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.
Numbness of the muscles 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 numbness of the muscles 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 numbness of the muscles is often associated with bone deformities and numbness in the limbs in the pattern “Phlegm in the Joints”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of numbness of the muscles we’ve identified two 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 numbness of the muscles.
Phlegm in the Joints, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause numbness of the muscles
In Chinese Medicine numbness of the muscles is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm in the Joints". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the king ingredient for Zhen Wu Tang, a formula used for Phlegm in the Joints
Phlegm in the Joints
The bone deformities that occur in chronic rheumatoid arthritis are seen as a form of Phlegm.
In addition to numbness of the muscles, other symptoms associated with Phlegm in the Joints include bone deformities and numbness in the limbs.
Phlegm in the Joints is often treated with Zhen Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). Zhen Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm and transform water and dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys".
Two herbal formulas that might help with numbness of the muscles
Zhen Wu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys. Eliminates Dampness.
Why might Zhen Wu Tang help with numbness of the muscles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in the Joints' of which numbness of the muscles is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm In The Joints include bone deformities and numbness in the limbs.
Juan Bi Tang
Source date: 1178 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and harmonizes the Protective and Nutritive Qi. Dispels Wind. Eliminates Dampness.
Why might Juan Bi Tang help with numbness of the muscles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in the Joints' of which numbness of the muscles is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm In The Joints include bone deformities and numbness in the limbs.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat numbness of the muscles
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with numbness of the muscles?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat numbness of the muscles as a symptom, like Zhen Wu Tang or Juan Bi 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 Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with numbness of the muscles?
Because Prepared Aconite is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat numbness of the muscles as a symptom, like Zhen Wu Tang or Fu Zi Tang for instance.
Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with numbness of the muscles?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat numbness of the muscles as a symptom, like Zhen Wu Tang or Fu Zi Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with numbness of the muscles?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat numbness of the muscles as a symptom, like Juan Bi Tang or Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu 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.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with numbness of the muscles?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat numbness of the muscles as a symptom, like Zhen Wu Tang or Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.