Jumpiness 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.
easily scared, fear and propensity to be startled redirect here
Jumpiness 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 jumpiness 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 jumpiness is often associated with dizziness, insomnia and poor memory in the pattern “/tcm-education-center/patterns/yin-deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause jumpiness.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of jumpiness 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 jumpiness.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause jumpiness
In Chinese Medicine jumpiness is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a formula used for /tcm-education-center/patterns/yin-deficiency
Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Red
In the case of Yin Deficiency, the body is short in the cooling, moistening and nurturing aspects. This leads to Heat and Dryness accompanied by weakness and lack of strength and resistance. Yin becomes Deficient by over-working, lack of sleep, over-exercising, overindulgence in sex, long-term chronic diseases, internal injury due to the seven emotions, and the over-eating of dry and hot-natured foods.
In addition to jumpiness, other symptoms associated with /tcm-education-center/patterns/yin-deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and poor memory.
/tcm-education-center/patterns/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 Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Thin
Heart Blood Deficiency hurts the Mind (神 Shen) and it causes insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety, poor memory, dizziness and tendency to be scared. It can be caused by Deficient Spleen Qi that fails to produce Blood, long-term anxiety and worry, a severe blood loss and excessive workload.
In addition to jumpiness, other symptoms associated with /tcm-education-center/patterns/heart-blood-deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and poor memory.
From a Western Medicine standpoint /tcm-education-center/patterns/heart-blood-deficiency is associated with health issues such as Postpartum Depression.
/tcm-education-center/patterns/heart-blood-deficiency is often treated with Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Si Wu Tang 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: "Restores and nourishes Blood".
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 jumpiness, other symptoms associated with /tcm-education-center/patterns/gallbladder-deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and floaters in eyes.
/tcm-education-center/patterns/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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with jumpiness
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with jumpiness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/yin-deficiency' of which jumpy is a symptom.
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with jumpiness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/heart-blood-deficiency' of which easily scared 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 jumpiness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/heart-blood-deficiency' of which easily scared is a symptom.
Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation. Tonifies Qi.
Why might Shen Qi Si Wu Tang help with jumpiness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/heart-blood-deficiency' of which easily scared is a symptom.
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 jumpiness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern '/tcm-education-center/patterns/gallbladder-deficiency' of which easily scared is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for jumpiness
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat jumpiness
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with jumpiness?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat jumpiness as a symptom, like Sheng Yu Tang or Xiao Yao San 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with jumpiness?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat jumpiness as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Sheng Yu Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with jumpiness?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat jumpiness as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang 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 Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with jumpiness?
Because Jujube Date is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat jumpiness as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Jujube Dates is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with jumpiness?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat jumpiness as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Gui Pi Tang 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.
Other symptoms often associated with jumpiness
Dizziness Insomnia Poor memory Anxiety Palpitations Dream disturbed sleep Pale lips Blurred vision Floaters in eyes Scanty periods