Chen Jiadong’s experience in treating dizziness on May 11, 1979

Chen Jiadong’s experience in treating dizziness on May 11, 1979

Traditional Chinese medicine master Chen Jiadong’s experience in treating dizziness generally follows the ancient principle that “no phlegm, no dizziness; no deficiency, no dizziness; no wind, no dizziness.”

1. No phlegm, no dizziness

Those belonging to this category are mostly modern medical ear-related dizziness, often treated based on the principles and formulas in “Jin Gui Yao Lue · Phlegm and Fluids, Cough, and Related Diseases: Diagnosis and Treatment,” such as “If there is phlegm and fluid accumulation below the heart, with fullness in the chest and flanks, and dizziness, use Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang”; “If someone has shortness of breath and slight fluid retention, it should be eliminated through urination, use Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang”; “If a thin person has palpitations below the navel, spits out saliva, and experiences dizziness, it’s due to water, use Wuling San”; “If someone suddenly vomits, feels bloated in the stomach, has fluid in the intercostal space, and experiences dizziness and palpitations, use Ban Xia plus Poria”; “If there is fluid accumulation below the heart, and the person suffers from dizziness, use Ze Xie Tang.” Based on this, the “Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang” formulated Er Chen Tang, which is essentially Ban Xia plus Poria with added tangerine peel. The addition of tangerine peel strengthens the phlegm-clearing and root-treating effects of the formula, while also promoting qi circulation and relieving stagnation (since dampness tends to obstruct qi flow). Er Chen Tang’s phlegm-clearing effect is most evident in middle-jiao deficiency and cold, and the “Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang” further modified the formula to create Liu Jun Zi Tang, which not only clears phlegm but also tonifies deficiency. Adding Guizhi to this formula enhances its effectiveness. Ze Xie Tang and Wuling San are used to treat dizziness because they eliminate fluid accumulation. Later generations of physicians have further developed these ideas, even using Plantago psyllium and Zhen Wu Tang to treat dizziness.

2. No deficiency, no dizziness

This refers to dizziness caused by anemia, neurasthenia, low blood pressure, or cerebral arteriosclerosis in modern medicine. Treatments include Gui Pi Tang, Ba Zhen Tang, and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. Master Chen treats this type of dizziness with Zhen Wu Tang combined with Astragalus membranaceus, Cornus officinalis, raw dragon bone, and oyster shell, which proves quite effective. I believe this formula may be particularly suitable for dizziness caused by cerebral arteriosclerosis, as this type of dizziness is often associated with yang deficiency, and Erxian Tang combined with Jisheng Shenqi Tang is effective in treating it.

3. No wind, no dizziness

This category includes dizziness caused by hypertension, treated with Zhang Xichun’s Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, which nourishes yin and calms yang, achieving good results. Mr. Zhang also uses simple yin-nourishing methods, such as using only Ligustrum lucidum to treat this condition; or using only pearl oyster to calm yang and nourish yin, which is also effective. There is also a type of dizziness characterized by flushed face, thick yellow tongue coating, and tense, slippery pulse (indicating sympathetic dominance), which can be treated with Huanglian Wen Dan Tang plus 12g of Trichosanthes kirilowii; and another type of dizziness involving dry vomiting, spitting out saliva, and headache, treated with Xiao Ban Xia plus Poria combined with Wu Zhu Yu.