🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Vertigo is a common condition among middle-aged and elderly individuals. "Xuan" refers to blurred vision or blackness before the eyes; "Yun" means dizziness, feeling one’s body or surroundings spinning, unsteadiness while standing. These two often coexist, hence collectively termed vertigo. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that vertigo arises from wind, phlegm, and deficiency, hence the saying: “No wind, no vertigo”; “No phlegm, no vertigo”; “No deficiency, no vertigo.”
No Wind, No Vertigo
TCM considers the liver as the organ governing wind and wood, responsible for free flow and regulation. Emotional distress or anger disrupts free flow, leading to qi stagnation transforming into fire, hyperactivity of liver yang, internal stirring of liver wind, disturbing clear orifices and causing vertigo.
Clinical presentation includes dizziness, head distension or pain, irritability, insomnia, vivid dreams, bitter taste in mouth, tinnitus, red face, elevated blood pressure—often triggered by emotional stress.
Treatment: Calm the liver, extinguish wind. Use Tianma Gouteng Decoction with modifications: Gastrodia elata 10g, Uncaria rhynchophylla 15g, Gardenia jasminoides 10g, Scutellaria baicalensis 10g, Hematite 30g, Eucommia ulmoides 10g, Cuscuta chinensis 10g, Polygonum multiflorum 15g, Prunella vulgaris 15g, Gentiana scabra 10g. Boil twice, mix equally, take morning and evening daily, one dose per day.
No Phlegm, No Vertigo
TCM states: “Spleen is the origin of phlegm production.”
Impaired spleen and stomach function leads to abnormal transformation and transportation of food essence, generating dampness and phlegm. Phlegm turbidity obscures the clear orifices, causing vertigo. Symptoms include dizziness, heavy-headedness, chest tightness, nausea, occasional expectoration of phlegm, poor appetite. Treatment: Transform dampness, expel phlegm. Use Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction with modifications: Pinellia ternata 10g, Atractylodes macrocephala 15g, Poria cocos 20g, Citrus reticulata peel 10g, Gastrodia elata 10g, Alisma orientale 15g, Ostrea gigas 30g, Glycyrrhiza 10g. Boil twice, mix equally, take morning and evening daily, one dose per day.
No Deficiency, No Vertigo
Excessive mental exertion, overwork, or irregular diet injure the spleen and stomach, or pre-existing spleen deficiency leads to inadequate source of vital substances, resulting in qi deficiency and failure of clear yang to rise, blood deficiency depriving the brain of nourishment, causing vertigo.
Excessive sexual activity, nocturnal emissions, or aging deplete kidney essence, leading to insufficient marrow and brain, also contributing to vertigo.
Treatment Formulas
If vertigo due to qi and blood deficiency: worsens with activity, triggered by fatigue, pale or sallow complexion, pale lips and nails, palpitations, shortness of breath, poor appetite, fatigue. Treatment: Tonify heart and spleen, replenish qi and blood. Use Gui Pi Tang as primary formula: Astragalus membranaceus 20g, Codonopsis pilosula 20g, Atractylodes macrocephala 10g, Poria cocos 15g, Angelica sinensis 15g, Ziziphus jujuba seed 20g, Polygala tenuifolia 10g, longan flesh 15g, Aquilaria agallocha 10g, Glycyrrhiza 10g, 10 jujubes. Boil twice, mix equally, take morning and evening daily, one dose per day.
If kidney essence depletion: vertigo, mental exhaustion, memory decline, soreness in waist and knees, nocturnal emission, tinnitus. For kidney yin deficiency: additional symptoms include five-palm heat; for kidney yang deficiency: cold extremities. For kidney yin deficiency: tonify kidney yin, use Zuo Gui Yin with modifications: Rehmannia glutinosa 20g, Cornus officinalis 15g, Dioscorea opposita 30g, Lycium barbarum 30g, Chrysanthemum morifolium 15g, Testudinis plastrum 10g, Ligustrum lucidum 15g, Achyranthes bidentata 10g. Boil twice, mix equally, take morning and evening daily, one dose per day. For kidney yang deficiency: use You Gui Yin to warm and tonify kidney yang: Rehmannia glutinosa 20g, Dioscorea opposita 30g, Cornus officinalis 15g, Cuscuta chinensis 15g, Lycium barbarum 30g, Cistanche tubulosa 20g, Prepared Aconite root 10g, Cinnamon bark 10g, Deer antler glue 15g. Boil twice, mix equally, take morning and evening daily, one dose per day.
Once vertigo occurs, treat according to these types through syndrome differentiation, using appropriate formulas—results are usually good, with noticeable improvement after 5–7 doses.
During treatment, maintain a nutritious, fresh, light diet; avoid greasy, sweet, spicy foods. Keep the room quiet, dimly lit, ensure adequate sleep. Maintain a cheerful mood and emotional stability—this is crucial for preventing vertigo onset and reducing attacks.