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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Irritability 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 irritability 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 irritability is often associated with dizziness, scanty periods and dry mouth in the pattern “Kidney Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause irritability.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of irritability 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 irritability.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause irritability
In Chinese Medicine irritability 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 Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Kidney Yin Deficiency causes false Heat symptoms, such as night sweats, thirst and five palm heat. These signs are from a depletion of Body Fluids and Essence. It can be caused by prolonged overwork, excessive sexual activity, chronic long term illnesses, consumption of Body Fluids by Heat, prolonged blood loss, overdosage of Kidney Yang tonics herbs, smoking and Kidney depleting foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and fruit juices.
In addition to irritability, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency include dizziness, scanty periods and dry mouth.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menopausal Syndrome, Prolonged Periods or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu 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: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Fire. The Heat is more intense here.
In addition to irritability, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include dizziness, depression and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Mudan Peony Bark - Mu Dan Pi - as a key herb). Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear liver-heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. The feeling of ‘Distension’ (zhang 胀) is the main symptom of Liver Qi Stagnation.
In addition to irritability, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include depression, scanty periods and breast distention.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Liver Qi Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to irritability, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency include dizziness, depression and dry mouth.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is often treated with Dang Gui Di Huang Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Dang Gui Di Huang Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Blood".
Read more about Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency here
Talc (Hua Shi) is the king ingredient for Liu Yi San, a formula used for Summer Heat
Summer Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
In addition to irritability, other symptoms associated with Summer Heat include fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
Summer Heat is often treated with Liu Yi San, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Talc - Hua Shi - as a key herb). Liu Yi San belongs to the category of "formulas that dispel summer-heat and facilitate resolution of dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Summer-Heat".
Five herbal formulas that might help with irritability
Liang Di Tang
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin. Cools Blood. Stop bleeding.
Why might Liang Di Tang help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which irritability is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Irregular Menstruation.
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which irritability is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Xia Ru Yong Quan San
Source date: 1840 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Blood. Increases breast milk supply.
Why might Xia Ru Yong Quan San help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which irritability is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Qi Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Source date: 1640 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Blood. Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin. Regulates the menstrual cycle.
Why might Dang Gui Di Huang Yin help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which irritability is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Liu Yi San
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Clears Summer-Heat. Drains Dampness. Supplements Qi.
Why might Liu Yi San help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Summer Heat' of which irritability is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Summer Heat include fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat irritability
Why might Akebia Stem (Mu Tong) help with irritability?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat irritability and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat irritability as a symptom (such as Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance).
Akebia Stems is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Small intestine.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and clears Heat. Clears Heat and inflammation of the Heart. Promotes lactation. Moves and smoothes the flow of Blood. Used for painful obstruction associated with either Dampness, Blood Stagnation, Wind or Heat.
Why might Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao) help with irritability?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat irritability and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat irritability as a symptom (such as Liang Di Tang for instance).
Donkey-Hide Gelatin is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies and nourishes Blood. Stops bleeding. Moistens and lubricates Yin.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with irritability?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat irritability as a symptom, like Xia Ru Yong Quan San or Dang Gui Di Huang Yin 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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with irritability?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat irritability as a symptom, like Liu Yi San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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 Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with irritability?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat irritability as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Qing Jing San for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Other symptoms often associated with irritability
Dizziness Depression Scanty periods Dry mouth Insomnia Tinnitus Fatigue Breast distention Night sweats Dry throat