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.
Muttering to oneself 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 muttering to oneself 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 muttering to oneself is often associated with aphasia, coma and rattling sound in the throat in the pattern “Phlegm Misting the Heart”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause muttering to oneself.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of muttering to oneself 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 muttering to oneself.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause muttering to oneself
In Chinese Medicine muttering to oneself 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
Phlegm Misting the Heart
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is a condition where Phlegm enters the Heart and disturbs the Mind (Shen).
In addition to muttering to oneself, other symptoms associated with Phlegm Misting the Heart include aphasia, coma and rattling sound in the throat.
Phlegm Misting the Heart is often treated with Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Phlegm".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
In addition to muttering to oneself, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart include red face, aphasia and coma.
Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart is often treated with Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Hot Phlegm".
Three herbal formulas that might help with muttering to oneself
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with muttering to oneself?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which muttering to oneself is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm Misting The Heart include aphasia, coma and rattling sound in the throat.
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1852 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Hot Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder Heat. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang help with muttering to oneself?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart' of which muttering to oneself is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Fire Harassing The Heart include red face, aphasia and coma.
Di Tan Tang
Source date: 1470 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Removes Phlegm. Opens the sensory orifices. Tonifies Qi.
Why might Di Tan Tang help with muttering to oneself?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm Misting the Heart' of which muttering to oneself is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm Misting The Heart include aphasia, coma and rattling sound in the throat.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat muttering to oneself
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with muttering to oneself?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muttering to oneself as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
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.
Why might Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi) help with muttering to oneself?
Because Immature Bitter Orange is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muttering to oneself as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Immature Bitter Oranges is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter, Pungent and Sour. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Large intestine.
Its main actions are: Regulates the flow of Qi in the Middle Burner and reduces Food Stagnation. Moves Qi downward and helps constipation. Reduces Stagnant Phlegm and lessens distention and pain. For prolapse of organs when used with the appropriate herbs.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with muttering to oneself?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muttering to oneself as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Di Tan Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with muttering to oneself?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muttering to oneself as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Bamboo Shaving (Zhu Ru) help with muttering to oneself?
Because Bamboo Shaving is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat muttering to oneself as a symptom, like Wen Dan Tang or Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Bamboo Shavings is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Gallbladder, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs. Clears Heat in the Stomach and stops vomiting. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding.
Other symptoms often associated with muttering to oneself
Red face Aphasia Coma Rattling sound in the throat Incoherent speech Mental confusion Mucus Palpitations Bitter taste in the mouth Insomnia