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.
Muscle weakness 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 weakness 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 weakness is often associated with dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods in the pattern “Liver Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause muscle weakness.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of muscle weakness we’ve identified four 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 weakness.
In Chinese Medicine muscle weakness is a symptom for 4 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
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 weakness, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
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
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 weakness, other symptoms associated with Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
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".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
In addition to muscle weakness, other symptoms associated with Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
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 Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
In addition to muscle weakness, other symptoms associated with Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
Spleen 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".
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Deficiency' of which muscle weakness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and regulates the Blood. Nourishes the Liver Yin.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Yin Deficiency' of which muscle weakness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
Source date: 1336 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Preserves the Blood.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency' of which muscle weakness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver And Heart Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen and Heart Blood Deficiency' of which muscle weakness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen And Heart Blood Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and scanty periods.
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle weakness as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang 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.
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle weakness 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.
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle weakness as a symptom, like Si Wu 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.
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle weakness as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Bu Gan Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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.
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muscle weakness 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 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).
Dizziness Insomnia Scanty periods Dull-pale complexion Blurred vision Floaters in eyes Diminished night vision Numbness in the limbs Amenorrhea Dry hair