Disclaimer: All herbal teas, medicinal soups, acupuncture and Tui Na described in this article are only auxiliary wellness regimens for traditional health maintenance, not formal medical treatments. They cannot replace professional physician diagnosis, prescription drugs or clinical therapies. Anyone diagnosed with physical diseases shall strictly follow the treatment plans formulated by licensed medical practitioners. All TCM terminology, wellness regulation theories and traditional health philosophies in this text are solely for the inheritance, popularization and cultural exchange of traditional Chinese medicine. No content herein shall be deemed guidance for clinical diagnosis or medical treatment. Read more
Neuroasthenia is a common condition within the category of functional wellness. Its onset may be associated with mental strain and excessive worry, which can disrupt the balance between excitation and inhibition of the central nervous system, thereby affecting the normal patterns of higher neural activity. Common manifestations include fatigue, nervous sensitivity, difficulty sleeping with excessive dreaming, Heart palpitations, excessive worry, anxiety, and occasional low mood. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, neurasthenia may stem from emotional disturbances, excessive mental stress, or imbalances in the functions of the internal organs following a prolonged or severe wellness. If one experiences anger or frustration, this may lead to Liver Qi transforming into Heat, which can injure the Yin of the Heart and disturb the Shen, resulting in a temporary condition of Heat in both the Heart and Liver. Excessive anxiety or overwork may deplete the Heart and Spleen, leading to Spleen deficiency with reduced blood production, depriving the Heart of nourishment and causing the Shen to become unsettled, a pattern known as deficiency in both the Heart and Spleen. Overindulgence in sexual activity may deplete Kidney Yin, causing deficient Fire to rise, helps maintain Kidney Water from ascending to harmonize with the Heart, thus leading to a pattern of disharmony between the Heart and Kidney. These three patterns may all contribute to neurasthenia.
1.Enhanced Selfheal Tea
Ingredients: Selfheal (Xia Ku Cao, *Prunella vulgaris*) 30g, Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua, *Chrysanthemum morifolium*) 15g, Stir-fried Cassia Seed (Chao Jue Ming Zi, *Cassia obtusifolia*) 10g, Rock Sugar 20g.
Preparation: Coarsely grind the Selfheal, crush the rock sugar. Place all ingredients with chrysanthemum and cassia seed into a teapot, steep in boiling water, and drink as tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports comfortable movement. supports overall head comfort during occasional imbalances, especially for those with a tendency toward upward Liver Yang activity.
1.Modified Tangerine Peel Tea
Ingredients: Tangerine peel (Chenpi) 15 g (or fresh tangerine peel 30 g), Chinese yam (Shanyao) 10 g, Pinellia ternata (Banxia) 10 g.
Preparation: Grind the ingredients into a coarse powder, place in a cup, and steep with boiling water. Drink as a tea. Use 1 dose daily.
Benefits: supports the transformation of dampness and movement of the Spleen, helps maintain normal descending of Qi and occasional comfort. supports a balanced internal environment for individuals experiencing temporary head discomfort associated with Phlegm-Turbidity pattern.
2.Longan Shell and Chinese Date Tea
Ingredients: Longan shell (Dimocarpus longan, Longan shell), Chinese dates (Ziziphus jujuba, Dazao) – 50 g each.
Preparation: Boil the two ingredients in water twice, combine the decoctions, and use as a tea. Take one dose daily.
Function: supports Qi and blood harmony, nourishes the body, and helps maintain clear sensory function. Suitable for those with occasional discomfort associated with Qi deficiency pattern.
3.Ren Shen Yi Qi Cha (Ginseng Qi-Boosting Tea)
Ingredients: Panax ginseng (Ren Shen) 3g, Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 10g, Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu) 15g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao) 10g, sugar 30g.
Preparation: Coarsely grind the first four ingredients. Place the powder and sugar into a cup, steep with boiling water, and drink as tea. Take one dose daily.
Benefits: supports Qi and uplifts Yang, nourishes the nutritive aspect and benefits the sensory orifices, and helps maintain normal comfort in cases of Qi Deficiency pattern.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a condition resembling neurasthenia is classified into four patterns, with supports based on pattern differentiation.
1. Yin Deficiency with Yang Hyperactivity: Manifestations include dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia with excessive dreaming, irritability, palpitations, blurred vision, flushed face, dry mouth and throat, dark yellow urine, red tongue with thin yellow coating, and wiry rapid pulse. The recommended approach supports clearing Liver fire and nourishing the Heart to promote a calm spirit.
2. Heart and Spleen Deficiency: Manifestations include palpitations, insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep, timidity and restlessness, dizziness, poor memory, loss of appetite, epigastric fullness, pale complexion, emaciation, fatigue, irregular menstruation, pale tongue with white coating and tooth marks, and deep, thin, rapid pulse. The recommended approach supports strengthening the Spleen and replenishing Qi, nourishing blood and calming the Heart.
3. Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency: Manifestations include palpitations, restlessness and insomnia, fearful dreams, night sweats, poor memory, low spirits, soreness and weakness of the lower back and legs, possibly nocturnal emission or irregular menstruation, pale red tongue with thin white coating, and thin rapid pulse. The recommended approach supports nourishing yin and clearing heat, and harmonizing the Heart and Kidney.
4. Kidney Yang Deficiency: Manifestations include impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission, soreness and weakness of the lower back and legs, difficulty falling asleep or easily waking, frequent urination at night, intolerance of cold and cold extremities, pale tongue with white coating, and deep, thin, forceless pulse. The recommended approach supports tonifying the Kidney and strengthening yang.
1.Jiawei Qiju Dihuang Cha (Augmented Lycium Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Tea)
Ingredients: Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared root, Shu Dihuang) 15g, Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu) 15g, Dioscorea opposita (Shanyao) 12g, Paeonia suffruticosa (root bark, Danpi) 12g, Alisma orientale (rhizome, Zexie) 12g, Poria cocos (sclerotium, Fuling) 15g, Lycium barbarum (fruit, Gouqizi) 15g, Chrysanthemum morifolium (flower, Juhua) 6g, Ziziphus spinosa (seed, Suanzaoren) 10g, Dimocarpus longan (aril, Longyanrou) 18g.
Preparation: Decoct the above ingredients in water twice, combine the decoctions, and drink as a tea. Take one dose daily, divided into morning and evening servings.
Efficacy: supports the nourishment of Yin and helps maintain normal Liver function; promotes tranquility of the Heart and calms the Shen (spirit). Helps support a balanced internal environment for those with a Yin-deficient and Yang-hyperactive pattern.
2.Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), Longan Aril (Longyan), and Ziziphus spinosa (Suanzaoren) Tea
Ingredients: 15 grams each of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen), Longan Aril (Longyan), and Ziziphus spinosa (Suanzaoren).
Preparation: Grind the three ingredients into a coarse powder. Place the powder in a thermos flask, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. One dose per night.
Functions: supports healthy Spleen function and qi production, nourishes blood, and promotes mental calmness. This formula helps maintain overall balance for individuals with a tendency toward Heart and Spleen Deficiency.
3.Sangshen Shudi Baishao Tea (Mulberry, Rehmannia, and White Peony Tea)
Ingredients: Morus alba (Sangzhenzi, mulberry fruit), Rehmannia glutinosa (processed, Shudihuang), and Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao, white peony root), 15 g each.
Preparation: Grind the three ingredients into a coarse powder, place in a cup, pour boiling water over, cover and steep for 15–20 minutes. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: Helps nourish blood and supports a calm mind. supports Heart and Spleen health and promotes emotional well-being.
4.Baihe Maidong Cha (Lily and Ophiopogon Tea)
Ingredients: Lilium brownii (Baihe) 10g, Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) 15g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdi) 30g, Phellodendron chinense (Huangbai) 6g, Juncus effusus (Dengxin) 1g.
Preparation: Grind the above ingredients into coarse powder, place in a cup, and infuse with boiling water. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: supports yin nourishment and helps maintain a balanced internal environment. supports the harmonious communication between Heart and Kidney. Suitable for patterns of Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency.
5.Shen Dong Wu Wei Cha (Codonopsis, Ophiopogon, Schisandra Tea)
Ingredients: Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen) 15g, Ophiopogon japonicus (Maidong) 12g, Schisandra chinensis (Wuweizi) 10g.
Preparation: Grind the above ingredients into a coarse powder, place in a cup, and brew with boiling water. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: supports Qi and blood, helps maintain Yin and calms the spirit. supports the healthy function of the Heart and Kidneys, and promotes relaxation and emotional balance.
6.Jujube Seed and Honey Tea
Ingredients: 15 grams fried Sour Jujube Seed (Chao Suan Zao Ren, *Ziziphus jujuba* var. *spinosa*), 30 grams honey (Feng Mi).
Preparation: Place the Sour Jujube Seed in a cup, pour in boiling water, allow to cool until warm, then stir in honey. Drink as a tea. Take one dose each evening.
Efficacy: Helps calm the mind and supports restful sleep. It helps maintain a balanced internal environment and promotes overall well-being for those with Heart-Kidney Yin Deficiency patterns.
7.Chestnut and Longan Tea
Ingredients: Chestnuts (Castanea mollissima) 10 pieces, Longan Aril (Dimocarpus longan) 15 g.
Preparation: Grind the above two ingredients into a fine powder. Place in a cup, pour boiling water over, and drink as a tea. One dose daily.
Efficacy: supports blood nourishment and calms the spirit (Shen), and supports Kidney yang. Promotes overall well-being for individuals with Kidney yang deficiency pattern.
8.Sour Jujube Root and Danshen Tea
Ingredients: 50g Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (Suanzao) root, 12g Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen).
Preparation: Grind the two ingredients into coarse powder. Place in a thermos flask, pour in boiling water, and steep. Drink as a tea. One dose per day.
Efficacy: supports a relaxed state of mind and helps maintain normal sleep patterns.
TCM Terminology Disclaimer:All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, descriptions, and wellness expressions including but not limited to nourishing lungs, soothing throat discomfort, supporting respiratory comfort, clearing mild internal heat, balancing qi and blood, harmonizing bodily functions, and regulating general wellness featured on this website are traditional TCM cultural descriptions and historical wellness theories only. These phrases are used solely for traditional TCM knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation. They do not constitute medical efficacy claims, have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All TCM wording describes traditional auxiliary wellness conditioning effects only and should never be interpreted as clinical medical treatment results. Individuals with confirmed illnesses must seek professional medical diagnosis and follow standard Western medical treatment.
FDA Mandatory Disclaimer：These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Chinese herbal dietary supplements and traditional wellness practices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and serve only as daily auxiliary health support. If you have been diagnosed with any illness, please seek professional medical care and follow standard Western medical treatment regimens.
Love this! As someone who’s dealt with burnout before, I find TCM’s holistic approach to nerve health so refreshing. These blends sound like a gentle way to reset the nervous system. Can’t wait to try a few! Thanks for sharing.
Great article! I’ve been struggling with fatigue and overthinking lately. These TCM blends sound really helpful—definitely going to try a few. Do you recommend starting with just one blend or can you mix them?
“Thanks for sharing this! I’ve been dealing with a lot of mental fatigue lately, and it’s interesting to see how TCM addresses nerve wellness through Shen balancing. Do you have a favorite blend from the 12 for when stress feels overwhelming?”