Fidgeting 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.
Fidgeting 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 fidgeting 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 fidgeting is often associated with anxiety, insomnia and insomnia with very restless sleep in the pattern “Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of fidgeting we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the four medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat fidgeting.
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause fidgeting
In Chinese Medicine fidgeting is a symptom for the pattern "Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the king ingredient for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
When Yin Deficiency lasts for a long it may lead to Interior Heat
In addition to fidgeting, other symptoms associated with Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency include anxiety, insomnia and insomnia with very restless sleep.
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Softshell Turtle Shells - Bie Jia - as a key herb). Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from deficiency", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
Read more about Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency here
Two herbal formulas that might help with fidgeting
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Why might Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang help with fidgeting?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' of which fidgeting is a symptom.
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Causes Fire to descend. Eliminates irritability. Calms the spirit.
Why might Huang Lian E Jiao Tang help with fidgeting?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' of which fidgeting is a symptom.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat fidgeting
Why might Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao) help with fidgeting?
Because it is a key herb in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with fidgeting as a symptom)
Donkey-Hide Gelatin is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies and nourishes Blood. Stops bleeding. Moistens and lubricates Yin.
Why might Sweet Wormwood Herb (Qing Hao) help with fidgeting?
Because it is a key herb in Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with fidgeting as a symptom)
Sweet Wormwood Herbs is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Treats malaria. Treats summer Heat and clears symptoms of deficient Heat. Clears Blood Heat and stops bleeding.
Why might Goldthread Rhizome (Huang Lian) help with fidgeting?
Because it is a key herb in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with fidgeting as a symptom)
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites
Why might Softshell Turtle Shell (Bie Jia) help with fidgeting?
Because it is a key herb in Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with fidgeting as a symptom)
Softshell Turtle Shells is a Neutral herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes Yin and subdues exuberant Yang. Resolves hardness.
Other symptoms often associated with fidgeting
Anxiety Insomnia Insomnia with very restless sleep Coughing with blood-streaked sputum Mouth ulcers Excessive sexual desire Dizziness Fatigue Tinnitus Feeling of heat in the afternoon