Poor Memory

Poor memory is a trouble characterized by the functional decline of the brain , hypomnesia and forgetfulness . It differs from lack of intelligence and natural endowments . The condition in most cases is caused by insufficiency of the heart and spleen and deficiency of the kidney essence . As Wang Yang said , Essence and will are both stored in the kidney . If the kidney essence is deficient , the will is weakened . Poor memory appears when the will fails to cooperate with the heart . In Prescriptions Based on Three Pathogenic Factors , it says : The spleen dominates the recollection and thinking . Recollection refers to the power of calling back the past facts to the mind , and thinking depends also on the action of the heart . . . . Since the spleen is troubled , collection is impaired , and the mind is uneasy , so memory is poor . The heart and spleen dominate the blood . Overthinking injuring the heart and spleen consumes blood and leads to poor memory . The kidney dominates essence and marrow , which can be consumed or exhausted by indulgent sexual activity . The brain is therefore poorly nourished , causing forgetfulness . The old aged also tend to have poor memory due to the kidney decline .

The treatment is mainly to replenish the blood of the heart and reinforce the spleen and kidney . Reinforcing method is applied to Sishencong ( Extra ) , Xinshu ( B 15 ) , Pishu ( B 20 ) , Zusanii ( S 36 ) , Shenshu ( B 23 ) , and Zhaohai ( K 6 ) .

Explanation : Sishencong ( Extra ) is an empirical point for treatment of poor memory . Xinshu ( B 15 ) and Pishu ( B 20 ) are applied to strengthen the heart and spleen . Shenshu ( B 23 ) and Zhaohai ( K 6 ) promote the kidney essence , produce marrow and replenish the brain . Zusanii ( S 36 ) reinforces the spleen and stomach in transportation and transformation , and replenishes qi and blood .