Herbs Traditionally Used for Spontaneous sweating
The Donguibogam view
The Donguibogam treats sweat as leaking fluid and distinguishes its patterns with care. Spontaneous daytime sweating (jahan) signals that the qi guarding the body's exterior has grown lax; night sweating that stops on waking (dohan) signals yin deficiency letting internal heat push fluids out during sleep. Its herbs divide accordingly — firming the exterior versus astringing inward.
This page organizes herbs recorded in the Donguibogam's herbology volume for abnormal sweating, with original citations. Always consult a professional before actual use.
Herbal reference is not appropriate in these situations — seek medical care first:
- Drenching night sweats with weight loss
- Cold sweats with chest pain or palpitations
- Sweating with high fever
- Cold sweat with trembling and intense hunger (possible low blood sugar)
Herbs recorded for this concern
Astragalus Root黃芪
Astragalus is the classic qi tonic for the body's surface. Where ginseng restores deep vitality, astragal…
Recorded as treating deficiency and augmenting qi — the classic herb for firming the exterior against spontaneous daytime sweating.
White Atractylodes Rhizome白朮
White atractylodes is one of the most widely used spleen-tonifying herbs in Korean tradition, central to …
The original text records it as stopping sweat — paired with astragalus when weak digestion lets qi leak as sweat.
Schisandra Berry五味子
Schisandra is named 'five-flavor berry' because tradition finds sour, sweet, bitter, pungent, and salty a…
An astringent that seals what leaks — used for night sweats and depleting perspiration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between jahan and dohan?
Jahan is spontaneous sweating while awake — a sign of qi deficiency; dohan flows in sleep and stops on waking — a sign of yin deficiency. The Donguibogam records different herbs for each.
Is astragalus samgyetang good for sweating?
Astragalus is the herb traditionally recorded for firming the exterior against spontaneous sweating — a use carried into the summer samgyetang tradition. It was traditionally avoided during fevers and in heat-excess constitutions.
Should drenching night sweats be handled with herbs?
If weight loss or low-grade fever accompanies them, modern evaluation for conditions like tuberculosis or thyroid disease comes first. Traditional reference belongs after the cause is known.