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.
Sore and weak limbs 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 sore and weak limbs 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 sore and weak limbs is often associated with dizziness, depression and insomnia in the pattern “Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause sore and weak limbs.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of sore and weak limbs 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 sore and weak limbs.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause sore and weak limbs
In Chinese Medicine sore and weak limbs 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 Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Fire. The Heat is more intense here.
In addition to sore and weak limbs, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include dizziness, depression and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Mudan Peony Bark - Mu Dan Pi - as a key herb). Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear liver-heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi".
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 sore and weak limbs, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, depression 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".
Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu) is the king ingredient for Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a formula used for Phlegm in the Uterus
Phlegm in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
In addition to sore and weak limbs, other symptoms associated with Phlegm in the Uterus include fatigue, chest fullness and feeling of heaviness.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm in the Uterus is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Phlegm in the Uterus is often treated with Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Coco-Grass Rhizomes - Xiang Fu - as a key herb). Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan 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: "Resolves Dampness and Phlegm".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to sore and weak limbs, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include dizziness, depression and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu 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: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
Four herbal formulas that might help with sore and weak limbs
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Source date: Ming dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation. Tonifies Spleen. Clears Deficient Heat. Nourishes the blood.
Why might Jia Wei Xiao Yao San help with sore and weak limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which sore and weak limbs is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
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 sore and weak limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which sore and weak limbs is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1575 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Resolves Damp-Phlegm. Nourishes Blood.
Why might Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang help with sore and weak limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which sore and weak limbs is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Why might Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan help with sore and weak limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm in the Uterus' of which sore and weak limbs is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm in the Uterus can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat sore and weak limbs
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with sore and weak limbs?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore and weak limbs as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Bu Zhong Yi Qi 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with sore and weak limbs?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore and weak limbs as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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 Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with sore and weak limbs?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore and weak limbs as a symptom, like Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan or Xiong Gui Er Chen 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.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with sore and weak limbs?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore and weak limbs as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with sore and weak limbs?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sore and weak limbs as a symptom, like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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.
Conditions associated with sore and weak limbs
Menstrual cramps Scanty menstruation Absence of menstruation Menopausal syndrome
Other symptoms often associated with sore and weak limbs
Dizziness Depression Night sweats Tinnitus Scanty periods Fatigue Dry mouth Blurred vision Insomnia Sore back