Forgetfulness 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.
Four herbal formulas that might help with forgetfulness
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 forgetfulness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' of which forgetfulness is a symptom.
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Nourishes the Heart. Calms the spirit.
Why might Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang help with forgetfulness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency' of which forgetfulness is a symptom.
Sang Piao Xiao San
Source date: 1116 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys. Stabilizes the Essence. Stops leakage.
Why might Sang Piao Xiao San help with forgetfulness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Bladder Deficiency with Cold' of which forgetfulness is a symptom.
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Source date: 16th century
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic: Nourishes Yin, Blood and Vital Essence of the Heart and Kidney. Clears away pathogenic Heat, clears Deficient Heat. Sedative.
Why might Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan help with forgetfulness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yin and Blood Deficiency' of which forgetfulness is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat forgetfulness
Why might Sweetflag Rhizome (Shi Chang Pu) help with forgetfulness?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat forgetfulness and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat forgetfulness as a symptom (such as Sang Piao Xiao San for instance).
Sweetflag Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Opens the Orifices, awakens the Mind (Shen) and expels Wind-Damp Phlegm. Harmonizes the Earth element and dispels Damp. Applied internally or externally for Wind-Cold-Damp painful obstruction.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with forgetfulness?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat forgetfulness as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
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 Seed (Suan Zao Ren) help with forgetfulness?
Because Jujube Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat forgetfulness as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan for instance.
Jujube Seeds is a Neutral herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes the Heart Yin and calms the spirit. Contains Fluid leakage.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with forgetfulness?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat forgetfulness as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Ren Shen Yang Rong 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.
Why might Host-Wood Poria (Fu Shen) help with forgetfulness?
Because Host-Wood Poria is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat forgetfulness as a symptom, like Sang Piao Xiao San or Gui Pi Tang 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.
Other symptoms often associated with forgetfulness
Fatigue Palpitations Poor appetite Insomnia Pale complexion Abnormal uterine bleeding Menorrhagia Anxiety Restlnessness at night Feverishness