Feeling Of Guiltaccording to TCM

What is Feeling of Guilt?

A feeling of guilt is an emotional response that arises when a person believes they have violated a moral or ethical standard. This emotion often involves a deep sense of remorse, self-reproach, and responsibility for perceived wrongdoings, whether real or imagined. While guilt can be a temporary feeling that prompts corrective action, persistent guilt can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and even depression. It is a complex emotion that, when unresolved, can have significant psychological and physical repercussions, influencing one's overall sense of well-being.

How Does TCM View Feeling of Guilt?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a feeling of guilt is seen as an emotional imbalance that can stem from various patterns of disharmony within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which often treats guilt as a purely psychological issue, TCM considers it a manifestation of deeper physiological imbalances, particularly those affecting the Heart and Blood.

The TCM approach emphasizes the need to identify the specific pattern of disharmony causing the emotion before initiating treatment. This holistic view integrates both emotional and physical health, aiming to restore balance and harmony within the body.

Root Causes of Feeling Of Guilt in TCM

In TCM, a feeling of guilt can be attributed to several underlying patterns of disharmony. One common cause is Heart Blood Deficiency, where the Heart lacks sufficient Blood to nourish the Mind, leading to emotional disturbances such as guilt, vivid dreams, and hysteria. Individuals with this pattern may feel easily startled and have difficulty calming their Minds.

Another potential cause is Heart Yin Deficiency, characterized by insufficient Yin, which leads to feelings of uneasiness, night sweats, and a sensation of heat, particularly in the palms. This Deficiency often results in emotional instability, manifesting as guilt and anxiety. While these are two prevalent patterns, it is important to recognize that other disharmonies may also contribute to feelings of guilt, necessitating a personalized approach to treatment.

Explore below more details about what might cause Feeling of guilt according to TCM.

Blood Deficiency

Blood Deficiency in TCM is like when your body's tank runs low on the vital energy that blood provides. It's not exactly the same as anemia in modern medicine, which is about having too few red blood cells. Instead, Blood Deficiency in TCM is about your body not having enough of the life-giving qualities that blood brings, like nourishment and moisture. This can make you feel tired, look pale, and even feel dizzy or have blurry vision. It's like a garden not getting enough water to stay lush and vibrant. TCM sees this as an imbalance where the body isn't being nourished as it should be, impacting overall health and well-being.... see more

Blood Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Feeling Of Guilt

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency	Feeling of guilt, Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia	Gui Pi Tang

Yin Deficiency

Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more

Yin Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Feeling Of Guilt

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Heart Yin Deficiency	Feeling of guilt, Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia... see more	Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang

Heart

In TCM the Heart is considered the "emperor" of all organs, primarily responsible for governing Blood and housing the mind, known as "Shen." It plays a crucial role in maintaining mental-emotional equilibrium and controlling the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body. When the Heart is imbalanced or malfunctions in TCM, it can lead to a range of issues like heart palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety, and a flushed complexion. Emotional disturbances such as excessive joy or lack of joy are also seen as signs of Heart disharmony. These symptoms reflect not just physical heart conditions but also the state of one's Shen, indicating the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being in TCM.... see more

Heart Patterns That Can Lead to Feeling Of Guilt

Common Symptoms: Easily Startled Vivid Dreaming Hysteria Neurasthenia Palpitations Insomnia Poor Memory Dizziness

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency	Feeling of guilt, Easily startled, Vivid dreaming, Hysteria, Neurasthenia	Gui Pi Tang
Heart Yin Deficiency	Feeling of guilt, Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia... see more	Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Feeling Of Guilt

The treatment of guilt in TCM involves using specific herbal formulas tailored to address the underlying pattern of disharmony. For example, Gui Pi Tang is commonly used for Heart Blood Deficiency, as it tonifies both Qi and Blood, helping to calm the mind and alleviate feelings of guilt. This formula includes Ginseng (Ren Shen) as a key herb, which is renowned for its ability to strengthen Qi.

For those with Heart Yin Deficiency, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan is often recommended. This formula nourishes the Heart and calms the mind, featuring Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang), which cools the Blood and replenishes Yin. Another formula, Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang, also nourishes Yin and tonifies Qi, making it suitable for addressing guilt linked to Yin Deficiency.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address feeling of guilt, organized by cause and by formula type.

Top Formula for Blood Deficiency:
Gui Pi Tang

Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause feeling of guilt, such as Heart Blood Deficiency

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Top Formula for Yin Deficiency:
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

Suitable for Yin Deficiency patterns that may cause feeling of guilt, such as Heart Yin Deficiency

Learn more

All Formulas Recommended for Feeling Of Guilt Caused by Yin Deficiency

Formula	Patterns Suitable For
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan	Heart Yin Deficiency
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang	Heart Yin Deficiency

TCM Herbs for Feeling Of Guilt

Explore below some TCM herbs used to address feeling of guilt, organized by herb category.