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.
Frequent sighing 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 frequent sighing 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 frequent sighing is often associated with depression, palpitations and shortness of breath in the pattern “Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause frequent sighing.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of frequent sighing 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 frequent sighing.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause frequent sighing
In Chinese Medicine frequent sighing 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.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
In addition to frequent sighing, other symptoms associated with Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency include depression, palpitations and shortness of breath.
Lung and Heart 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".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Vessel obstructed
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Knotted (Jie), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to frequent sighing, other symptoms associated with Heart Vessel obstructed include depression, palpitations and shortness of breath.
Heart Vessel obstructed is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
In addition to frequent sighing, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include dizziness, poor appetite 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".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to frequent sighing, other symptoms associated with Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach include irritability, weak limbs and hypochondrial distention.
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach is often treated with Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Inula Flowers - Xuan Fu Hua - as a key herb). Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang belongs to the category of "formulas for a rebellious qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi".
Read more about Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach here
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to frequent sighing, other symptoms associated with Spleen Deficiency include depression, poor appetite and sticky vaginal discharge.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Spleen Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Spleen Deficiency is often treated with Wan Dai Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Atractylodes Rhizomes - Bai Zhu - as a key herb). Wan Dai Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies the Middle Burner".
Five herbal formulas that might help with frequent sighing
Bao Yuan Tang
Why might Bao Yuan Tang help with frequent sighing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency' of which frequent sighing is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung And Heart Qi Deficiency include depression, palpitations and shortness of breath.
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 frequent sighing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Deficiency' of which frequent sighing is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Channels. Disperses Cold. Nourishes the Blood. Unblocks the Blood vessels.
Why might Dang Gui Si Ni Tang help with frequent sighing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which frequent sighing is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heart Vessel Obstructed include depression, palpitations and shortness of breath.
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with frequent sighing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which frequent sighing is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Damp-Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Source date: 1706 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Warms the Middle Burner. Directs Rebellious Qi downward. Stops hiccup.
Why might Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang help with frequent sighing?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach' of which frequent sighing is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Rebellious Liver Qi Invading The Stomach include irritability, weak limbs and hypochondrial distention.
Acupuncture points used for frequent sighing
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat frequent sighing
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with frequent sighing?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent sighing as a symptom, like Bao Yuan Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with frequent sighing?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent sighing as a symptom, like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with frequent sighing?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent sighing as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with frequent sighing?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent sighing as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with frequent sighing?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frequent sighing as a symptom, like Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang or Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Conditions associated with frequent sighing
Abnormal vaginal discharge Irregular menstruation Absence of menstruation
Other symptoms often associated with frequent sighing
Depression Dizziness Irritability Poor appetite Palpitations Fatigue Blurred vision Shortness of breath Sticky vaginal discharge Cold limbs