Anxiety Disorders - Heart-Gallbladder Qi Deficiency Pattern

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Anxiety Disorders · Heart-Gallbladder Qi Deficiency Pattern

Updated: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Whole Body

Pattern Overview

Heart-Gallbladder Qi Deficiency is a common pattern in anxiety disorders, characterized by amygdala-prefrontal cortex circuit dysfunction, anxiety, palpitations, fearfulness, and easy startling. The core pathogenesis is insufficient Heart Blood and Gallbladder Qi failing to calm the spirit, leading to excessive fear response, emotional instability, and autonomic dysfunction.

Key Symptoms and Differentiation Points

| Differentiation Dimension | Manifestations |

| :— | :— |

| Primary Symptoms | Anxiety, palpitations, fearfulness, easy startling |

| Associated Symptoms | Insomnia, restlessness, poor memory, timidity |

| Tongue and Pulse | Pale red tongue with thin white coating, thready and weak or wiry pulse |

| Pathogenesis | Heart Blood and Gallbladder Qi deficiency failing to calm the spirit |

| Etiology | Constitutional weakness, chronic stress, trauma, overwork |

Acupuncture Point Prescription

| Point | Location | Function |

| :— | :— | :— |

| Shenmen (HT7) | On the wrist crease, ulnar side | Source point of Heart meridian; calms the spirit |

| Danshu (BL19) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T10 | Back-Shu point of Gallbladder meridian; supplements Gallbladder Qi |

| Xinshu (BL15) | Lower back, 1.5 cun lateral to T5 | Back-Shu point of Heart meridian; nourishes Heart Blood |

| Qiuxu (GB40) | Depression anterior and inferior to the lateral malleolus | Source point of Gallbladder meridian; regulates Gallbladder Qi |

| Baihui (GV20) | On the midline of the head, 5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline | Lifts Qi and calms the spirit |

Clinical Recommendation: Filiform needle, reinforcing method; moxibustion may be added to supplement Qi.

Herbal Formula

Base Formula: An Shen Ding Zhi Wan (安神定志丸)

Composition:

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Poria (Fu Ling), Fushen (Fu Shen), Polygala (Yuan Zhi), Acorus (Shi Chang Pu), Dragon Teeth (Long Chi)

Action: Calms the spirit, supplements Heart Blood, and strengthens Gallbladder Qi.

Modifications

| Associated Symptoms | Additions/Subtractions |

| :— | :— |

| Severe palpitations | Add Bai Zi Ren, Mu Li to calm the spirit |

| Insomnia | Add Suan Zao Ren, Ye Jiao Teng to calm the spirit and promote sleep |

| Poor memory | Add Yuan Zhi, Shi Chang Pu to open the orifices and improve cognition |

Western Mechanism Reference

Amygdala-prefrontal cortex circuit dysfunction, reduced GABA receptor sensitivity, and excessive fear conditioning. Heart-Gallbladder Qi Deficiency corresponds to anxiety disorders with prominent fear and autonomic symptoms, where amygdala hyperreactivity and reduced GABAergic inhibition contribute to excessive fear response.

References

  1. Internal Medicine of TCM - Palpitations with Heart-Gallbladder Deficiency.

  2. WHO. (2023). Mental health and anxiety disorders. World Health Organization.

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