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.
Lassitude 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 lassitude 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 lassitude is often associated with poor appetite, loose stools and depression in the pattern “Spleen Qi Sinking”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause lassitude.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of lassitude 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 lassitude.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause lassitude
In Chinese Medicine lassitude 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 Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Qi Sinking
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
The causes and symptoms of Spleen Qi Sinking is quite similar to the ones of Spleen Qi Deficiency. It happens more to people who have unhealthy diet and eating habits, emotional stress, damp living environment or these have to stand up long hours.
In addition to lassitude, other symptoms associated with Spleen Qi Sinking include poor appetite, loose stools and depression.
Spleen Qi Sinking 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)".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi)
In addition to lassitude, other symptoms associated with Spleen Blood Deficiency include poor appetite, loose stools and depression.
Spleen Blood Deficiency is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
In addition to lassitude, other symptoms associated with Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency include poor appetite, loose stools and weak limbs.
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency is often treated with Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Si Jun Zi 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".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi)
In addition to lassitude, other symptoms associated with Cold-Damp invading the Spleen include poor appetite, loose stools and tiredness.
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen is often treated with Ping Wei San, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Black Atractylodes Rhizomes - Cang Zhu - as a key herb). Ping Wei San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Dampness".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
In addition to lassitude, other symptoms associated with Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang include depression, fatigue and frequent urination.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang is associated with health issues such as Menopausal Syndrome.
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang is often treated with Er Xian Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Curculigo Rhizomes - Xian Mao - as a key herb). Er Xian Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify yin and yang", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys".
Read more about Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang here
Five herbal formulas that might help with lassitude
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 lassitude?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Sinking' of which lassitude is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen Qi Sinking include poor appetite, loose stools and depression.
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 lassitude?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Blood Deficiency' of which lassitude is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen Blood Deficiency include poor appetite, loose stools and depression.
Si Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Si Jun Zi Tang help with lassitude?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency' of which lassitude is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen And Lung Qi Deficiency include poor appetite, loose stools and weak limbs.
Er Xian Tang
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Why might Er Xian Tang help with lassitude?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang' of which lassitude is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Deficiency Of Both The Kidney Yin And Yang include depression, fatigue and frequent urination.
Ping Wei San
Source date: 1051 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Dries Dampness. Improves the Spleen's transportive function. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Ping Wei San help with lassitude?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Damp invading the Spleen' of which lassitude is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Cold-Damp Invading The Spleen include poor appetite, loose stools and tiredness.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat lassitude
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with lassitude?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lassitude as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Gui Pi Tang 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with lassitude?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lassitude as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Si Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with lassitude?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lassitude as a symptom, like Er Xian Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang 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 Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with lassitude?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lassitude as a symptom, like Ping Wei San or Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
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.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with lassitude?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat lassitude as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Other symptoms often associated with lassitude
Poor appetite Loose stools Depression Weak Limbs Tiredness Fatigue Pale complexion Dull-pale complexion Frequent urination Scanty periods