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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Fatigue 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 fatigue 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 fatigue is often associated with dizziness, poor appetite and loose stools in the pattern “Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause fatigue.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of fatigue 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 fatigue.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause fatigue
In Chinese Medicine fatigue 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.
Ginseng (Ren Shen) is the king ingredient for Si Jun Zi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency
Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Qi Deficiency simply means lack of Qi. It includes the lack of Original Qi, Nutritive Qi, Defensive Qi or the Qi that resides in Organs or Channels. It mainly manifests itself in a weakened function of Organs and a declining ability of the body to resist diseases.
In addition to fatigue, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include dizziness, poor appetite and loose stools.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
Qi Deficiency is often treated with Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Si Jun Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to fatigue, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, poor appetite and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen 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: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Thin
Heart Blood Deficiency hurts the Mind (神 Shen) and it causes insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety, poor memory, dizziness and tendency to be scared. It can be caused by Deficient Spleen Qi that fails to produce Blood, long-term anxiety and worry, a severe blood loss and excessive workload.
In addition to fatigue, other symptoms associated with Heart Blood Deficiency include dizziness, palpitations and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heart Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Postpartum Depression.
Heart 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 Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo), Floating (Fu)
Tongue color: Pale, Red
In addition to fatigue, other symptoms associated with Kidney Deficiency include dizziness, pale face and tinnitus.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Kidney Deficiency is often treated with You Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). You Gui 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 tonifies Kidney Yang".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to fatigue, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include dizziness, poor appetite and loose stools.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu 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: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
Five herbal formulas that might help with fatigue
Si Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Si Jun Zi Tang help with fatigue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which fatigue is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Why might Liu Jun Zi Tang help with fatigue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which fatigue is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with fatigue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which fatigue is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with fatigue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Blood Deficiency' of which fatigue is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Heart Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Postpartum Depression.
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with fatigue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Deficiency' of which fatigue is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Acupuncture points used for fatigue
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat fatigue
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with fatigue?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat fatigue and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat fatigue as a symptom (such as Bao Yuan Tang for instance).
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with fatigue?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat fatigue and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat fatigue as a symptom (such as Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance).
Jujube Dates is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula.
Why might Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with fatigue?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat fatigue and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat fatigue as a symptom (such as You Gui Wan for instance).
Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang.
Why might Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong) help with fatigue?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat fatigue and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat fatigue as a symptom (such as You Gui 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.
Why might Codonopsis Root (Dang Shen) help with fatigue?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat fatigue and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat fatigue as a symptom (such as Wen Jing Tang for instance).
Codonopsis Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi. Assists in the secretion of Bodily Fluids.
Other symptoms often associated with fatigue
Dizziness Poor appetite Loose stools Palpitations Scanty periods Insomnia Depression Pale face Tinnitus Feeling of cold