Spontaneous sweating 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.
Spontaneous sweating 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 spontaneous sweating 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 spontaneous sweating is often associated with shortness of breath, weak voice and palpitations in the pattern “Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause spontaneous sweating.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of spontaneous sweating 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 spontaneous sweating.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause spontaneous sweating
In Chinese Medicine spontaneous sweating is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
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 spontaneous sweating, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and palpitations.
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".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
This pattern includes general Qi Deficiency signs along with Heart symptoms. It is often caused by blood-loss or excessive emotions, particularly sadness.
In addition to spontaneous sweating, other symptoms associated with Heart Qi Deficiency include palpitations, fatigue and pale face.
Heart Qi Deficiency is often treated with Bao Yuan Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bao Yuan 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 the Qi and warms the Yang".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Knotted (Jie), Weak (Ruo)
This pattern has similar symptoms to Heart Qi Deficiency, though they are usually more severe and include symptoms of Coldness. It is from similar causes as Heart Qi Deficiency, or can be from a Deficiency of Kidney Yang since that is the body's source of Yang.
In addition to spontaneous sweating, other symptoms associated with Heart Yang Deficiency include palpitations, fatigue and shortness of breath on exertion.
Heart Yang Deficiency is often treated with Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Cinnamon Bark - Rou Gui - as a key herb). Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify yin and yang", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Rectifies relationship between Yin and Yang".
Five herbal formulas that might help with spontaneous sweating
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 spontaneous sweating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which spontaneous sweating is a symptom.
Bao Yuan Tang
Why might Bao Yuan Tang help with spontaneous sweating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Qi Deficiency' of which spontaneous sweating is a symptom.
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Why might Liu Jun Zi Tang help with spontaneous sweating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which spontaneous sweating is a symptom.
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 1
Source date: 16th century
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Heart Qi . Calms the Mind and clear anxiety . Nourish the Heart Blood .
Why might Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 1 help with spontaneous sweating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Qi Deficiency' of which spontaneous sweating is a symptom.
Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Rectifies relationship between Yin and Yang. Harmonizes Heart and Kidney. Stabilizes and secures Essence.
Why might Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang help with spontaneous sweating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Yang Deficiency' of which spontaneous sweating is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for spontaneous sweating
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat spontaneous sweating
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with spontaneous sweating?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous sweating as a symptom, like Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang or Bao Yuan Tang for instance.
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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with spontaneous sweating?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous sweating as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with spontaneous sweating?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous sweating as a symptom, like Guo Qi Yin or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for instance.
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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with spontaneous sweating?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous sweating as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with spontaneous sweating?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat spontaneous sweating as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Ren Shen Ge Jie San for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Other symptoms often associated with spontaneous sweating
Shortness of breath Weak voice Palpitations Dizziness Poor appetite Fatigue Listlessness Loose stools Frequent Colds or Flu Tinnitus