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.
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Muscle cramps 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 muscle cramps 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 muscle cramps is often associated with amenorrhea, blurred vision and dizziness in the pattern “Liver Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause muscle cramps.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of muscle cramps 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 muscle cramps.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause muscle cramps
In Chinese Medicine muscle cramps 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.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
The Liver stores Blood, that is the reason any Blood Deficiency often involves the Liver. This pattern has an impact on areas the Liver relates to, such as the tendons, eyes, nails and menstruation. It arises from the same causes of general Blood Deficiency, such as poor diet, hemorrhages or Kidney Qi or Essence Deficiency.
In addition to muscle cramps, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood Deficiency include amenorrhea, blurred vision and dizziness.
Liver 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 Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This is a type of empty Fire pattern arising out of Liver Blood Deficiency or Kidney Yin Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as Liver Blood Deficiency, but with extra signs of Dryness and Yin-Deficient Heat. It can be caused by excessive activity, overwork, 'burning the candle at both ends' without sufficient rest, and poor and irregular diet.
In addition to muscle cramps, other symptoms associated with Liver Yin Deficiency include amenorrhea, blurred vision and dizziness.
Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Qi Ju 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: "Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin".
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to muscle cramps, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency and Stagnation include amenorrhea, blurred vision and dizziness.
Blood Deficiency and Stagnation 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".
Three herbal formulas that might help with muscle cramps
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 muscle cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Deficiency' of which muscle cramps is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Blood Deficiency include amenorrhea, blurred vision and dizziness.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with muscle cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which muscle cramps is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Yin Deficiency include amenorrhea, blurred vision and dizziness.
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Source date: 1291 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver. Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen. Stops pain.
Why might Tao Hong Si Wu Tang help with muscle cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency and Stagnation' of which muscle cramps is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Blood Deficiency And Stagnation include amenorrhea, blurred vision and dizziness.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat muscle cramps
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with muscle cramps?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle cramps as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with muscle cramps?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle cramps as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tao Hong 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 Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with muscle cramps?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle cramps as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with muscle cramps?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle cramps as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tao Hong 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 Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with muscle cramps?
Because it is a key herb in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency and Stagnation' (a pattern with muscle cramps as a symptom)
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Other symptoms often associated with muscle cramps
Rheumatism Amenorrhea Abdominal pain Coughing Blurred vision Dizziness Insomnia Phlegm Indigestion Scanty periods