Frigidity 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.
Frigidity 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 frigidity 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 frigidity is often associated with impotence, infertility and fatigue in the pattern “Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of frigidity we’ve identified two 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 frigidity.
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause frigidity
In Chinese Medicine frigidity is a symptom for the pattern "Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a formula used for Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Empty (Xu), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Yang Deficiency is an Empty-Cold condition characterized by Coldness and Deficiency. It can cause a general hypoactivity of Organ functions and Oedema. Qi and Blood is more likely to stagnate. Yang Deficiency is mostly related to Spleen Yang, Kidney Yang, Heart Yang or Lung Qi. It is a result of lack of activity or exercise, excessive sex, over-exposure to cold environments and bad diet.
In addition to frigidity, other symptoms associated with Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang include impotence, infertility and fatigue.
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
Two herbal formulas that might help with frigidity
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with frigidity?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' of which frigidity is a symptom.
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 frigidity?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' of which frigidity is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat frigidity
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with frigidity?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frigidity as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or You Gui Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with frigidity?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frigidity as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or You Gui Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with frigidity?
Because Prepared Aconite is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frigidity as a symptom, like You Gui Wan or Ba Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Spleen.
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 Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with frigidity?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat frigidity as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or You Gui Wan for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) help with frigidity?
Because it is a key herb in You Gui Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' (a pattern with frigidity as a symptom)
Deer Antler Glue is a Warm herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Yang tonification of the Kidneys and Liver, and to nourish vital Essence and Blood
Other symptoms often associated with frigidity
Impotence Infertility Fatigue Spermatorrhea Thinness Cold intolerance Dizziness Tinnitus Impaired hearing Back pain