 18th century
Number of ingredients: 19 herbs
Key actions: Opens the sensory orifices. Arrests spasms and convulsions. Clears Heat and transforms Phlegm.
Why might Hui Chun Dan help with erratic behavior?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium' of which violent behaviour is a symptom.
Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 15 herbs
Key actions: Sedates the Heart . Clears Phlegm. Clears Fire. Calms the Mind.
Why might Sheng Tie Luo Yin help with erratic behavior?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart' of which violent behaviour is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for erratic behavior
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat erratic behavior
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with erratic behavior?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erratic behavior as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan 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 erratic behavior?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erratic behavior as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan 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 erratic behavior?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erratic behavior as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan 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.
Why might Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) help with erratic behavior?
Because Cinnabar is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erratic behavior as a symptom, like Sheng Tie Luo Yin or Zhi Bao Dan 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 Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with erratic behavior?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat erratic behavior as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Other symptoms often associated with erratic behavior
Muttering to oneself Coma Mental confusion Incoherent speech Aphasia Rattling sound in the throat Red face Dull eyes Sudden blackouts Paralysis