Chinese Herbs for Panic Attacks and Heart Palpitations

A panic attack is anxiety at its most physical: the heart pounds, the chest tightens, breath comes short, hands tingle, and the mind is certain something terrible is happening. Heart palpitations – the sudden awareness of a fast, hard or irregular heartbeat – often come with it, or on their own at night. Chinese medicine has a specific and old vocabulary for this: it calls it “the spirit is not anchored.” Chinese herbs for panic attacks and palpitations work by anchoring it. This article is a companion to our main guide on herbal remedies for anxiety and stress.

Rule One: Get the Heart Checked

Palpitations are usually benign, but new, frequent or irregular palpitations – especially with chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath or a family history of heart disease – need an ECG and a doctor’s assessment before anything else. Thyroid problems, anemia and some medications also cause palpitations. Herbal treatment starts once those are ruled out or being treated.

Panic and Palpitations in TCM

• Heart Blood and Yin deficiency – palpitations that are worse when tired or at night, with poor sleep, dizziness, pale complexion or night sweats. The spirit has nothing to rest in.
• Phlegm-heat harassing the Heart – panic with nausea, a heavy chest, agitation, a thick yellow tongue coating; often in people who eat late and drink.
• Liver Qi stagnation with heat rising – panic triggered by stress or anger, with a flushed face, tight ribs and headaches.
• Heart and Gallbladder Qi deficiency – being easily startled, timid, panicking at small things, with light sleep and vivid dreams.
• Kidney and Heart not communicating – palpitations with hot flashes, low back ache and waking in the early hours; common in menopause.

Anchoring Herbs

Long Gu (Dragon Bone) and Mu Li (Oyster Shell)

Heavy mineral substances that “anchor” rising Yang and settle the spirit; the core of most panic formulas.

Ci Shi (Magnetite) and Zhen Zhu Mu (Mother-of-Pearl)

Further anchoring minerals for severe palpitations and fright.

Suan Zao Ren, Bai Zi Ren and Long Yan Rou

Nourish Heart Blood so there is something for the spirit to rest in.

Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood) and Yuan Zhi (Polygala)

Calm the mind and clear the phlegm that “mists” it.

Chai Hu and Huang Qin

Release the stress-triggered type.

Classic Formulas

• Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang – the signature formula for panic with palpitations, tension and disturbed sleep.
• Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang – palpitations with fatigue, cold hands and night sweats.
• Wen Dan Tang – panic with nausea and being easily startled.
• Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan – palpitations with Yin deficiency and insomnia.
• Gui Pi Tang – palpitations from exhaustion and worry.

During an Attack

Herbs are preventive; they reduce how often and how hard attacks come, but they do not stop one in progress. For the moment itself: lengthen the out-breath (four counts in, eight out), press firmly on the point Nei Guan (PC-6, three finger-widths above the inner wrist crease), and sip warm water. Over weeks of treatment, most people find the attacks shorter, milder and rarer.

Safety

Mineral herbs are heavy on digestion and are balanced with Spleen herbs; they are not used in pregnancy without guidance. Tell your herbalist about beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, antidepressants and sedatives. See also Chinese herbs for anxiety and insomnia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chinese herbs stop panic attacks completely?

For stress-driven panic in an otherwise healthy person, attacks often stop or become rare within two to three months. Long-standing panic disorder usually needs herbs plus therapy.

Which herb is best for a racing heart?

Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell for anchoring, with Blood-nourishing herbs behind them – always as a formula, not alone.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Chinese herbs are not a replacement for diagnosis or treatment from your physician. Always tell your doctor and your herbalist about every medication and supplement you take.