Dementia and Cognitive Decline: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
Dementia is a broad term describing a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, reasoning, and daily function. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, but dementia can also result from vascular changes, Lewy body disease, and other conditions. For the millions of families navigating this diagnosis — in San Diego, across California, and nationwide — conventional medicine offers important tools, and many families are also exploring complementary approaches to support overall brain health and quality of life alongside standard care.
At Makari Wellness, we work with patients and their families to provide acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as a supportive, integrative layer — not a replacement for neurological or medical care, but a thoughtful complement rooted in over two thousand years of clinical observation about how the body, mind, and spirit are interconnected.
How Traditional Chinese Medicine Understands the Aging Brain
In classical Chinese medicine, the brain is governed by the Kidneys. The Kidneys store what is called jing — the fundamental essence that supports development, reproduction, and the vitality of the nervous system throughout life. As we age, jing naturally diminishes. When Kidney essence declines more rapidly than expected — through chronic illness, constitutional weakness, prolonged stress, or poor lifestyle habits — the brain loses its primary nourishment, and cognitive symptoms can emerge.
This is one of the central frameworks Chinese medicine uses to understand age-related cognitive decline: a deficiency at the root, in the Kidneys and in the blood, that leaves the brain under-resourced.
Phlegm, Heat, and Shen Disturbance
Chinese medicine also recognizes a second major pathway — one involving what practitioners call phlegm obstructing the heart orifices. This pattern, often described as phlegm-heat disturbing the shen (the spirit or mind), can manifest as confusion, disorientation, behavioral changes, and loss of clear thinking. Classical pulse diagnosis recognizes a specific pulse quality — the flowing or slippery pulse — as a marker for this phlegm-heat pattern affecting the mind, one associated with conditions including cognitive disturbance and shen-related disorders.
These two patterns — Kidney deficiency and phlegm-heat shen disturbance — often overlap in clinical presentation. An experienced practitioner will assess which is more prominent, and may find elements of both at work simultaneously, guiding a treatment approach that addresses both the root deficiency and the obstructive pattern.
Blood Stasis and Circulation
A third pattern commonly identified in cognitive decline involves blood stasis — reduced circulation that deprives brain tissue of adequate nourishment over time. Chinese medicine views stagnant or sluggish blood as both a consequence of deficiency and an independent contributing factor. Supporting healthy blood movement is therefore often part of a comprehensive herbal and acupuncture protocol for brain health.
What Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine May Offer
Research into acupuncture and dementia is ongoing and evolving. While acupuncture is not a treatment that reverses neurodegeneration, clinical practice and emerging research suggest it may support several aspects of wellbeing that matter deeply to patients and caregivers:
- Calming agitation and anxiety — Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, including restlessness, anxiety, and sleep disturbance, are among the most challenging aspects for patients and families. Acupuncture’s effect on the nervous system may help support a calmer baseline state.
- Supporting sleep quality — Sleep disruption is both a symptom and a risk factor in cognitive decline. Addressing the underlying patterns of deficiency or heat that disrupt sleep can improve overall functioning and quality of life.
- Reducing caregiver and patient stress — Chronic stress accelerates deficiency patterns in Chinese medicine. Regular acupuncture care can serve as a meaningful stress-reduction practice for patients in early-to-moderate stages and for their caregivers.
- Supporting digestive health and appetite — Loss of appetite and digestive weakness are common in later stages. Acupuncture and targeted herbal support can help maintain digestive function, which is central to producing the blood and essence the brain relies on.
- Improving energy and engagement — Patients in earlier stages sometimes report improved mental clarity, energy, and engagement with daily life with consistent treatment, though outcomes vary significantly by individual.
It is important to say clearly: acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. We do not make that claim, and we are committed to honest, transparent conversations with every family we work with. What we offer is a carefully individualized approach aimed at supporting the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — in a way that complements neurological and medical care.
Herbal Medicine for Cognitive Support
Chinese herbal medicine offers a rich pharmacopoeia of herbs historically used to nourish Kidney essence, support brain function, clear phlegm, and calm the mind. Classical formulas such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (which nourishes Kidney yin) or Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (which supports both yin and yang aspects of Kidney function) are foundational in many protocols for age-related decline. Formulas that clear phlegm-heat and calm the shen may be indicated when behavioral symptoms, agitation, or confusion are prominent.
Every herbal prescription at Makari Wellness is individually tailored. We do not use one-size-fits-all formulas. Your practitioner will assess your pattern thoroughly before recommending any herbal support, and will always coordinate with your existing medical team to ensure safety and avoid interactions with any current medications.
What to Expect at Makari Wellness
Your first visit begins with a thorough intake — typically 60 to 75 minutes — during which your practitioner will review the full picture of your or your loved one’s health history, current symptoms, medications, sleep patterns, digestion, and emotional wellbeing. We use pulse diagnosis, tongue examination, and careful observation to identify the underlying patterns that Chinese medicine recognizes.
For patients in earlier stages of cognitive decline, sessions are generally well-tolerated and can feel deeply relaxing. For patients who may have difficulty remaining still or who are sensitive to needling, we can adapt the approach — using fewer needles, shorter session lengths, or focusing on acupressure and ear acupuncture techniques. Family members are welcome to be present throughout treatment.
Our Oceanside clinic is designed to be calm and unhurried. We understand that families navigating dementia are already carrying a heavy load, and we work hard to make every visit feel supportive and uncomplicated. We also serve patients throughout the greater San Diego area and are happy to discuss scheduling options that work for your family’s needs.
Treatment frequency varies by individual, but we typically recommend beginning with weekly sessions to build a consistent foundation, then reassessing at 6 to 8 weeks. Herbal prescriptions, when appropriate, are reviewed and adjusted at each visit based on response and any changes in presentation.
A Partner in the Long Journey
Caring for a loved one with dementia is one of the most profound and demanding experiences a family can face. We do not promise miracles — but we do promise presence, skill, and a genuine commitment to your wellbeing. Chinese medicine has accompanied human beings through aging and decline for millennia, and its deepest value may be precisely this: a tradition that sees the whole person, honors the complexity of their experience, and offers tools rooted in that long observational wisdom.
If you are exploring integrative options for yourself or a family member, we encourage you to Schedule Your Initial Visit with our team at Makari Wellness — we would be honored to listen, assess, and discuss whether Chinese medicine might offer meaningful support as part of your care plan.