Listlessness 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.
Listlessness 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 listlessness 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 listlessness is often associated with dizziness, loose stools and shortness of breath in the pattern “Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause listlessness.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of listlessness 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 listlessness.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause listlessness
In Chinese Medicine listlessness 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.
Ginseng (Ren Shen) is the king ingredient for Si Jun Zi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency
Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Qi Deficiency simply means lack of Qi. It includes the lack of Original Qi, Nutritive Qi, Defensive Qi or the Qi that resides in Organs or Channels. It mainly manifests itself in a weakened function of Organs and a declining ability of the body to resist diseases.
In addition to listlessness, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include dizziness, loose stools and shortness of breath.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
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".
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the king ingredient for Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a formula used for Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In a Qi Collapsing (also called 'Sinking Qi') situation, a weakened Qi is unable to perform its holding function, resulting in a prolapse of the Organs. This condition mostly applies to the Qi of the Spleen.
In addition to listlessness, other symptoms associated with Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking include dizziness, loose stools and shortness of breath.
Qi Collapsing or 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)".
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the king ingredient for Si Ni Tang, a formula used for Lesser Yin Cold Transformation
Lesser Yin Cold Transformation
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to listlessness, other symptoms associated with Lesser Yin Cold Transformation include feeling of cold, cold limbs and diarrhea.
Lesser Yin Cold Transformation is often treated with Si Ni Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). Si Ni Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that rescue devastated yang", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Rescues devastated Yang".
Five herbal formulas that might help with listlessness
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 listlessness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which listlessness is a symptom.
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Why might Liu Jun Zi Tang help with listlessness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which listlessness 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 listlessness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' of which listlessness is a symptom.
Du Shen Tang
Source date: 1348 AD
Number of ingredients: 1 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Original Qi . Stabilizes from collapse.
Why might Du Shen Tang help with listlessness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking' of which listlessness is a symptom.
Si Ni Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Rescues devastated Yang. Warms the Middle Burner. Stops diarrhea.
Why might Si Ni Tang help with listlessness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lesser Yin Cold Transformation' of which listlessness is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat listlessness
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with listlessness?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat listlessness as a symptom, like Zhi Gan Cao Tang or Si Ni 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with listlessness?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat listlessness as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu Jun Zi 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 Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with listlessness?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat listlessness as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with listlessness?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat listlessness as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Guo Qi Yin 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with listlessness?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat listlessness as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Ren Shen Ge Jie San 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.
Other symptoms often associated with listlessness
Dizziness Scanty periods Loose stools Shortness of breath Palpitations Late period Poor appetite Feeling of cold Cold limbs Weak voice