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.
General sensation of unease 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 general sensation of unease 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 general sensation of unease is often associated with palpitations, insomnia and dream disturbed sleep in the pattern “Heart Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause general sensation of unease.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of general sensation of unease we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the three medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat general sensation of unease.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause general sensation of unease
In Chinese Medicine general sensation of unease is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
This pattern developed from Heart Blood Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as the latter one, such as insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, easily to be scared, poor memory and anxiety, but it also has additional empty Heat symptoms. It can be caused by Kidney Yin Deficiency or other factors such as bad diet, overwork or long term exposure to stress or hot environment.
In addition to general sensation of unease, other symptoms associated with Heart Yin Deficiency include palpitations, insomnia and dream disturbed sleep.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heart Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation or Postpartum Depression.
Heart Yin Deficiency is often treated with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, a herbal formula made of 14 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nutritive tonic: Nourishes Yin, Blood and Vital Essence of the Heart and Kidney".
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Heat invading the Pericardium
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
In addition to general sensation of unease, other symptoms associated with Heat invading the Pericardium include fever, irritability and delirious speech.
Heat invading the Pericardium is often treated with Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Ox Gallstones - Niu Huang - as a key herb). Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity".
Two herbal formulas that might help with general sensation of unease
Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan
Source date: 1568 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity. Calms the Mind. Opens up the Orifices.
Why might Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan help with general sensation of unease?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat invading the Pericardium' of which general sensation of unease is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat Invading The Pericardium include fever, irritability and delirious speech.
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 general sensation of unease?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Yin Deficiency' of which general sensation of unease is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heart Yin Deficiency include palpitations, insomnia and dream disturbed sleep.
The three Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat general sensation of unease
Why might Cinnabar (Zhu Sha) help with general sensation of unease?
Because Cinnabar is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat general sensation of unease as a symptom, like Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan or Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan for instance.
Cinnabar is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart.
Its main actions are: Calms the spirit and Heart. Stops convulsions. Clears Heat and toxins.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with general sensation of unease?
Because it is a key herb in Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heart Yin Deficiency' (a pattern with general sensation of unease as a symptom)
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Ox Gallstone (Niu Huang) help with general sensation of unease?
Because it is a key herb in Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heat invading the Pericardium' (a pattern with general sensation of unease as a symptom)
Ox Gallstones is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and Detoxifies. Calms Liver-Wind. As an aromatic it opens the cavities to expel phlegm.
Other symptoms often associated with general sensation of unease
Palpitations Insomnia Dream disturbed sleep Easily scared Anxiety Malar flush Poor memory Dry mouth Dry throat Night sweats