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Loss of libido 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 loss of libido 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 loss of libido is often associated with fatigue, insomnia and feeling of guilt in the pattern “Heart Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause loss of libido.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of loss of libido 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 loss of libido.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause loss of libido
In Chinese Medicine loss of libido 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 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 loss of libido, other symptoms associated with Heart Blood Deficiency include fatigue, insomnia and feeling of guilt.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heart Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Postpartum Depression.
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 Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
This pattern developed from Heart Blood Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as the latter one, such as insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, easily to be scared, poor memory and anxiety, but it also has additional empty Heat symptoms. It can be caused by Kidney Yin Deficiency or other factors such as bad diet, overwork or long term exposure to stress or hot environment.
In addition to loss of libido, other symptoms associated with Heart Yin Deficiency include insomnia, feeling of guilt and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heart Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation or Postpartum Depression.
Heart Yin Deficiency is often treated with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, a herbal formula made of 14 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan 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: "Nutritive tonic: Nourishes Yin, Blood and Vital Essence of the Heart and Kidney".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to loss of libido, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency include feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools.
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency is often treated with Li Zhong Wan, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Dried Ginger - Gan Jiang - as a key herb). Li Zhong Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Middle Burner".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to loss of libido, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba 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: "Tonifies Yang".
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the king ingredient for Wen Jing Tang, a formula used for Cold in the Uterus
Cold in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
There are two types of cold patterns: Full Cold or Empty Cold. Full cold refers to actual Cold Evil invading the Uterus and Dampness Stagnation often come along with this Full pattern. Empty cold is the result of Yang Deficiency, especially the Spleen and Kidney Yang.
In addition to loss of libido, other symptoms associated with Cold in the Uterus include feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools.
Cold in the Uterus is often treated with Wen Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Cinnamon Twigs - Gui Zhi - as a key herb). Wen Jing Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Uterus and vessels".
Five herbal formulas that might help with loss of libido
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 loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Blood Deficiency' of which loss of libido is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Heart Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Postpartum Depression.
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Nourishes Yin.
Why might Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang help with loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Yin Deficiency' of which loss of libido is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Heart Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Postpartum Depression.
Li Zhong Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Middle Burner. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Li Zhong Wan help with loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which loss of libido is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney And Spleen Yang Deficiency include feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools.
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which loss of libido is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Yang Deficiency include feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools.
Wen Jing Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Uterus and vessels. Nourishes Blood. Dispels Cold. Dispels Blood Stagnation.
Why might Wen Jing Tang help with loss of libido?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold in the Uterus' of which loss of libido is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Cold In The Uterus include feeling of cold, lassitude and loose stools.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat loss of libido
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with loss of libido?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang or Wen Jing 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with loss of libido?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Ren Shen Dang Gui 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 Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) help with loss of libido?
Because Cinnamon Twig is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Wen Jing Tang or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Cinnamon Twigs is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood.
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with loss of libido?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi) help with loss of libido?
Because Goji Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of libido as a symptom, like Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan or You Gui Wan for instance.
Goji Berries is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs.
Conditions associated with loss of libido
Other symptoms often associated with loss of libido
Feeling of cold Lassitude Loose stools Fatigue Insomnia Feeling of guilt Palpitations Lower back pain Cold and weak knees Weak legs