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 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 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 weak limbs is often associated with poor appetite, loose stools and tiredness in the pattern “Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause weak limbs.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of weak limbs 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 weak limbs.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause weak limbs
In Chinese Medicine weak limbs 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 weak limbs, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include poor appetite, loose stools and tiredness.
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 Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
Spleen Qi Deficiency is one of the most commonly seen TCM pattern. It is caused by unhealthy diet such as fat raw or cold food, bad eating habit, emotional stress or damp environment. It is the central pattern to all other Spleen disharmonies, because many other Deficiency patterns derive from it.
In addition to weak limbs, other symptoms associated with Spleen Qi Deficiency include poor appetite, loose stools and pale face.
Spleen 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 Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Deficient and Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to weak limbs, other symptoms associated with Stomach Deficient and Cold include poor appetite, tiredness and cold limbs.
Stomach Deficient and Cold is often treated with Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Maltose - Yi Tang - as a key herb). Xiao Jian Zhong Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)".
Three herbal formulas that might help with weak limbs
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 weak limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which weak limbs is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Heavy Menstruation.
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 weak limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which weak limbs is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Spleen Qi Deficiency include poor appetite, loose stools and pale face.
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Why might Xiao Jian Zhong Tang help with weak limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Deficient and Cold' of which weak limbs is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Deficient And Cold include poor appetite, tiredness and cold limbs.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat weak limbs
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with weak limbs?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak limbs as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu Jun Zi 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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with weak limbs?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak limbs 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with weak limbs?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak limbs 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 Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with weak limbs?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat weak limbs as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Liu Jun Zi Tang 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 Maltose (Yi Tang) help with weak limbs?
Because it is a key herb in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Stomach Deficient and Cold' (a pattern with weak limbs as a symptom)
Maltose is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Fortifies Qi and tonifies the Spleen. Soothes and tonifies the Middle Warmer. Lubricates the Lungs.
Conditions associated with weak limbs
Heavy menstruation Irregular menstruation Abnormal vaginal discharge
Other symptoms often associated with weak limbs
Poor appetite Loose stools Tiredness Dizziness Sticky vaginal discharge Depression Cold limbs Frequent urination Feeling of cold Tinnitus