Nervous exhaustion 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.
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Nervous exhaustion 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 nervous exhaustion 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 nervous exhaustion is often associated with poor appetite, fatigue and anus prolapse in the pattern “Large Intestine collapse”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause nervous exhaustion.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of nervous exhaustion 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 nervous exhaustion.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause nervous exhaustion
In Chinese Medicine nervous exhaustion 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 Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Large Intestine collapse
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
In addition to nervous exhaustion, other symptoms associated with Large Intestine collapse include poor appetite, fatigue and anus prolapse.
Large Intestine collapse is often treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)".
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
The Lungs govern Qi and respiration. In case of Lung Qi Deficiency, Qi's protecting, dispersing and descending function can not be performed properly.
In addition to nervous exhaustion, other symptoms associated with Lung Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and aversion to speak.
Lung Qi Deficiency is often treated with Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Si Jun Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi".
Five herbal formulas that might help with nervous exhaustion
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine collapse' of which mental exhaustion is a symptom.
Si Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Si Jun Zi Tang help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which nervous exhaustion is a symptom.
Jiu Xian San
Source date: Yuan dynasty
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.
Why might Jiu Xian San help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which nervous exhaustion is a symptom.
Bu Fei Tang
Source date: 1331 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Stabilizes the Exterior.
Why might Bu Fei Tang help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which nervous exhaustion is a symptom.
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Source date: 1047 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Qi. Augments the Kidneys. Stops coughing. Arrests wheezing.
Why might Ren Shen Ge Jie San help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which nervous exhaustion is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat nervous exhaustion
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with nervous exhaustion as a symptom)
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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a key herb in Zhi Gan Cao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with nervous exhaustion as a symptom)
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with nervous exhaustion as a symptom)
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 Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a key herb in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Large Intestine collapse' (a pattern with nervous exhaustion as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Why might Poppy Capsule (Ying Su Ke) help with nervous exhaustion?
Because it is a key herb in Jiu Xian San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with nervous exhaustion as a symptom)
Poppy Capsules is a Neutral herb that tastes Pungent and Sour. It targets the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Astringes the Lungs, Astringes the Intestines. Stops pain.
Other symptoms often associated with nervous exhaustion
Poor appetite Fatigue Palpitations Forgetfulness Shortness of breath Insomnia Anxiety Irritability Weak voice Aversion to speak