Night Sweats

盜汗 / 盗汗

Sweating that occurs during sleep, commonly associated with yin deficiency.

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Constitution Care
Also Known As	Sweating at night, Night-time sweating, Sleep sweating, Sweat during sleep, Nocturnal sweating
Common Symptoms	Sweating that occurs during sleep and often stops after waking. The sweat may soak clothing or bedding, and the person may feel warm or restless before it starts. Dry mouth, warm palms or a thin body frame can appear in longer-standing cases.
Related TCM Patterns	Kidney Yin Deficiency · Yin Deficiency · Blood Deficiency
Related Classical Formulas	Qi Ju Di Huang Wan · Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan · Bai He Gu Jin Tang · Liu Wei Di Huang Wan · Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang · Suan Zao Ren Tang · Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan · Da Bu Yin Wan · Zuo Gui Wan · Mai Wei Di Huang Wan · Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang

Night Sweats in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, night sweats are classically associated with Yin deficiency patterns, including Kidney Yin deficiency. Differentiation looks at whether there is five-heart heat, a red tongue with little coating, tinnitus or lumbar soreness, and whether the sweating is purely nocturnal. Classical formulas are matched to these Yin-related pattern features rather than to night sweating alone. Accompanying signs such as tongue appearance, pulse quality and the presence of heat or cold help distinguish one presentation from another.

TCM Patterns Associated With Night Sweats

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
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 Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Da Bu Yin Wan Zuo Gui Wan Mai Wei Di Huang Wan
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.	Bai He Gu Jin Tang Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Qing Hao Bie Jia 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.	Suan Zao Ren Tang