Tianma Gouteng Yin
Specifically for Epilepsy
0 up • 0 down
Why it works for Epilepsy:
TCM rationale
- Tianma Gouteng Yin was created to calm Liver yang, extinguish internal wind, clear heat, invigorate blood, and nourish Liver–Kidney—a pattern often associated in TCM with tremors, spasms, and some seizure presentations. It’s traditionally considered when seizures arise from “internal wind.” Me & Qi
Biomedical mechanisms (by key herbs)
- Gastrodia elata (Tian Ma): major constituent gastrodin shows anticonvulsant, GABAergic, anti-glutamatergic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models; long used in East Asia for “spasm/epilepsy.” Frontiers
- Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gou Teng) and its alkaloid rhynchophylline demonstrate anticonvulsant activity in animal seizure models, involving MAPK/JNK pathways and glutamatergic modulation. Wiley Online Library
- Other formula members (e.g., Scutellaria baicalensis [Huang Qin], Gardenia jasminoides [Zhi Zi]) have neuroprotective/anti-inflammatory profiles that could theoretically complement anticonvulsant effects, though direct epilepsy data are sparse. (See full formula lists below.) Sacred Lotus
How to use for Epilepsy:
Classical composition & preparation (decoction)
- Typical ingredients & weights (classical ranges): Tian Ma 9 g; Gou Teng 12–15 g; Shi Jue Ming (abalone shell) 18–24 g; Zhi Zi 9 g; Huang Qin 9 g; Yi Mu Cao 9–12 g; Chuan Niu Xi 12 g; Du Zhong 9–12 g; Sang Ji Sheng 9–24 g; Ye Jiao Teng 9–30 g; Fu Shen 9–15 g. Preparation notes: Pre-decoct Shi Jue Ming; add Gou Teng near the end of the boil. Sacred Lotus
- Many modern patent/granule products contain the same 11 herbs (occasionally minor variations). Treasure of the East
Dosing formats (typical, adult)
- Water decoction: 1 prescription/day divided 2–3 doses; individualized by a licensed TCM practitioner. globinmed.com
- 5:1 granules/extract: commonly around 9 g/day in divided doses (brand dependent). globinmed.com
- Important: In TCM, pattern differentiation guides dose, herb substitutions, and course length; do not self-medicate for epilepsy—work with both a neurologist and a qualified TCM practitioner. Me & Qi
Scientific Evidence for Epilepsy:
For the exact formula (Tianma Gouteng Yin) in epilepsy
- High-quality randomized controlled trials specific to epilepsy are lacking. A 2021 review of human clinical trials of Chinese herbal medicine for epilepsy found only four trials total, none clearly testing this exact formula alone; overall evidence remains insufficient to support TCM formulas as proven antiepileptic therapies. Frontiers
- Some narrative reviews note adjustments of Tianma Gouteng Yin as adjuncts to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with reported seizure reduction, but these references are not robust RCTs and should be viewed as preliminary. Annals of Translational Medicine
For ingredients relevant to the formula
- Gastrodia/gastrodin: multiple animal studies and modern reviews support anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects; human epilepsy data remain limited. ScienceDirect
- Uncaria/rhynchophylline: animal studies show anticonvulsant effects and specific signaling-pathway involvement. Wiley Online Library
Evidence in other indications (not epilepsy)
- The formula does have clinical trials for hypertension (pattern: Liver-yang rising), including randomized studies and a Cochrane review; this supports cardiovascular and “wind-calming” claims but does not prove antiepileptic efficacy. Cochrane Library
Specific Warnings for Epilepsy:
Do not stop or reduce prescribed antiepileptic drugs (e.g., valproate, carbamazepine, levetiracetam) without your neurologist’s guidance. Combining herbs with AEDs can alter seizure control. (General caution echoed across reviews.) ScienceDirect
Herb–drug interactions
- Gastrodia + Valproic acid (VPA): preclinical data indicate pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interactions—co-administration changed VPA exposure and had neuroprotective effects in animal models. Clinical significance in humans is uncertain → monitor levels/response if combined. ScienceDirect
Blood pressure/sedation
- The formula can lower blood pressure (its best-studied effect) and may have sedative properties; caution if you’re hypotensive or using CNS depressants. Cochrane Library
Allergies & composition notes
- Contains abalone shell (Shi Jue Ming); shell-derived calcium salts are generally inert, but shellfish-allergic individuals should discuss with their clinician before use. (Ingredient documented in standard formula lists.) Sacred Lotus
Pregnancy & lactation: Safety data for this multi-herb formula in pregnancy/breastfeeding are insufficient; avoid unless a specialist deems it necessary. (Conservative guidance; no high-quality safety data.)
Quality control
- Use GMP-certified products to minimize contamination/adulteration risks; formulations and actual dosages vary by manufacturer, so follow professional directions. Treasure of the East
Who should supervise
- Because epilepsy is potentially life-threatening and the evidence base is limited, use only under dual supervision (neurologist + licensed TCM practitioner experienced with seizures). Frontiers
General Information (All Ailments)
What It Is
Tianma Gouteng Yin is a classical Chinese herbal formula traditionally used to address patterns associated—within TCM theory—with Liver Yang rising and internal wind. It is composed of herbal substances such as Gastrodia elata (天麻) and Uncaria rhynchophylla (钩藤), typically combined with herbs that nourish the Liver and Kidney yin, invigorate blood circulation, and calm what TCM calls “wind.”
Common modern indications within TCM include presentations like dizziness, headache, hypertension-type symptoms, tremor, tinnitus, or irritability—but crucially, always within the framework of a specific TCM pattern, not as a generic supplement.
How It Works (within TCM logic and modern hypotheses)
Within TCM physiology, the formula is understood to:
– Pacify internal wind to reduce spasmodic or tremor-like phenomena
– Settle hyperactive Yang to ease headache and dizziness
– Nourish yin and blood to treat the root not just the branch
– Support circulation to clear what TCM regards as “stagnation”
Biomedical hypotheses often proposed by researchers include:
– Neuroprotective and anti-excitotoxic / anti-convulsant effects of gastrodin (from Tianma)
– Mild hypotensive and vasodilatory effects suggested for Gouteng and adjuncts
– Antioxidant / anti-inflammatory actions of multiple constituents
Evidence base is mixed and varies in quality (many small, heterogeneous studies); mechanisms described above remain hypothesis or preclinical insights, not proof.
Why It’s Considered Important (in TCM clinical logic)
Practitioners regard this formula as valuable because it targets both roots and branches of a pattern that often expresses as vascular or neurologic-type symptoms. Instead of merely lowering blood pressure or merely easing headache, it simultaneously cools rising Yang, nourishes deficits, and calms internal wind, making it “multi-mechanistic” in TCM thinking.
Clinically it is used when pattern matches — not universally for all headaches, dizziness or tremors. Its importance is less about the formula itself than about its fit to a validated TCM diagnostic pattern, which is central to individualized care.
Considerations (risks, constraints, practice caveats)
– Pattern-dependence: It is inappropriate if there is not Liver-Yang-rising / wind pattern; in cold or deficiency-only patterns it may aggravate.
– Medical safety: Headache, dizziness, tremor, hypertension or tinnitus may reflect dangerous biomedical conditions (stroke, aneurysm, arrhythmia, temporal arteritis, etc.) that require immediate medical evaluation. Do not self-treat.
– Drug-herb interactions: Possible potentiation with antihypertensives, sedatives, antiepileptics, or anticoagulants. Medical and pharmacy review is prudent.
– Pregnancy/lactation: Use only with professional supervision.
– Duration and monitoring: Classical formulas are not intended for indefinite casual daily use; response and burden must be monitored by a qualified clinician.
– Quality control: Source purity, adulteration, pesticide/metal residue, and batch variability matter materially to safety.
Helps with these conditions
Tianma Gouteng Yin is most effective for general wellness support with emerging research . The effectiveness varies by condition based on clinical evidence and user experiences.
Detailed Information by Condition
Oxidative Stress
Targets redox pathways: Studies on the full formula (or close variants) show reductions in ROS and oxidative-stress markers, often via Nrf2/HO-1 and r...
Epilepsy
TCM rationaleTianma Gouteng Yin was created to calm Liver yang, extinguish internal wind, clear heat, invigorate blood, and nourish Liver–Kidney—a pat...
Community Discussion
Share results, tips, and questions about Tianma Gouteng Yin.
Loading discussion...
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation!
Discussion for Epilepsy
Talk specifically about using Tianma Gouteng Yin for Epilepsy.
Loading discussion...
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation!
Remedy Statistics
Helps With These Conditions
Recommended Products
No recommended products added yet.