Indecision 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.
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Indecision 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 indecision 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 indecision is often associated with timidity, easily scared and lack of courage in the pattern “Gallbladder Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause indecision.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of indecision we’ve identified four 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 indecision.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause indecision
In Chinese Medicine indecision 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 Gallbladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Gallbladder Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
More than a ‘pattern’, this is really the description of a certain character or personality. The key feature of this ‘pattern’ is the character of the person: that is, their lack of courage, timidity and lack of initiative.
In addition to indecision, other symptoms associated with Gallbladder Deficiency include timidity, easily scared and lack of courage.
Gallbladder Deficiency is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Phlegm".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
In addition to indecision, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Deficiency include timidity, easily scared and lack of courage.
Liver Qi Deficiency is often treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bu Zhong Yi Qi 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 of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)".
Four herbal formulas that might help with indecision
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with indecision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Gallbladder Deficiency' of which indecision is a symptom.
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 indecision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Deficiency' of which indecision is a symptom.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with indecision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Deficiency' of which indecision is a symptom.
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 indecision?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Deficiency' of which indecision is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for indecision
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat indecision
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with indecision?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat indecision as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Si Wu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with indecision?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat indecision as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with indecision?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat indecision as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Xiao Yao San 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with indecision?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat indecision as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with indecision?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat indecision as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Other symptoms often associated with indecision
Timidity Easily scared Lack of courage Frequent sighing Dizziness Blurred vision Floaters in eyes Nervousness Restless dreams Waking up early in the morning