Motion Sickness in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different motion sickness patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Motion sickness is a common disturbance of the inner ear that is caused by repeated motion such as the waves of the sea, the movement of a car, or the turbulence in an airplane. The condition is characterized by symptoms including dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. It occurs when the brain receives conflicting messages from the inner ears, eyes, and nerves in the extremities, and can significantly affect comfort and the ability to perform tasks.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the concept of 'pattern' is a cornerstone of diagnosis and treatment. A pattern is a complex of symptoms and signs that reflect a specific underlying imbalance in the body’s energy or organ systems. Understanding the pattern is crucial because TCM treatments are tailored to correct the specific imbalances identified in each individual.
Motion sickness, therefore, is seen as a manifestation of a disturbance in the body's energetic harmony. The precision in identifying the pattern allows practitioners to select the most appropriate herbs and acupuncture points to restore balance, prevent recurrence, and treat the individual holistically rather than just addressing the symptoms.
TCM Patterns for Motion Sickness
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause motion sickness
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
Diagnostic signs
Soggy (Ru), Slowed-down (Huan), Slippery (Hua), Deep (Chen)
The tongue is characteristically pale and swollen, often appearing puffy and tender, with clear teeth marks indented along both edges. The coating is white and greasy (or thick and greasy in more pronounced cases), reflecting the accumulation of Dampness in the Middle Burner. The tongue surface is typically moist or even excessively wet. In some cases, the coating may be slightly slippery. If the Dampness is particularly heavy, the coating may appear thick and white across the entire tongue body, sometimes most prominent in the centre (corresponding to the Spleen and Stomach area).
Phlegm in the Lower Burner
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua), Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Wiry (Xian)
The tongue is characteristically pale and swollen, often with teeth marks along the edges from pressing against the teeth, indicating fluid accumulation. The coating is notably thick, white, and greasy, particularly at the root (back portion) of the tongue, which corresponds to the Lower Burner. The entire tongue surface tends to appear wet or slippery. In some cases the coating may extend thicker toward the centre and rear while being thinner at the front, reflecting that the pathological material is concentrated in the lower and middle parts of the body.
Phlegm
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
The classic Phlegm tongue is swollen and pale with tooth marks along the edges, reflecting the Spleen's inability to properly manage fluids. The coating is the most diagnostic feature: it is characteristically white, thick, and greasy or sticky, indicating the presence of turbid Phlegm and Dampness. The tongue body is typically moist to wet. If Phlegm begins to transform with Heat, the coating may turn yellowish and greasy, but in the base pattern the coating remains white. The tongue body itself is not red or purple, distinguishing this from Phlegm-Heat or Phlegm with Blood Stasis transformations.
Herbal Formulas for Motion Sickness
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address motion sickness