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.
Feeling of heaviness 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 feeling of heaviness 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 feeling of heaviness is often associated with dizziness, nausea and fatigue in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause feeling of heaviness.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of heaviness 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 feeling of heaviness.
In Chinese Medicine feeling of heaviness is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for 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 feeling of heaviness, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, nausea and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menopausal Syndrome or Morning Sickness.
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".
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
In addition to feeling of heaviness, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids include shortness of breath, chest fullness and coughing.
Phlegm-Fluids 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".
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
In addition to feeling of heaviness, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include dizziness, fever and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Intermenstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Damp-Heat is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wei Ling Tang, a formula used for Damp-Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi), Soggy (Ru)
In addition to feeling of heaviness, other symptoms associated with Damp-Cold include fever, feeling of cold and abdominal pain.
Damp-Cold is often treated with Wei Ling Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wei Ling Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination".
The top herbs in Er Chen Tang are Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which feeling of heaviness is a symptom.
The top herbs in Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids' of which feeling of heaviness of body is a symptom.
The top herbs in Lian Po Yin are Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian), Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) and Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Source date: 1862 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which feeling of heaviness is a symptom.
The top herbs in Wei Ling Tang are Water Plantain (Ze Xie), Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Drains Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Cold' of which feeling of heaviness is a symptom.
The top herbs in Yin Chen Hao Tang are Virgate Wormwood (Yin Chen), Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) and Rhubarb (Da Huang)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat. Resolves dampness. Reduces jaundice.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which feeling of heaviness is a symptom.
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heaviness as a symptom, like Liu Yi San or Sheng Yang Yi Wei 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.
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heaviness as a symptom, like Wu Pi Yin or Ling Gui Zhu Gan 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.
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heaviness as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Ping Wei San 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.
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heaviness as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma 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.
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heaviness as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Dizziness Fever Nausea Scanty periods Shortness of breath Fatigue Irritability Loose stools Depression Poor appetite