Excessive Sweatingaccording to TCM

*redirected from Sweating

What is Excessive Sweating?

Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a condition characterized by abnormally high levels of perspiration. This condition can affect various parts of the body including the palms, feet, underarms, and face, and may occur even when the body does not need cooling. It can be a result of primary causes, where the sweating is the main problem, or secondary causes, linked to underlying health issues such as endocrine disorders, infections, or neurological conditions. Regardless of the cause, excessive sweating can significantly impact a person's quality of life, causing discomfort and social embarrassment.

How Does TCM View Excessive Sweating?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), excessive sweating is seen as a manifestation of internal imbalances and disharmonies within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which often targets the symptoms directly, TCM aims to identify and treat the root causes. In TCM,it can arise from various patterns such as Heat, Wind, Dampness, Cold, and Yin Deficiency. Determining the precise pattern is essential for effective treatment, as each pattern requires a specific therapeutic approach to restore balance and harmony.

Root Causes of Excessive Sweating in TCM

Excessive sweating in TCM can stem from various underlying patterns of disharmony. One such pattern is Kidney Yin Deficiency, characterized by symptoms like back pain, hearing loss, dry mouth and throat at night, and excessive sweating. This condition reflects a Deficiency in the Yin energy of the Kidneys, leading to imbalances that manifest as excessive perspiration.

Another pattern is Empty-Cold, which presents with symptoms such as chills, cold extremities, pale face, and spontaneous sweating. This pattern indicates a deficiency in the body's Yang energy, causing the body to react with profuse sweating despite feeling cold.

Explore below more details about what might cause Excessive sweating according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Heat
  • Wind
  • Dampness
Detailed description of the cause

Heat

In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more

Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Excessive Sweating

Common Symptoms: Thirst Fever Feeling Of Heat Aversion To Cold Abdominal Pain Abdominal Fullness Anal Burning Sore Throat

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine Sweating, Abdominal pain, Abdominal fullness, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools, Anal burning, Scanty and dark urine, Fever, Excessive sweating, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Feeling of heaviness... see more Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang | Shao Yao Tang
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire Sweating, Fever, Thirst, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry throat, Dry cough, Aversion to cold, Dry mouth... see more Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang | Xing Su San | Sang Xing Tang
Exterior-Heat Sweating, Aversion to cold, Fever, Excessive sweating, Thirst, Body pain, Stiff neck Yin Qiao San | Shi Gao Tang
Lung Heat Sweating, Feeling of heat, Thirst, High fever, Cough with thin yellow sputum, Shortness of breath, Excessive sweating, Acne... see more Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang | Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan | Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin | Xie Bai San | Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Wind-Heat Sweating, Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm... see more Xiao Feng San | Yin Qiao San | Sang Ju Yin | Cong Chi Tang | Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang | Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang | Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang | Fang Feng Tong Sheng San | Bing Peng San | Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin | Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines Profuse sweating, Sweating on limbs, Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Dry stools, Thirst, Dark urine, Anal burning, Irritability, Delirium... see more Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang | Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Bright Yang Stomach Heat Profuse sweating, High fever, Excessive sweating, Excessive thirst, Flushed face, Feeling of heat, Irritability, Delirium... see more Bai Hu Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Excessive Sweating

To treat excessive sweating due to Kidney Yin Deficiency, TCM practitioners often prescribe formulas like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. This formula, with Prepared rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) as a key herb, nourishes Yin and tonifies the kidneys, addressing symptoms such as excessive sweating and dry throat at night.

For Empty-Cold patterns, Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is commonly used. This formula features Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) and is designed to warm the Middle and dispel Cold, relieving symptoms like chills, cold extremities, and spontaneous sweating. The selection of the appropriate formula depends on the patient's specific pattern of disharmony, ensuring a tailored and effective treatment approach.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address excessive sweating, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Heat
  • Wind
  • Dampness

All Formulas Recommended for Excessive Sweating Caused by Heat

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Yin Qiao San Exterior-Heat, Wind-Heat
Sang Xing Tang Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Xiao Feng San Wind-Heat
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
Shao Yao Tang Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Xing Su San Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
Shi Gao Tang Exterior-Heat
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang Lung Heat
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan Lung Heat
Pi Pa Qing Fei Yin Lung Heat
Xie Bai San Lung Heat
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang Lung Heat
Sang Ju Yin Wind-Heat
Cong Chi Tang Wind-Heat
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang Wind-Heat
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang Wind-Heat
Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang Wind-Heat
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San Wind-Heat
Bing Peng San Wind-Heat
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin Wind-Heat
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan Wind-Heat
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
Bai Hu Tang Bright Yang Stomach Heat

Acupoints for Excessive Sweating

In TCM, acupuncture points are strategically chosen to address the root causes of excessive sweating. One significant acupoint is Hegu LI-4, located between the first and second metacarpal bones. This point is effective in expelling exterior Wind, regulating defensive Qi, and harmonizing the body's Yin and Yang.

Another important point is Quchi LI-11, which helps clear Heat and expel Wind. By stimulating these points, practitioners aim to restore the body's natural balance and reduce excessive sweating. Combining acupuncture with herbal formulas provides a holistic approach, treating both the symptoms and the underlying causes of excessive sweating for long-term relief.

See more details below about Hegu LI-4, an acupoint used to address excessive sweating.

  • By Meridian
  • Large Intestine Channel
Hegu LI-4

Hegu LI-4

Between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

Added to Cart