Traditionally, Chinese herbalists do not prescribe herbs for symptoms alone. Therefore, when it comes to night sweats, a diagnosis will first be made according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM. Only then will a remedy be prescribed, which will include a balanced formulation of herbs rather than one herb on its own.
TCM Diagnosis for Night Sweats
Night sweats in TCM often signifies that the person has a type of yin deficiency. The associated organ system could be heart, liver or kidney. Other symptoms include having hot hands, feet and chest, a low-grade fever and dryness. Many times, the patient will have more symptoms than those associated with a single organ system or even yin deficiency alone. For example, in the case of menopausal women, there is frequently a liver pattern as well. A practitioner will often start with one basic formula and then modify it according to the person's diagnosis.
Western Diagnosis
We often think of night sweats in association with menopause. However, there are other diseases or syndromes that will include them as a symptom. Among these are diseases such as HIV/AIDS, leukemia, tuberculosis, osteomyelitis and endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
A basic formula used for kidney and liver yin deficiency is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, also called Six Flavor Teapill. This formula includes Shu Di Huang, or Chinese Foxglove Root; Shan Zhu Yu, or Cornus; Shan Yao, or Chinese Yam; Fu Ling, or Poria; Mu Dan Pi, or Peony tree Root; and Ze Zie, or Alisma. Heat is always associated with these deficiencies.
However, if the level of heat is more extreme, as is often the case with AIDS patients, the appropriate formula may include Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, also known as Artemisia Annua and Soft Shelled Turtle Shell Decoction. The formula contains Bie Jia, or Chinese Soft Shelled Turtle Shell; Qing Hao, or Wormwood; Sheng Di Huang, or Chinese Foxglove Root; Zhi Mu, or Anemarrhena; and Mu Dan Pi, or Peony Tree Root.
Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency with Heat
This pattern is characterized by night sweats that occur along with difficulty to fall asleep or stay asleep, irritability, anxiety and dry mouth and throat. The preferred herbal formula prescribed for this pattern is Suan Zao Ren Tang also called Sour Jujube Decoction. The ingredients in this formulation include Suan Zao Ren, or Sour Jujube Seed; Fu Ling, or Poria; Zhi Mu, or Anemarrhena; Chuan Xiong, or Szechuan Lovage Root; and Gan Cao, or Licorice Root.
Spleen Qi Deficiency with Heart Blood and Yin Deficiency
In this pattern, there is night sweating without heat that is accompanied by symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, insomnia and anxiety. The basic formula for this diagnosis is Gui Pi Tang, or as its known in English, Restore the Spleen Decoction. This formula includes Ren Shen, or Ginseng Root; Huang Qi, or Astragalus; Bai Zhu, or White Atractylodes Rhizome; Fu Ling, or Poria; Suan Zao Ren, or Sour Jujube Seed; Long Yan Rou, or Longan Fruit; Mu Xiang, or Costus Root; Zhi Gan Cao, or Honey Fried Licorice Root; Dang Gui, or Chinese Angelica Root; Yuan Zhi, or Chinese Senega Root; Sheng Jiang, or Fresh Ginger; and Da Zao, or Jujube.
Cautions
It is always best to have a trained and licensed practitioner prescribe your herbal remedies. This is the only way to obtain the formula that is right for your condition as each of the above patterns is very different and the formula for one person may be contradicted in the case of another. A qualified herbalist will also be aware of any possible contraindications concerning other medications you are taking. If you do have a serious disease such as AIDS or hepatitis, you should always consult a physician before taking any herbs.
Member Comments