Meniere's Diseaseaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Hearing Disorders, Balance Disorders
What is Meniere's Disease?
Meniere's Disease, characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, and aural fullness, is thought to result from a fluid imbalance in the inner ear or endolymphatic hydrops. This disorder typically affects one ear and can cause unpredictable attacks of dizziness, with a sensation that the world is spinning. The exact cause remains unknown, but it's believed to involve both genetic and environmental factors, including viral infections, autoimmune reactions, and allergies.
How does TCM view Meniere's Disease?
From the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Meniere's Disease is seen as a disruption in the body's natural balance of Yin and Yang, with particular emphasis on the Kidney and Spleen Channels.
TCM theory suggests that the disease arises from internal disharmony and the Stagnation of Qi, the vital life force. Treatment aims to rectify these imbalances by harmonizing the flow of Qi, dispelling pathogenic factors, and nourishing the body's vital substances.
Causes of Meniere's Disease According to TCM
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meniere's Disease is often attributed to Damp-Phlegm clouding the head's sensory openings. A Deficient Spleen Qi fails to manage Body Fluids, leading to their accumulation and stagnation. Kidney Yang Deficiency might also be implicated, as it is crucial for warming the body and promoting fluid metabolism. Without sufficient Yang, internal cold can lead to symptoms like tinnitus and dizziness.
Another potential cause is Stomach Yang Deficiency, where a failure to digest fluids properly can result in Dampness and Phlegm, exacerbating Meniere's symptoms. These TCM patterns illustrate the importance of a balanced internal environment for maintaining ear and balance health.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Meniere's Disease
To address the TCM patterns associated with Meniere's Disease, formulas like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are used to strengthen the Spleen and transform Phlegm, clearing blockages that affect hearing and balance. Shen Qi Wan is recommended for Kidney Yang Deficiency, warming the body's core and aiding the Kidney's function in fluid regulation.
For Stomach Yang Deficiency, warming and Qi-regulating formulas such as Liang Fu Wan are prescribed to counteract the Cold, improve the Stomach's processing of fluids, and prevent the ascent of Damp-Phlegm. These targeted treatments aim to restore harmony and alleviate the symptoms of Meniere's Disease from within.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address meniere's disease, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that transform phlegm and extinguish wind
- Formulas that harmonize lesser yang-warp disorders
- Formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm
- Formulas that expel dampness
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that expel parasites
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas for a rebellious qi
- Formulas that vent membrane source
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.
One such formula is Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, with poria-cocos mushroom as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm and transform water and dampness" recommended for meniere's disease
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang | Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) |
| Zhen Wu Tang | Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) |
Formulas that transform Phlegm and extinguish Wind
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas when it is due to phlegm causing internal wind symptoms, such as tremors or dizziness.
One such formula is Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, with crow-dipper rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas in cases of imbalances in the lesser Yang (Shao Yang) phase, which often involve alternating hot and cold sensations.
One such formula is Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Formulas that dry Dampness and transform Phlegm
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas when there's an accumulation of dampness and phlegm in the body, requiring herbs that dry dampness and transform phlegm.
One such formula is Er Chen Tang, with crow-dipper rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that expel Dampness
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas in cases where dampness obstructs the body's normal functions, necessitating herbs that specifically target and expel dampness.
One such formula is Wei Ling Tang, with water plantain as a key herb.
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by an accumulation of dampness in the body, requiring diuretic actions to promote fluid balance.
One such formula is Wu Ling San, with water plantain as a key herb.
Formulas that expel parasites
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by parasitic infections, requiring anti-parasitic herbs to eliminate the parasites.
One such formula is Wu Mei Wan, with chinese plum as a key herb.
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Wu Zhu Yu Tang, with evodia fruit as a key herb.
Formulas for a rebellious Qi
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas if it is caused by the disruption of Qi flow, that causes the normal movement of body processes to go the wrong way.
One such formula is Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang, with inula flower as a key herb.
Formulas that vent membrane source
Meniere's disease can be treated by these formulas if it results from blockages in the body, often manifested as masses or lumps, needing actions that open and resolve these obstructions.
One such formula is Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Meniere's Disease
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address meniere's disease, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that pacify internal liver wind and stop tremors
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough" recommended for meniere's disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) | Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang | Er Chen Tang |
| Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua) | Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang |
Herbs that drain Dampness
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Water Plantain (Ze Xie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Wei Ling Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for meniere's disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Water Plantain (Ze Xie) | Wei Ling Tang | Wu Ling San |
| Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) | Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang |
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Wu Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold" recommended for meniere's disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu) | Wu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) | Zhen Wu Tang |
Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by internal wind from Liver disharmony, often manifesting in symptoms like spasms or tremors.
One such herb is Gastrodia Rhizomes (Tian Ma), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang.
Herbs that regulate Qi
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Er Chen Tang.
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs if it stems from damp accumulation, especially in the digestive system, using aromatic properties to transform and dispel dampness.
One such herb is Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Wei Ling Tang.
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Meniere's disease can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Chinese Plums (Wu Mei), a key herb in some formulas recommended for meniere's disease, like Wu Mei Wan.