Yawningaccording to TCM

What is Yawning?

Yawning is an involuntary action characterized by the opening of the mouth accompanied by a deep inhalation of air, stretching the eardrums, followed by a shorter exhalation. Often seen as a sign of tiredness or boredom, yawning is believed to help increase oxygen intake and cool the brain.

However, excessive or frequent yawning, especially when not related to fatigue, can be a sign of underlying health issues. While common and usually benign, understanding the triggers and patterns of yawning can offer insights into one's overall health.

How does TCM view Yawning?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives yawning as a symptom indicative of underlying imbalances within the body's Qi (vital energy) or Blood. Unlike Western medicine, which often views yawning as a reflex or a response to sleepiness or boredom, TCM associates it with specific patterns of disharmony.

These patterns may involve Blood Deficiency, Qi Stagnation, or the imbalance of Yin and Yang. Identifying the root cause of yawning according to TCM is essential for providing effective treatment aimed at restoring balance and harmony within the body.

Root Causes of Yawning in TCM

In TCM, yawning is primarily associated with Blood deficiency and Qi stagnation. A common pattern involves Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation, where the insufficient Blood fails to nourish the Heart properly, leading to symptoms like frequent yawning, confusion, and emotional disturbances.

This condition reflects an intricate relationship between the Heart and the Liver, emphasizing the importance of nourishing Blood and ensuring the smooth flow of Qi to alleviate yawning. Addressing these underlying causes is crucial for treating yawning in TCM, focusing on both the physical and emotional well-being of the individual.

Explore below more details about what might cause Yawning 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 Yawning

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation	Frequent yawning, Confusion, Melancholia, Crying, Abnormal behavior, Insomnia, Yawning	Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

Qi Stagnation

Qi Stagnation in TCM is like having a traffic jam in your body's energy system. Qi, the vital life force that flows through your body, is supposed to move smoothly to maintain health and balance. But with Qi Stagnation, this flow gets blocked or slowed down, like cars stuck on a highway. This can lead to symptoms like feeling stressed, emotional mood swings, and physical discomfort, often described as a feeling of fullness or tightness, especially in the chest or abdomen. It's as though the body's internal energy circulation is disrupted, causing various issues. TCM sees this as an energy flow problem, different from modern medicine's focus on specific physiological processes.... see more

Qi Stagnation Patterns That Can Lead to Yawning

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation	Frequent yawning, Confusion, Melancholia, Crying, Abnormal behavior, Insomnia, Yawning	Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

Liver

In TCM the Liver is viewed as the organ responsible for the smooth flow of Qi, Blood, and emotions throughout the body. It plays a key role in regulating mood, storing blood, supporting digestion, and ensuring the health of tendons and eyes. When the Liver malfunctions or is imbalanced in TCM, it can lead to a range of issues such as irritability, mood swings, menstrual irregularities, eye problems, and muscular stiffness or pain. A malfunctioning Liver in TCM reflects not only physical disturbances but also emotional and mental disharmony, emphasizing the holistic approach of TCM in addressing health and wellness.... see more

Liver Patterns That Can Lead to Yawning

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation	Frequent yawning, Confusion, Melancholia, Crying, Abnormal behavior, Insomnia, Yawning	Gan Mai Da Zao 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 Yawning

Pattern Name	Relevant Symptoms	Relevant Formulas
Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation	Frequent yawning, Confusion, Melancholia, Crying, Abnormal behavior, Insomnia, Yawning	Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Yawning

To treat yawning associated with Blood deficiency and Qi stagnation, TCM recommends specific formulas such as Gan Mai Da Zao Tang. This formula, containing Light Wheats (Fu Xiao Mai) as a key herb, is designed to nourish the Heart and calm the Mind, directly addressing the root causes of yawning linked to emotional distress and Blood Deficiency.

By harmonizing the Heart and Liver, and nourishing Blood, Gan Mai Da Zao Tang helps reduce the frequency of yawning and restores a sense of balance and well-being.

See more details below about Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, a herbal formula used to address yawning.

Top Formula for Blood Deficiency:
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

Suitable for Blood Deficiency patterns that may cause yawning, such as Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation

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Top Formula for Qi Stagnation:
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

Suitable for Qi Stagnation patterns that may cause yawning, such as Heart Blood Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation

Learn more

Acupoints for Yawning

TCM also employs acupuncture to target yawning, focusing on acupoints that promote the smooth flow of Qi and Blood. Points such as Daying ST-5 in the Stomach Channel and Lieque LU-7 in the Lung Channel are particularly effective.

Daying ST-5 is used to expel Wind, which in TCM terms can disturb the flow of Qi, while Lieque LU-7 descends and diffuses Lung Qi, also helping to expel external Wind and open water passages. Stimulating these acupoints can help address the underlying imbalances causing yawning, offering a complementary approach to herbal treatment.

Explore below some acupoints used to address yawning, organized by meridian.

Daying ST-5

On the lateral mandible, on the anterior border of masseter muscle, in the groove-like depression appearing when the cheek is bulged.

Lieque LU-7

Above the styloid process of the radius, about 1.5 cun proximal to the wrist crease (wrist joint space) in a V-shaped depression.