Tremors 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.
hand tremor and tremor of limbs redirect here
Tremors 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 tremors 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 tremors is often associated with insomnia, dizziness and blurred vision in the pattern “Interior Wind”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause tremors.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of tremors 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 tremors.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause tremors
In Chinese Medicine tremors is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Gastrodia Rhizomes (Tian Ma) is the king ingredient for Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a formula used for Interior Wind
Interior Wind
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to tremors, other symptoms associated with Interior Wind include insomnia, dizziness and blurred vision.
Interior Wind 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".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to tremors, other symptoms associated with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency include insomnia, dizziness and blurred vision.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency is often treated with E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Donkey-Hide Gelatin - E Jiao - as a key herb). E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang 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: "Nourishes Yin".
Read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency here
Five herbal formulas that might help with tremors
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Source date: the Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin. Nourishes Blood. Calms the Liver. Extinguishes Wind.
Why might E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang help with tremors?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which tremor is a symptom.
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with tremors?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which tremor is a symptom.
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Source date: 1918 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Sedates the Liver. Axtinguishes Wind. Nourishes the Yin. Anchors the yang.
Why might Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang help with tremors?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which tremor is a symptom.
Bu Gan Tang
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and regulates the Blood. Nourishes the Liver Yin.
Why might Bu Gan Tang help with tremors?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency' of which fine tremor is a symptom.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with tremors?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency' of which fine tremor is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for tremors
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat tremors
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with tremors?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat tremors as a symptom, like Feng Yin Tang or E Jiao Ji Zi Huang 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with tremors?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat tremors as a symptom, like Bu Gan Tang or Si Wu Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
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.
Why might Rhubarb (Da Huang) help with tremors?
Because Rhubarb is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat tremors as a symptom, like Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang or Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan for instance.
Rhubarb is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Large intestine, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis.
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with tremors?
Because Peach Kernel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat tremors as a symptom, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang or Di Dang Tang for instance.
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with tremors?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat tremors as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan 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.
Other symptoms often associated with tremors
Insomnia Dizziness Blurred vision Convulsions Tinnitus Irritability Deafness Headaches Dry throat Numbness in the limbs