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.
Unsteadiness 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 unsteadiness 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 unsteadiness is often associated with dizziness, sweating that doesnt reduce fever and palpitations in the epigastrium in the pattern “Exterior Cold invading the Interior”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause unsteadiness.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of unsteadiness we’ve identified three 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 unsteadiness.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause unsteadiness
In Chinese Medicine unsteadiness 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.
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the king ingredient for Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
In addition to unsteadiness, other symptoms associated with Exterior Cold invading the Interior include dizziness, sweating that doesnt reduce fever and palpitations in the epigastrium.
Exterior Cold invading the Interior is often treated with Da Huang Fu Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). Da Huang Fu Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm and purge", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Interior".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to unsteadiness, other symptoms associated with Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency include dizziness, loose stools and blurred vision.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency is often treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bu Zhong Yi Qi 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 of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)".
Three herbal formulas that might help with unsteadiness
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 unsteadiness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Exterior Cold invading the Interior' of which unsteadiness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Exterior Cold Invading The Interior include dizziness, sweating that doesnt reduce fever and palpitations in the epigastrium.
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 unsteadiness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency' of which unsteadiness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen And Stomach Qi Deficiency include dizziness, loose stools and blurred vision.
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1675 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi. Removes Dampness. Moves Qi. Alleviates pain.
Why might Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang help with unsteadiness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency' of which unsteadiness is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen And Stomach Qi Deficiency include dizziness, loose stools and blurred vision.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat unsteadiness
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with unsteadiness?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat unsteadiness as a symptom, like Zhen Wu Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi 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 Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with unsteadiness?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat unsteadiness as a symptom, like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with unsteadiness?
Because Prepared Aconite is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat unsteadiness as a symptom, like Da Huang Fu Zi Tang or Zhen Wu Tang for instance.
Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with unsteadiness?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat unsteadiness as a symptom, like Zhen Wu Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang 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.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with unsteadiness?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat unsteadiness as a symptom, like Zhen Wu Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
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.
Other symptoms often associated with unsteadiness
Dizziness Loose stools Blurred vision Deafness Tinnitus Shortness of breath Weak voice Pale complexion Poor appetite Intermittent fever that worsens upon exertion