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.
Palpitations 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 palpitations 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 palpitations is often associated with dizziness, fatigue and scanty periods in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause palpitations.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of palpitations 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 palpitations.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause palpitations
In Chinese Medicine palpitations 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.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to palpitations, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, fatigue and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen 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: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
Ginseng (Ren Shen) is the king ingredient for Si Jun Zi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency
Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Qi Deficiency simply means lack of Qi. It includes the lack of Original Qi, Nutritive Qi, Defensive Qi or the Qi that resides in Organs or Channels. It mainly manifests itself in a weakened function of Organs and a declining ability of the body to resist diseases.
In addition to palpitations, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include dizziness, fatigue and poor appetite.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
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".
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Someone has a Deficiency of Blood when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood.
This can be caused by blood-loss, a lack of of Spleen Qi (responsible to produce Blood) or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
In addition to palpitations, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include insomnia, dizziness and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
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 Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to palpitations, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is often treated with Dang Gui Di Huang Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Dang Gui Di Huang Yin 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: "Nourishes Blood".
Read more about Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency here
Four herbal formulas that might help with palpitations
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Why might Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang help with palpitations?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which palpitations is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
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 palpitations?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which palpitations is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Da Bu Yuan Jian
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yin and Blood. Nourishes Qi and Yang.
Why might Da Bu Yuan Jian help with palpitations?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which palpitations is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with palpitations?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which palpitations is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat palpitations
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with palpitations?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat palpitations and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat palpitations as a symptom (such as Ling Gui Zhu Gan 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 palpitations?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat palpitations and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat palpitations as a symptom (such as Ju Yuan Jian 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with palpitations?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat palpitations and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat palpitations as a symptom (such as Si Jun Zi 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).
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with palpitations?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat palpitations and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat palpitations as a symptom (such as Si Jun Zi Tang for instance).
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with palpitations?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat palpitations and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat palpitations as a symptom (such as Da Bu Yuan Jian 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.
Conditions associated with palpitations
Abnormal uterine bleeding Heavy menstruation Late menstruation Scanty menstruation Postpartum depression Absence of menstruation Early menstruation Menopausal syndrome
Other symptoms often associated with palpitations
Insomnia Dizziness Restlessness Night sweats Fatigue Tinnitus Scanty periods Depression Anxiety Pale face