Chinese Herb Remedy for Night Sweats

Chinese medicine views health and the body in a different way than Western medicine. Chinese medicine relies on analysis of the chi, or life force, to diagnose physical illnesses. It also works to affect the chi to cure those same illnesses. Herbs play a big part in manipulating a patient's chi to help with a physical condition, including night sweats.

Chinese Views of the Causes of Night Sweats

Chinese medicine names several possible causes for night sweats. The first is a heart blood deficiency. A second is a deficiency in heat in the chi with a deficiency in yin in the chi. The chi must be balanced in yin and yang for health. In addition to night sweats, a deficiency in yin can cause insomnia, fatigue, restlessness and a dry mouth.

Night Sweats Caused by Heart Blood Deficiency

In Chinese medicine, sweat is considered a fluid of the heart. Night sweats, sometimes accompanied by heart palpitations, insomnia, fatigue and paleness, may be caused by a heart blood deficiency. If the diagnosis is for this type of night deficiency, herbs to help tone the blood in the heart and an astringent for the sweat may be prescribed. The herb si wu tang combined with one of the following astringents may be indicated: Wu wei dz, long gu, my li, fu xiao mai. A single treatment of gui pi tang may also be used.

Night Sweats Caused by Yin Deficiency With a Cool Chi

The physical symptoms for night sweats caused by a yin deficiency with a deficiency of chi heat are similar to symptoms for night sweats caused by heart blood deficiency. Because of this, it is very important to see a traditional Chinese medical practitioner. Treatments for night sweats caused by these deficiencies are designed to boost the yin. A common treatment is liu wei di huang wan with an astringent. One recommended astringent is fu xiao mai. In addition to medicinal herbs, people diagnosed with night sweats due to a yin deficiency should eat foods that fortify the yin. Some of these foods are: Barley, millet, beans, dairy and meat protein, sesame seeds and walnuts, asparagus, yams and potatoes, seaweed, tomatoes, apples, pears, bananas and avocados.