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 insomnia, feeling of heat and night sweats in the pattern “Lesser Yin Heat Transformation”. 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.
Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian) is the king ingredient for Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, a formula used for Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
In addition to irritability, other symptoms associated with Lesser Yin Heat Transformation include insomnia, feeling of heat and night sweats.
Lesser Yin Heat Transformation is often treated with Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Huang Lian E Jiao Tang 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: "Enriches the Yin".
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, depression and insomnia.
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
Liver Yang Rising
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red
Long term Liver Yin Deficiency causes Liver Yang rising upwards. The treatment should be focused on subduing rising Yang as well as nourishing Liver Yin and Blood. It is also called Arrogant Liver Yang.
In addition to irritability, other symptoms associated with Liver Yang Rising include dizziness, insomnia and tinnitus.
Liver Yang Rising 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
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to irritability, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire include dizziness, tinnitus and red face.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire is often treated with Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Saiga Antelope's Horns - Ling Yang Jiao - as a key herb). Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Cools the Liver".
Read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire here
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 irritability, other symptoms associated with Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach include frequent sighing, hypochondrial distention and epigastric distension.
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
Five herbal formulas that might help with irritability
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Causes Fire to descend. Eliminates irritability. Calms the spirit.
Why might Huang Lian E Jiao Tang help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lesser Yin Heat Transformation' of which irritability is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lesser Yin Heat Transformation include insomnia, feeling of heat and night sweats.
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 Prolonged Periods.
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Source date: 1958 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Calms the Liver. Extinguishes wind. Invigorates the blood. Clears heat. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys.
Why might Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yang Rising' of which irritability is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Yang Rising include dizziness, insomnia and tinnitus.
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire' of which irritability is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Liver Fire include dizziness, tinnitus and red face.
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi. Expectorant, treats hiccups.
Why might Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang help with irritability?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach' of which irritability is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Rebellious Liver Qi Invading The Stomach include frequent sighing, hypochondrial distention and epigastric distension.
Acupuncture points used for irritability
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat irritability
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 Huang Lian E Jiao 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 Host-Wood Poria (Fu Shen) 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 Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin for instance).
Host-Wood Poria is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Heart.
Its main actions are: Calms the Mind (Shen) and promote urination.
Why might Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi) 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 Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang for instance).
Hematite is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Stomach, the Heart, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Calms the Liver, anchors uprising Yang and clears Liver Fire. Moves Qi downward. Cools the Blood, stops bleeding.
Why might Nonglutinous Japonica Rice (Jing Mi) 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 Bai Hu Tang for instance).
Nonglutinous Japonica Rice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Replenishes Qi and tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Eliminates thirst. Stops diarrhea.
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.
Conditions associated with irritability
Absence of menstruation Prolonged periods Low breast milk supply Mastitis Breast engorgement Irregular menstruation Abnormal vaginal discharge Early menstruation Menopausal syndrome Late menstruation
Other symptoms often associated with irritability
Dizziness Depression Insomnia Tinnitus Red face Scanty periods Dry mouth Constipation Bitter taste in the mouth Dry stools