Muscle cramps 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.
cramps, muscle contractions, muscle tension and tight muscle redirect here
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, dizziness and insomnia in the pattern “Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two 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 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 muscle cramps.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause muscle cramps
In Chinese Medicine muscle cramps is a symptom for 2 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
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
In addition to muscle cramps, other symptoms associated with Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency include amenorrhea, dizziness and insomnia.
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and 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, dizziness and insomnia.
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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with muscle cramps
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 muscle cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency' of which cramps is a symptom.
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 muscle cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency' of which cramps is a symptom.
Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Source date: 1132 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin and Blood . Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind . Calms the Liver. Anchors the yang.
Why might Zhen Zhu Mu Wan help with muscle cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency' of which cramps is a symptom.
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 cramps is a symptom.
Bu Gan Tang
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and regulates the Blood. Nourishes the Liver Yin.
Why might Bu Gan Tang help with muscle cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which cramps is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for muscle cramps
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat muscle cramps
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 Sheng Yu Tang or Bu Gan Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
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 muscle cramps?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle cramps as a symptom, like Qi Ju Di Huang Wan or Bu Gan Tang 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 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 Sheng Yu Tang or Bu Gan 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with muscle cramps?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle cramps as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Sheng Yu Tang 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 Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren) help with muscle cramps?
Because Jujube Seed is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle cramps as a symptom, like Zhen Zhu Mu Wan or Bu Gan Tang for instance.
Jujube Seeds is a Neutral herb that tastes Sour and Sweet. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Nourishes the Heart Yin and calms the spirit. Contains Fluid leakage.
Other symptoms often associated with muscle cramps
Amenorrhea Dizziness Insomnia Blurred vision Floaters in eyes Diminished night vision Numbness in the limbs Scanty periods Muscle weakness Dry hair