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.
Paralysis 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 paralysis 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 paralysis is often associated with tremor, dizziness and convulsions in the pattern “Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of paralysis we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause paralysis
In Chinese Medicine paralysis is a symptom for the pattern "Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Thick coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Stiff
The invasion of Exterior Wind-Heat leads to this pattern and it then transforms to Interior Wind and Heat.
In addition to paralysis, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat include tremor, dizziness and convulsions.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat is often treated with Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Gastrodia Rhizomes - Tian Ma - as a key herb). Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Calms the Liver".
Read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat here
A herbal formula that might help with paralysis
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Source date: 1958 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Calms the Liver. Extinguishes wind. Invigorates the blood. Clears heat. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys.
Why might Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin help with paralysis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat' of which paralysis is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Wind Agitating Internally Due To Extreme Heat include tremor, dizziness and convulsions.
The two Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat paralysis
Why might Gambir Stem And Thorn (Gou Teng) help with paralysis?
Because it is a key herb in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat' (a pattern with paralysis as a symptom)
Gambir Stems And Thorns is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Calms Liver Wind and relieves spasms. Clears Liver Heat and sedates Liver Yang.
Why might Gastrodia Rhizome (Tian Ma) help with paralysis?
Because it is a key herb in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat' (a pattern with paralysis as a symptom)
Gastrodia Rhizomes is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Calms Liver Wind. Sedates Liver Yang and relieves convulsions. Relieves Wind and stops pain.
Other symptoms often associated with paralysis
Tremor Dizziness Convulsions High temperature Stiff neck Coma