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.
Facial tics 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 facial tics 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 facial tics is often associated with tremor, numbness in the limbs and dizziness in the pattern “Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause facial tics.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of facial tics we’ve identified three 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 facial tics.
In Chinese Medicine facial tics 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 Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue color: Red
Liver Yang Rising can create Interior Wind if the condition is not treated for a long time. It can be divided to three categories based on the cause of the pattern: Liver Yin Deficiency, Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency or Liver Blood Deficiency.
In addition to facial tics, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising include tremor, numbness in the limbs and dizziness.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to 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)".
Read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising here
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 facial tics, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency include tremor, numbness in the limbs and dizziness.
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
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: 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 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising' of which facial tics is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Liver Yang Rising include tremor, numbness in the limbs and dizziness.
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 facial tics is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Liver Blood Deficiency include tremor, numbness in the limbs and dizziness.
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising' of which facial tics is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Liver Yang Rising include tremor, numbness in the limbs and dizziness.
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat facial tics as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Because Host-Wood Poria is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat facial tics as a symptom, like E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang or Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin for instance.
Host-Wood Poria is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Heart.
Its main actions are: Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination.
Because Water Plantain is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat facial tics as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat facial tics as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat facial tics as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Tremor Numbness in the limbs Dizziness Headaches Hypertension Dry throat Blurred vision Poor memory Insomnia Scanty periods