TCM for Stress and Fatigue: What Is Known
What reviews found for tai chi, qigong, ginseng, acupuncture and moxibustion used for stress and fatigue, where proper evidence was not found, and why tiredness needs a medical check.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Check the cause of tiredness first
Common causes of tiredness include poor sleep, depression, and some medical treatments and medicines such as chemotherapy. [1] Conditions that can cause tiredness include sleep apnea, iron deficiency anemia and an overactive thyroid, and the NHS advises not to self-diagnose and to see a doctor if you are worried. [1] If low mood is part of the picture, see TCM for Anxiety and Depression, which lists urgent help first. For the plain-language guides see When to Get Help for Fatigue and How to Relieve Stress.In TCM, tiredness is traditionally described with ideas such as qi deficiency, and stress with qi stagnation. These are traditional frameworks, explained on What Is Qi? and Common TCM Patterns Explained. They are not medical diagnoses. The studies below measure specific treatments.
Stress
| Treatment | What the sources found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Tai chi for perceived stress | A review of 11 trials (1,323 people) comparing taiji with no intervention found lower perceived stress (standardized difference -0.41); the effect shrank to -0.26 when small studies were excluded. [2] | Promising but limited |
| Qigong for perceived stress | A review of 9 trials found low study quality overall; two trials showed benefit over no treatment, three showed no significant effect against an active comparison. [3] | Promising but limited |
| Acupuncture for general stress | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed on 2026-10-22 for sham-controlled trials and reviews on stress and perceived stress and found nothing we could read that fit. | Proper evidence not found |
| Chinese herbal formulas for stress or burnout | Proper evidence not found. The same kind of search returned no trials or reviews of Chinese herbs for stress or burnout. | Proper evidence not found |
| Asian ginseng for stress | NCCIH says ginseng has been promoted for stress, and that most clinical trials of it have been small and short. [4] | Marketing claim; insufficient evidence |
Tai chi and qigong are generally considered safe, with minor aches the main problem. [5] Pregnant women should talk with their health care providers before starting tai chi, qigong or any exercise program. [5] See Tai Chi, Qigong and Movement, Yoga and Tai Chi for Stress.
Fatigue
| Treatment | What the sources found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Ginseng and ginseng formulas | A 2023 review of 19 trials found no significant fatigue reduction for ginseng overall (standardized difference -0.36, interval crossing zero), but a significant reduction for ginseng herbal formulas and for chronic fatigue, with small effect sizes. [6] NCCIH summarizes the same result. [4] | Mixed |
| Acupuncture-based therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome | A 2026 review of 8 trials (715 people) found lower fatigue scores, but the authors urged caution because of small samples, moderate risk of bias and wide differences between studies. [7] | Promising but limited |
| Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome | A 2022 network meta-analysis of 51 trials (3,473 people) favored these treatments, but the GRADE ratings of the combined results were low. [8] | Promising but limited |
| Tai chi, qigong and American ginseng for fatigue during cancer treatment | The 2024 ASCO and Society for Integrative Oncology guideline found benefit during treatment and recommends tai chi or qigong; American ginseng may be recommended; certainty was low to moderate. [9] | Promising but limited |
| Moxibustion and acupressure for fatigue after cancer treatment | The same guideline says they may be recommended after treatment is complete. [9] | Promising but limited |
The guideline also found exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based programs helped cancer-related fatigue and should be recommended first. [9] It found that other dietary supplements did not improve it. [9]
Frequently asked questions
Does tai chi reduce stress?
A review of 11 trials found lower perceived stress than no intervention, though the effect was smaller in larger studies. [2]
Does ginseng help with fatigue?
A 2023 review found no significant overall effect, but ginseng herbal formulas and chronic fatigue showed small benefits. [6]
Can acupuncture treat chronic fatigue syndrome?
Small trials suggest possible benefit, but the evidence is limited and should be read cautiously. [7]
Is "qi deficiency" the same as being tired?
Not exactly. It is a traditional pattern, while tiredness has many medical causes that a doctor can check. [1]
When should I see a doctor?
If tiredness lasts, is unexplained or comes with other symptoms such as heavy snoring or low mood. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety
- Ginseng: short-term oral use of Asian ginseng appears safe for most people, but insomnia is the most common side effect, and it may worsen autoimmune disorders, interfere with blood clotting and lower blood sugar. [4] Some experts recommend against it in pregnancy, breastfeeding and for children. [4] See Ginseng in Chinese Medicine.
- Herb products generally: some Chinese herbal products are contaminated with toxic compounds, heavy metals or undeclared drugs. [5] Ask a clinician or pharmacist before combining herbs with medicines.
- Moxibustion: involves burning a herb close to the skin. [10] See Moxibustion and Cupping Risks.
For the claims made about "adrenal fatigue" and adrenal supplements, see Adrenal Fatigue Claims.
References
- National Health Service (NHS, UK), Tiredness and fatigue. Read 2026-10-22.
- Kraft J et al. Stress reduction through taiji: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC complementary medicine and therapies 2024. PubMed 38831412. Read 2026-10-22.
- Oh JH et al. Qigong Therapy for Stress Management: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) 2024. PubMed 39684964. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, US), Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, US), Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
- Li X et al. Ginseng and Ginseng Herbal Formulas for Symptomatic Management of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of integrative and complementary medicine 2023. PubMed 36730693. Read 2026-10-22.
- Li Y et al. Efficacy of acupuncture-based traditional Chinese medicine therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in neurology 2026. PubMed 42422219. Read 2026-10-22.
- Fang Y et al. Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Medicine 2022. PubMed 35945779. Read 2026-10-22.
- Bower JE et al. Management of Fatigue in Adult Survivors of Cancer: ASCO-Society for Integrative Oncology Guideline Update. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2024. PubMed 38754041. Read 2026-10-22.
- Coyle ME et al. Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews 2023. PubMed 37158339. Read 2026-10-22.