Dizziness in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dizziness may arise from several different patterns of imbalance. Some patterns involve excess conditions such as rising Liver Fire or Phlegm, while others reflect deficiencies of Qi, Blood, Yin, or Kidney Essence.

The pattern identified helps determine the appropriate treatment strategy, formula, and dietary recommendations.

Pattern Key Symptoms Treatment Principle Traditional Formula Food Therapy
Liver Fire Rising Acute dizziness, severe headache, red eyes, irritability, ringing in the ears, bitter taste, nosebleeds Clear Liver Fire and nourish Yin Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Spinach, watercress, asparagus, black fungus, chestnuts
Yin Deficiency with Yang Rising Chronic dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats, insomnia, hot sensations, red cheeks, weight loss Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin and subdue Yang Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang Celery, duck egg, white fungus, oyster, bamboo shoots
Yin and Yang Deficiency Dizziness worsened by fatigue, cold limbs, low energy, palpitations, tinnitus, weakness Nourish Yin, support Yang, and strengthen Kidney function Shen Qi Wan Sweet potato, yam, dates, chicken, mutton, mushrooms
Phlegm-Dampness (Spleen Deficiency) Heavy-headed dizziness, nausea, poor appetite, feeling unable to move, excess mucus, fatigue Transform Phlegm, resolve Dampness, and strengthen the Spleen Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang Ginger, mustard seed, dates, bamboo shoots, pear
Qi and Blood Deficiency Dizziness worsened by activity, fatigue, palpitations, insomnia, pale complexion, low voice Tonify Qi, nourish Blood, strengthen Spleen and Heart Gui Pi Tang Longan fruit, yam, sweet rice, chestnuts, grapes

Understanding Dizziness in TCM

One of the unique features of Chinese medicine is that the same symptom may have many different causes.

For example:

  • A person with red eyes, irritability, and severe headaches may be experiencing a Liver Fire pattern.

  • A person with fatigue, pale complexion, and dizziness when standing may have a Qi and Blood Deficiency pattern.

  • A person with heavy sensations in the head and abundant mucus may have a Phlegm-Dampness pattern.

Because of this, treatment focuses on identifying the underlying pattern rather than treating dizziness as a single condition.

Related Formulas

  • Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

  • Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

  • Shen Qi Wan

  • Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

  • Gui Pi Tang