Weak breath 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.
Weak breath 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 weak breath 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 weak breath is often associated with pale complexion, coma and palpitations in the pattern “Heart Yang Collapsing”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause weak breath.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of weak breath 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 weak breath.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause weak breath
In Chinese Medicine weak breath 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.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Yang Collapsing
Pulse type(s): Knotted (Jie), Minute (Wei), Hidden (Fu)
In addition to weak breath, other symptoms associated with Heart Yang Collapsing include pale complexion, coma and palpitations.
Heart Yang Collapsing is often treated with Shen Fu Tang, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Shen Fu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that rescue devastated yang", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores Yang".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidneys failing to receive Qi
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Tight (Jin), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to weak breath, other symptoms associated with Kidneys failing to receive Qi include shortness of breath on exertion, rapid breath and chronic cough.
Kidneys failing to receive Qi is often treated with You Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). You Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm yang and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang".
Four herbal formulas that might help with weak breath
Shen Fu Tang
Source date: 1445 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Restores Yang. Strongly tonifies the source Qi. Saves Qi from collapsing due to devastated Yang.
Why might Shen Fu Tang help with weak breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Yang Collapsing' of which weak breath is a symptom.
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with weak breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidneys failing to receive Qi' of which weak breath is a symptom.
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Directs rebellious Qi downward. Arrests wheezing. Stops coughing. Warms and transforms Phlegm-Cold.
Why might Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang help with weak breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidneys failing to receive Qi' of which weak breath is a symptom.
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Source date: 1047 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Qi. Augments the Kidneys. Stops coughing. Arrests wheezing.
Why might Ren Shen Ge Jie San help with weak breath?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidneys failing to receive Qi' of which weak breath is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat weak breath
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with weak breath?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak breath as a symptom, like Ren Shen Ge Jie San or Su Zi Jiang Qi 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 Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) help with weak breath?
Because Cinnamon Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak breath as a symptom, like You Gui Wan or Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang for instance.
Cinnamon Bark is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with weak breath?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak breath as a symptom, like Shen Fu Tang or Ren Shen Ge Jie San 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 Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with weak breath?
Because Prepared Aconite is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak breath as a symptom, like You Gui Wan or Shen Fu 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with weak breath?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak breath as a symptom, like Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang or You Gui Wan 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.
Other symptoms often associated with weak breath
Pale complexion Coma Palpitations Shortness of breath Shallow Respiration Cold hands and feet Purple lips Heavy sweating Shortness of breath on exertion Rapid breath