Postconcussion syndrome 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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Postconcussion syndrome 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 postconcussion syndrome 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 postconcussion syndrome is often associated with palpitations, chest pain and hypochondriac pain in the pattern “Pericardium Blood Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause postconcussion syndrome.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of postconcussion syndrome 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 postconcussion syndrome.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause postconcussion syndrome
In Chinese Medicine postconcussion syndrome 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.
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Knotted (Jie), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
In addition to postconcussion syndrome, other symptoms associated with Pericardium Blood Stagnation include palpitations, chest pain and hypochondriac pain.
Pericardium Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
In addition to postconcussion syndrome, other symptoms associated with Stomach Blood Stagnation include vomiting, epigastric pain and nausea.
Stomach Blood Stagnation is often treated with Shi Xiao San, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Cattail Pollen - Pu Huang - as a key herb). Shi Xiao San belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates Blood".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Heart and Spleen Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
The Heart can receive sufficient Blood from the Spleen, if the latter's transformation and transportation function work properly, providing sufficient nutrients for growth and development. In turn, Heart Blood circulates and supplies the Spleen with nutrients to better perform its functions.
In addition to postconcussion syndrome, other symptoms associated with Heart and Spleen Deficiency include palpitations, dizziness and forgetfulness.
Heart and Spleen Deficiency is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Spleen Yang Deficiency often develops from Spleen Qi Deficiency, but it is more extensive and severe with additional Cold symptoms, such as cold feeling and cold limbs. The causes are similar to these of Spleen Qi Deficiency, along with surplus consumption of cold, raw foods and drinks and overexposure to cold damp environments and climates.
In addition to postconcussion syndrome, other symptoms associated with Spleen Yang Deficiency include fatigue, poor appetite and pale complexion.
Spleen Yang Deficiency 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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with postconcussion syndrome
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates the Blood. Dispels blood Stagnation. Spreads the Liver Qi. Unblocks the channels.
Why might Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Pericardium Blood Stagnation' of which postconcussion syndrome is a symptom.
Shi Xiao San
Source date: 1108 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Dispels Blood Stagnation. Eases pain.
Why might Shi Xiao San help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' of which postconcussion syndrome is a symptom.
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm. Stops pain. Promotes Qi movement.
Why might Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' of which postconcussion syndrome is a symptom.
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' of which postconcussion headache is a symptom.
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 postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which postconcussion headache is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat postconcussion syndrome
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a key herb in Zhen Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with postconcussion syndrome as a symptom)
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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' (a pattern with postconcussion syndrome 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a key herb in Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' (a pattern with postconcussion syndrome as a symptom)
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a key herb in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Spleen Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with postconcussion syndrome 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 Longan (Long Yan Rou) help with postconcussion syndrome?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' (a pattern with postconcussion syndrome as a symptom)
Longans is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Nourishes the Blood. Calms the spirit. Relieves fatigue, especially mental fatigue.
Other symptoms often associated with postconcussion syndrome
Palpitations Vomiting Dizziness Chest pain Hypochondriac pain Painful period Dark clots in menstrual blood Feeling of oppression of the chest Shortness of breath Purple lips