Fatigue & Low Energy

體疲乏力 / 体疲乏力

Persistent tiredness and reduced physical strength.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Energy & Vitality
Also Known As	Low energy, Tiredness, Lack of vitality, Feeling drained, Chronic fatigue feeling
Common Symptoms	A persistent sense of low energy, heaviness or reduced stamina that is not fully relieved by rest. Daily tasks may feel effortful, motivation can drop, and there may be a preference for sitting or lying down. The fatigue can be physical, mental, or both, and may worsen after exertion or in the afternoon.
Related TCM Patterns	Qi Deficiency · Yang Deficiency · Blood Deficiency · Kidney Yang Deficiency · Kidney Yin Deficiency · Summer Heat · Qi Stagnation · Spleen Qi Deficiency · Yin Deficiency
Related Classical Formulas	Qi Ju Di Huang Wan · Xiao Jian Zhong Tang · Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang · Xiao Yao San · Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang · Si Ni Tang · Si Wu Tang · Shi Quan Da Bu Tang · Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang · Ba Zhen Tang · Liu Wei Di Huang Wan · Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang · Ma Huang Fu Zi Xi Xin Tang · Liu Yi San · Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang · Yu Ping Feng San · Shen Su Yin · Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang · Sheng Yu Tang · Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan · Sheng Mai San · Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang · Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang · Gui Pi Tang · You Gui Wan · Ju Yuan Jian · Huan Shao Dan · Zhi Gan Cao Tang · Yang He Tang

Fatigue & Low Energy in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fatigue and low vitality are read through multiple possible patterns rather than as one diagnosis. Yang deficiency, Kidney Yin deficiency, Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, Qi stagnation and Spleen Qi deficiency are among the patterns that may present with low energy. Differentiation looks at whether the person feels cold or warm, whether there is shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, dizziness, loose stools, or emotional constraint, and how the tongue and pulse present. Classical formulas are matched to the underlying pattern, not to tiredness as a single label.

TCM Patterns Associated With Fatigue & Low Energy

The same presentation may be understood through more than one pattern. Pattern differentiation weighs the accompanying signs, not the symptom on its own.

Pattern	Common Features	Related Formulas
Qi Deficiency氣虛證Deficiency Patterns	Easy fatigue, shortness of breath on mild effort, a soft or low voice, and spontaneous sweating with light activity. The complexion is often pale, and recovery after exertion is slow. There may be a tendency to catch external pathogens more easily. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty.	Shi Quan Da Bu Tang Ba Zhen Tang Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang Yu Ping Feng San Shen Su Yin Sheng Yu Tang Sheng Mai San Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang Gui Pi Tang Ju Yuan Jian Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Yang Deficiency陽虛證Deficiency Patterns	Aversion to cold, cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and clothing, and low energy that worsens in cold weather. There may be loose stools, clear copious urine, a pale puffy face, and reduced libido or lumbar weakness. The person feels better with warmth and worse with cold exposure. Tongue pale and possibly swollen with a white coating; pulse deep and weak.	Xiao Jian Zhong Tang Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang Si Ni Tang Ma Huang Fu Zi Xi Xin Tang Yang He Tang
Blood Deficiency血虛證Deficiency Patterns	A pale or sallow complexion, dry hair or skin, light-headedness on standing, blurred vision, and easy fatigue. In women the menstrual flow is often scanty and pale. Sleep may be light, and the hands and feet can feel numb when tired. Tongue pale and thin; pulse thin and weak.	Si Wu Tang Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang
Kidney Yang Deficiency腎陽虛證Deficiency Patterns	Cold lower back and knees, cold limbs, clear copious urine or frequent nocturia, and reduced sexual drive or premature ejaculation. Energy is low, especially in the morning or in cold weather, and stools may be loose. The face can look pale and slightly puffy. Tongue pale and swollen with a white coating; pulse deep and weak, especially in the chi position.	Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan You Gui Wan Huan Shao Dan
Kidney Yin Deficiency腎陰虛證Deficiency Patterns	Soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, tinnitus or dizziness, night sweats, warm palms and soles, and dry mouth or throat that is worse at night. Sleep may be light, and the person often prefers cool drinks. The frame may be thinner. Tongue red with little coating; pulse thin and rapid.	Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Summer Heat暑熱證Exterior Patterns	Fever or a strong sense of heat after exposure to hot weather, heavy sweating, thirst, and fatigue or heaviness of the body. There may be irritability, scanty dark urine, and a preference for cool drinks. Symptoms often start in high summer. Tongue red with a dry yellow coating; pulse rapid and possibly soft or large.	Liu Yi San Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang
Qi Stagnation氣滯證Stagnation Patterns	Distension, tightness or a constrained feeling in the chest, flanks or abdomen that comes and goes with emotion or stress. Frequent sighing, a sense that emotions are hard to move, and in women premenstrual breast or lower abdominal discomfort are common. Symptoms often ease after movement, expression or belching. Tongue may be normal or slightly dusky; pulse wiry.	Xiao Yao San
Spleen Qi Deficiency脾氣虛證Deficiency Patterns	Poor appetite, loose or unformed stools, fatigue that worsens after meals, a pale or sallow complexion, and a soft or low voice. There may be abdominal fullness after eating, easy bruising, or a tendency toward thin white phlegm. The person often feels better with rest and simple warm food. Tongue pale with a thin white coating; pulse weak or empty.	Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Yin Deficiency陰虛證Deficiency Patterns	Dry mouth and throat, night sweats or warm palms and soles, a thin body frame, and restlessness that is worse in the afternoon or at night. Sleep may be light, and there is often a preference for cool drinks. Symptoms feel empty rather than forceful. Tongue red with scant coating; pulse thin and rapid.	Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang