Loss of taste 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.
Loss of taste 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 taste 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 taste is often associated with poor appetite, epigastrium discomfort and weak limbs in the pattern “Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of loss of taste we’ve identified three 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 taste.
Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause loss of taste
In Chinese Medicine loss of taste is a symptom for the pattern "Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
In addition to loss of taste, other symptoms associated with Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency include poor appetite, epigastrium discomfort and weak limbs.
Stomach and Spleen 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".
Three herbal formulas that might help with loss of taste
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 loss of taste?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which lack of taste is a symptom.
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Leaches out Dampness. Stops diarrhea.
Why might Shen Ling Bai Zhu San help with loss of taste?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which lack of taste is a symptom.
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Source date: 1247 AD
Number of ingredients: 16 herbs
Key actions: Strengthens the Spleen. Augments the Qi. Raises the Yang. Releases Dampness.
Why might Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang help with loss of taste?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which lack of taste is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for loss of taste
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat loss of taste
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with loss of taste?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of taste as a symptom, like Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang or Si Jun Zi 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 loss of taste?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of taste as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with loss of taste?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of taste as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu 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.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with loss of taste?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat loss of taste as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San 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.
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with loss of taste?
Because it is a key herb in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with loss of taste as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Other symptoms often associated with loss of taste
Poor appetite Epigastrium discomfort Weak Limbs Loose stools Tiredness Lassitude Pale complexion Dry mouth Dry stools Dry lips