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.
amnesia and poor memory redirect here
Memory losses 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 memory losses 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 memory losses is often associated with dizziness, insomnia and palpitations in the pattern “Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause memory losses.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of memory losses 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 memory losses.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause memory losses
In Chinese Medicine memory losses 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.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Someone has a Deficiency of Blood when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood.
This can be caused by blood-loss, a lack of of Spleen Qi (responsible to produce Blood) or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
In addition to memory losses, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
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 Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to memory losses, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and night sweats.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Vaginal Itching.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Zuo Gui 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: "Nourishes the Yin".
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 memory losses, other symptoms associated with Heart Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and palpitations.
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 Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Pericardium Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
In addition to memory losses, other symptoms associated with Pericardium Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and palpitations.
Pericardium Blood Deficiency is often treated with Shen Qi Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Shen Qi 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".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to memory losses, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu 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: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
Five herbal formulas that might help with memory losses
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 memory losses?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which memory losses is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
Zuo Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.
Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with memory losses?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which memory losses is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Sheng Yu Tang
Source date: 1336 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Preserves the Blood.
Why might Sheng Yu Tang help with memory losses?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which memory losses is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
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 memory losses?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Blood Deficiency' of which memory losses is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Heart Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Postpartum Depression.
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 memory losses?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Pericardium Blood Deficiency' of which memory losses is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Pericardium Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and palpitations.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat memory losses
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with memory losses?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat memory losses as a symptom, like Sheng Yu Tang or Si Wu 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 Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with memory losses?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat memory losses as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Zuo Gui Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with memory losses?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat memory losses as a symptom, like Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang or Gui Pi 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with memory losses?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat memory losses as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Shen Qi Si Wu Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with memory losses?
Because Milkvetch Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat memory losses as a symptom, like Shi Quan Da Bu Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
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.
Conditions associated with memory losses
Scanty menstruation Postpartum depression Absence of menstruation Irregular menstruation Menopausal syndrome
Other symptoms often associated with memory losses
Dizziness Insomnia Night sweats Palpitations Anxiety Tinnitus Scanty periods Depression Dry throat Blurred vision