{"id":6303,"date":"2022-01-30T09:46:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-30T09:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=condition&#038;p=6303"},"modified":"2025-05-25T10:54:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T09:54:44","slug":"fatigue-tcm-perspective","status":"publish","type":"condition","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/condition\/fatigue-tcm-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Fatigue: A traditional Chinese medicine perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>Persistent tiredness, also known as fatigue, has a multitude of expressions and aetiologies in both TCM and allopathic medicine.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-1625171 ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-accordion--open ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"true\"><style>.ugb-1625171 .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Understanding fatigue in TCM<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img width=\"1300\" height=\"866\" src=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled-1300x866.jpg\" alt=\"Fatigue A traditional Chinese medicine perspective\" class=\"wp-image-6306\" style=\"width:505px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled-1300x866.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Persistent tiredness has a multitude of expressions and etiologies in both TCM and allopathic medicine. From post-exam weariness to post-viral fatigue (as is often seen in ME\/CFS) where utter exhaustion renders one bedbound, fatigue is a complex and, seemingly, pervasive aspect of modern life. Owing to this, the chronic nature of the condition and the clinical challenge it presents modern medicine, fatigue is perhaps the most common complaint seen in TCM clinics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cSheng zhi lai, wei zhi jing\u201d<\/em> (<em>That which comes with life is called the essence<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cFu jing zhe, shen zhi ben ye\u201d<\/em> (<em>Essence is the root of the body. <\/em>(1 p118))<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>TCM holds a sobering, yet wise, view of our individual capacity for vitality. Inherited from our parents at the moment of conception in the form of <em>jing<\/em> (vital <em>essence<\/em>), it is etched in stone before we have taken our first breath. <em>Essence<\/em> resides in the (TCM) Kidneys and is the basis of kidney <em>qi<\/em> &#8211; our body\u2019s primary motive force and the source of all <em>yin<\/em> and <em>yang<\/em> energies in the body. The amount of <em>essence<\/em> we receive determines our lifelong constitution and is finite. If respected and protected for the gift that it is (in TCM it is called a \u2018<em>bao<\/em>\u2019 or \u2018treasure\u2019), it may be preserved and optimised to foster long, healthy and dynamic lives (1-3).<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-84cad30 ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-84cad30 .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">How does fatigue work in TCM?<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21125533\/Fatigue-woman-sofa-tired-scaled-e1711551224291.jpg\" alt=\"Fatigue\" class=\"wp-image-3227\" style=\"width:519px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21125533\/Fatigue-woman-sofa-tired-scaled-e1711551224291.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21125533\/Fatigue-woman-sofa-tired-scaled-e1711551224291-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21125533\/Fatigue-woman-sofa-tired-scaled-e1711551224291-1300x867.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/21125533\/Fatigue-woman-sofa-tired-scaled-e1711551224291-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Each day we produce <em>qi<\/em> (energy) and blood from the air we breathe and the food and drink we consume. If our daily expenditure is within that being made, we create surplus <em>qi<\/em> and blood and this supports our <em>jing<\/em>, so that we dip in to it only as much as is necessary. When <em>qi<\/em> and blood production is inadequate or our stores of <em>jing <\/em>depleted, we will experience tiredness or even exhaustion (<em>xu lao<\/em>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The translation of <em>xu lao<\/em> (xu-deficiency, lao-tiredness) is telling as deficiency &#8211; of <em>qi<\/em>, blood, <em>yin<\/em> or <em>yang<\/em> &#8211; is typically at the root of chronic tiredness. However, excess and combined excess-deficient patterns are also common and this is a very important distinction to make as they require different treatment approaches. Tonifying in a case of excess will exacerbate symptoms. In combined patterns, we must often clear the excess aspect (e.g. <em>phlegm<\/em>) before tonifying the deficiency (e.g. Spleen <em>qi<\/em> deficiency).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Deficient patterns:<\/strong> Deficiency of <em>qi<\/em>, blood, <em>yin<\/em> or <em>yang<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Excess patterns: <\/strong>Traditionally relate to the presence of <em>dampness<\/em>, <em>phlegm<\/em> and <em>qi<\/em> stagnation. In the latter, the resources are there, they are simply rendered inaccessible by poor circulation. Where dampness prevails, the body\u2019s fluids stagnate and can accumulate forming phlegm.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Combined deficient-excess patterns:<\/strong><em> <\/em>These are clinically far more common. An important, and timely, example being <em>residual pathogenic factor<\/em> (e.g. post-viral fatigue), where an underlying deficiency both enables an \u2018invasion\u2019 of an external pathogenic factor (virus, bacteria etc) and undermines the body\u2019s ability to adequately expel it. It is also a combined condition in the sense that the trapped pathogen (typically <em>heat<\/em> with <em>damp<\/em> or <em>phlegm<\/em>) will, over time, lead to or exacerbate a state of deficiency (often <em>qi<\/em> or <em>yin<\/em>). Unfortunately, this deficiency then leaves us vulnerable to further pathogenic attacks. (2-5)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-0c53ea7 ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-0c53ea7 .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Understanding the root<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<p>While such biomedical conditions as anaemia, cancer and hypothyroidism must always be ruled out in cases of persistent fatigue, some common causes of tiredness from the TCM perspective include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A weak constitution:<\/strong> Inherited weak <em>jing\/ <\/em>Kidney<em> qi<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Overwork (both mental and physical<\/strong>, including excessive physical exercise) and inadequate rest \u2013 Kidney and Spleen deficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of exercise:<\/strong> <em>Qi<\/em> stagnation, <em>dampness<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stress and\/ or depression: <\/strong>Stagnate Liver <em>qi<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chronic worry or fear:<\/strong> Injure the Spleen and Kidney<em> qi<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diet lack of adequate nutrition:<\/strong> Blood and <em>qi<\/em> deficiency, excessive <em>damp<\/em>-forming foods (cold, raw, greasy, sweetened foods, alcohol, dairy and (for some) wheat) &#8211; <em>damp<\/em>, excessive caffeine \u2013 <em>yin<\/em> deficiency, overeating &#8211; <em>dampness<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chronic bacterial or viral infections:<\/strong> Made more likely by not resting during the acute phase of the infection and\/ or an underlying deficiency (e.g. <em>defensive qi<\/em> (immunity), Kidney <em>qi<\/em>). Inadequate rest during acute illness renders our <em>defensive qi<\/em> unable to fight off the pathogenic factor(s). TCM holds that while antibiotics kill bacteria, they do not clear <em>heat<\/em> or resolve <em>phlegm<\/em> or <em>damp<\/em>, but actually weaken the Spleen, creating more <em>damp<\/em> and deficiency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chronic illness:<\/strong> Kidney and Spleen deficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Childbirth:<\/strong> A long labour, heavy loss of blood during labour and\/ or where the mother has not been adequately rested and tonified afterwards \u2013 Kidney, <em>qi<\/em> and blood deficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recreational drug use: <\/strong>Kidney and Liver deficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Candida<\/em> infection:<\/strong> Often presents as a <em>damp<\/em> pattern<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Excessive sexual activity: <\/strong>Depletes <em>jing<\/em> (especially for men). \u2018Excessive\u2019 will be defined differently according to individual constitutions. (3-6)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-eada41b ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-eada41b .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Signs and symptoms<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<p>There are a plethora of TCM bodily <em>patterns<\/em> for tiredness. These are understood by whether they are excess or deficient in nature and which energies, substances and organ(s) are affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a very general nutshell, accompanying signs and symptoms can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Excess: <\/strong>The radial pulse will feel \u2018full\u2019 rather than weak. The pulse is the primary indicator of whether a pattern is excess or deficient. As most cases are combined excess-deficient, the pulse also indicates which predominates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deficient:<\/strong> \u2018Weak\u2019 radial pulse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Damp<\/em>: <\/strong>Feeling of heaviness (worse for rest) with aching limbs and muscles (the greater the ache, the more <em>damp<\/em> present), \u2018fogginess\u2019<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Phlegm<\/em>:<\/strong> As per <em>damp<\/em> with mucus, sensation of oppression of the chest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Qi<\/em> stagnation:<\/strong> Mental tension, irritability, a pulse that feels taught like a guitar string&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Qi <\/em>deficiency<em>:<\/em><\/strong><em> <\/em>Weakness, pale tongue, loose stools (Spleen), frequent colds (Lung), palpitations (Heart)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blood deficiency:<\/strong> Pale tongue and face<em> &nbsp;<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Yang <\/em>deficiency:<\/strong> Exhaustion, <em>cold<\/em> signs and sensations, pale, swollen tongue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>Yin <\/em>deficiency:<\/strong> Exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, a red, dry tongue, <em>heat<\/em> signs and sensations, (especially in the afternoon and evening)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Residual pathogenic factor:<\/strong> Generally a combination of <em>damp-heat<\/em> or <em>damp<\/em>&#8211;<em>phlegm<\/em> signs following an acute invasion by a pathogenic factor (virus, bacteria etc). (3-6)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Common patterns include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Spleen <em>qi<\/em> deficiency:<\/strong> Tiredness, poor appetite, loose stools, weak limbs, poor digestion, gas and bloating, prolapsed organs, a pale tongue with teeth marks and a weak pulse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Liver <em>qi<\/em> stagnation with Spleen <em>qi<\/em> deficiency: <\/strong>As above plus tension, moodiness, PMT, tongue may be red on the sides, pulse is taught (if Liver <em>qi<\/em> stagnation predominates).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spleen and Heart <em>qi<\/em> deficiency:<\/strong> As per Spleen <em>qi<\/em> deficiency plus palpitations, depression, timidity, a midline crack on the tongue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kidney <em>yin<\/em> deficiency:<\/strong> Exhaustion, soreness of the lower back, malar flush, nightsweats, waking at night, a red tongue with no \u2018coat\u2019 and a fast, thin and weak pulse. (4,6,7)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-906068c ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-906068c .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Herbal solutions<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<p>While a greater quantity of high quality research in to TCM for fatigue is needed, recent research studies yield promising results, indicating that treatment with TCM may be both beneficial and free of side effects. (8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/black-cohosh\/\"><img width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/21124001\/black-cohosh-full-leaves-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)\" class=\"wp-image-7051\" style=\"width:592px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/21124001\/black-cohosh-full-leaves-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/21124001\/black-cohosh-full-leaves-scaled.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/21124001\/black-cohosh-full-leaves-scaled.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/21124001\/black-cohosh-full-leaves-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/21124001\/black-cohosh-full-leaves-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/21124001\/black-cohosh-full-leaves-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Black cohosh (<em>Cimicifuga racemosa<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Common formulas for the above patterns include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><em>Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (BZYQT)<\/em>: Tonify the Centre and Boost the <em>Qi <\/em>Decoction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a classic formula for treating fatigue from deficient and \u2018sunken\u2019 <em>qi<\/em>. (9) <em>BZYQT<\/em> and <em>XCHT<\/em> (below) combined have shown favourable results in research trials for the treatment of CFS from Liver <em>qi<\/em> stagnation with Spleen <em>qi<\/em> deficiency. (7,8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This formula contains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Huang qi<\/em> (<em>Radix Astragali<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/astragalus\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"2575\">Astragalus root<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Ren shen <\/em>(<em>Radix Ginseng<\/em>, Ginseng) or <em>dang shen* <\/em>(<em>Radix Codonopsis, <\/em>Codonopsis)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Bai zhu <\/em>(<em>Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/atractylodes\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"12471\">white Atractylodes<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Dang gui <\/em>(<em>Angelica Sinensis<\/em>, Chinese angelica root)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Chai hu <\/em>(<em>Bupleurum Chinensis<\/em>, Bupleurum)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Sheng ma <\/em>(<em>Cimicifuga Foetida, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/black-cohosh\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"7045\">Black Cohosh<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Chen pi<\/em> (<em>Citrus Reticulata, <\/em>aged tangerine peel)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Zhi gan cao <\/em>(honey-fried<em> Radix Glycyrrhizae<\/em>, Licorice root)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><em>Xiao Chai Hu Tang<\/em> <em>(XCHT): <\/em>Minor Bupleurum decoction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tonifies <em>qi<\/em> whilst clearing damp-heat and Liver <em>qi <\/em>stagnation. It can be used in cases of fatigue from excessive alcohol intake and is the main formula for <em>Shaoyang<\/em> syndrome \u2013 a residual pathogenic factor pattern where the body produces alternating chills and fever in its attempt to push the invading pathogen from the interior to the exterior and thus expel it. (9)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This formula contains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Chai hu<\/em> (Bupleurum Chinensis, Bupleurum)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Huang qin<\/em> (<em>Scutellaria Baicalensis, <\/em>Scutellaria)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Ban xia<\/em> (<em>Rhizoma Pinelliae<\/em>, Pinellia rhizome)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Sheng jiang<\/em> (<em>Zingiberis Officinalis, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/ginger\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"94\">fresh ginger<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Ren shen<\/em> (<em>Radix Ginseng<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/ginseng\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"1845\">Ginseng<\/a>) or <em>dang shen*<\/em> (<em>Radix Codonopsis, <\/em>Codonopsis)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Zhi gan cao<\/em> (honey-fried<em> Radix Glycyrrhizae<\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/licorice\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"5819\">Licorice root<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Da zao<\/em> (<em>Ziziphus Jujuba<\/em>, Jujube). <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><em>Gui Pi Tang (GPT)<\/em>: Restore the Spleen decoction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>GPT <\/em>tonifies Spleen <em>qi<\/em> and Heart blood and is particularly effective for cases of deficiency from over-thinking, worry or studying where digestion and sleep have been affected. (9) Recent research studies have found it a useful treatment for CFS with Spleen <em>qi<\/em> and Heart blood deficiency. (7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both <em>BZYQT<\/em> and <em>GPT<\/em> have been shown to have positive immune-regulating effects. Beneficial for treating CFS, known for its irregular immune presentations. (8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This decoction contains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Huang qi <\/em>(<em>Radix Astragali<\/em>, Astragalus root)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Ren shen <\/em>(<em>Radix Ginseng<\/em>, Ginseng) or <em>dang shen* <\/em>(<em>Radix Codonopsis, <\/em>Codonopsis)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Bai zhu <\/em>(<em>Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae<\/em>, white Atractylodes)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Fu ling <\/em>(<em>Poria Cocos, <\/em>Polyporaceae fungi)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Dang gui <\/em>(<em>Angelica Sinensis<\/em>, Chinese angelica root)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Mu xiang <\/em>(<em>Radix Aucklandiae Lappae, <\/em>Costuss root)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Long yan rou <\/em>(<em>Euphoria Longan, <\/em>Longan fruit)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Suan zao ren <\/em>(<em>Zizyphus Spinosae, <\/em>Jujube seeds)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Yuan zhi <\/em>(<em>Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae, <\/em>Chinese Senega root)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Sheng jiang <\/em>(<em>Zingiberis Officinalis, <\/em>fresh ginger)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Da zao <\/em>(<em>Ziziphus Jujuba<\/em>, Jujube)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Zhi gan cao <\/em>(honey-fried<em> Radix Glycyrrhizae<\/em>, Licorice root)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>* When substituting dang shen for ren shen, 2-3 times the dosage is needed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\"><em>Liu Wei Di Huang Tang<\/em>: Six ingredients Rehmannia pill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a Kidney <em>yin<\/em> tonic formula including<em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/rehmannia\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"6245\">shu di huang<\/a> (Rehmannia Glutinosa, Chinese Foxglove root) <\/em>and <em>shan zhu yu <\/em>(<em>Cornus Officinalis<\/em>, Chinese Dogwood berries) shown to enhance the cognitive ability in dementia patients and the elderly (8) and may, therefore, be appropriate for CFS patients who fit the Kidney yin deficiency pattern and experience \u2018brain fog\u2019 (poor memory, difficulty concentrating, confusion etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:21px\">Medicinal mushrooms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In particular, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/reishi\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"4285\">ling zhi<\/a><\/em> (<em>Ganoderma Lucidum<\/em>, Reishi) and <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/cordyceps\/\" data-type=\"herb\" data-id=\"6216\">dong chong xia cao<\/a> <\/em>(<em>Cordyceps Sinensis<\/em>, Cordyceps) are well-known tonics that benefit the immune system and may be taken daily for extended periods. \u201cThe proven ability of mushroom nutrition to promote a shift away from a Th2dominant immune response and increase anti-viral activity makes it a natural source of&nbsp; support for CFS patients with good clinical results\u201d (10 p99).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-84ae7b6 ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-84ae7b6 .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">Holistic solutions<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rest<\/strong> is of vital importance. However, for those with excess conditions, rest may exacerbate symptoms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exercise<\/strong> is also critically important but should be tailored to the individual. One approach will not necessarily work for all. In TCM, <em>excess<\/em> conditions such as <em>qi<\/em> stagnation and <em>dampness<\/em> will readily benefit from physical activity but <em>deficiency<\/em> patterns will need to tread carefully so as not to worsen their condition. <em>Qi gong <\/em>and breathing techniques where the aim is to cultivate <em>qi <\/em>are ideal in these situations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Meditation<\/strong> helps to curb the impact of chronic difficult emotions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diet <\/strong>needs to be individualised. For example, <em>damp<\/em> patterns will do well to limit or avoid <em>damp<\/em>-forming foods and bone broths, while excellent tonics for <em>qi<\/em>, blood and <em>jing <\/em>may not be appropriate for those with <em>heat<\/em> or <em>yin<\/em> deficiency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For the sore throat<\/strong> so frequently present in CFS, pear juice may be sipped frequently. (11)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Acupuncture<\/strong> is especially helpful for cases of stagnation and addressing individual symptoms associated with fatigue such as headache, insomnia and depression. Herbs, however, are perhaps more appropriate in cases of deficiency of blood, yin and yang and for resolving phlegm and damp. Acupuncture may also be beneficial from an immunomodulatory viewpoint. (12)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Moxibustion<\/strong> made from the herb <em>ai ye<\/em> (<em>Artemisia Vulgaris<\/em>, Mugwort), moxa is used to warm acupuncture points and areas of the body and is an excellent adjunctive treatment in cases of lowered immunity, <em>damp<\/em>, <em>cold<\/em>, <em>qi<\/em>, blood or <em>yang <\/em>deficiency. (6)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ugb-accordion ugb-accordion ugb-44efcf9 ugb-accordion--v2 ugb-accordion--design-plain ugb-main-block\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><style>.ugb-44efcf9 .ugb-accordion__title{font-size:26px !important}<\/style><div class=\"ugb-inner-block\"><div class=\"ugb-block-content\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__item\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__heading\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><h2 class=\"ugb-accordion__title\">References<\/h2><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" class=\"ugb-accordion__arrow\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\"><path d=\"M16.7 3.3L10 10 3.3 3.4 0 6.7l10 10v-.1l10-9.9z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content\" role=\"region\"><div class=\"ugb-accordion__content-inner\">\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Flaws B. <em>Statements of Fact in Traditional Chinese Medicine. <\/em>9<sup>th<\/sup> ed. Boulder: Blue Poppy Press; 2010.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kaptchuk T. <em>Chinese Medicine:<\/em> <em>The Web That Has No Weaver. <\/em>2<sup>nd<\/sup> ed. London: Rider Books; 2000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maciocia G. <em>The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists<\/em>. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1989.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maciocia G. <em>Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Guide<\/em>. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2004.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maciocia G. \u201cMyalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)\u201d. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.acupuncture.com\/Conditions\/cfids_me.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/www.acupuncture.com\/Conditions\/cfids_me.htm<\/a>. Accessed January 12 2022.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tierra L. <em>Healing with the Herbs of Life<\/em>. New York: Crossing Press; 2003. <em>&nbsp;<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zhang X et al. \u201cAdvances in Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome\u201d. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,&nbsp;December 2 2020. doi.org\/10.1155\/2020\/4715679<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chen R et al. \u201cTraditional Chinese Medicine for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome\u201d. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.&nbsp;2010 Mar; 7(1): 3\u201310.&nbsp;doi:&nbsp;10.1093\/ecam\/nen017<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Barolet R, Bensky D. <em>Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies. <\/em>Washington: Eastland Press Inc.; 1990.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Powell M. <em>Medicinal Mushrooms: A Clinical Guide<\/em>. Eastbourne: Mycology Press; 2010.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maclean W, Lyttleton J. <em>Clinical Handbook of Internal Medicine: The Treatment of Disease with Traditional Chinese Medicine<\/em>. Vol 1. Sydney: University of Western Sydney; 1998.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volf N, Ferdman L. \u201cThe Mechanisms of Immunomodulation in Acupuncture\u201d. International Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017. 9(6): 00320. doi:&nbsp;10.15406\/ijcam.2017.09.00320.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6306,"parent":0,"menu_order":-215,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_integration_method":"","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"f6c7971b-bef3-447a-9e15-76b1d720277e","beyondwords_preview_token":"bd305963-8cd4-40d1-b98a-a8ef084227cb","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[627,373,48,376],"conditions":[696],"writer":[],"class_list":["post-6303","condition","type-condition","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-burnout","tag-chinese-medicine","tag-fatigue","tag-tcm","conditions-nervous-system"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled.jpg",2000,1333,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled-600x600.jpg",600,600,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled-1000x667.jpg",1000,667,true],"large":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled-1300x866.jpg",580,386,true],"banner_image":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled-1600x800.jpg",1600,800,true],"gform-image-choice-sm":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled.jpg",300,200,false],"gform-image-choice-md":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled.jpg",400,267,false],"gform-image-choice-lg":["https:\/\/i.herbalreality.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/21124349\/Fatigue-A-traditional-Chinese-medicine-perspective-scaled.jpg",600,400,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>Persistent tiredness, also known as fatigue, has a multitude of expressions and aetiologies in both TCM and allopathic medicine. Understanding fatigue in TCM Persistent tiredness has a multitude of expressions and etiologies in both TCM and allopathic medicine. From post-exam weariness to post-viral fatigue (as is often seen in ME\/CFS) where utter exhaustion renders one bedbound, fatigue is a complex and, seemingly, pervasive aspect of modern life. Owing to this, the chronic nature of the condition and the clinical challenge it presents modern medicine, fatigue is perhaps the most common complaint seen in TCM clinics. \u201cSheng zhi lai, wei zhi&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"","author_info_v2":{"name":"Jessika Thiele","url":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/author\/jessikat\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/condition\/6303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/condition"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/condition"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/condition\/6303\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6303"},{"taxonomy":"conditions","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/conditions?post=6303"},{"taxonomy":"writer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/writer?post=6303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}