Symptoms

Common Signs Associated With the After Stroke (M) Pattern

After Stroke (M) Formula is most appropriate when right-sided facial weakness or imbalance occurs with a Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern involving Mucus/Phlegm, Phlegm-Dampness, Wind, Qi deficiency, and obstruction of the channels and collaterals.

Right-Sided Facial Weakness or Asymmetry

The right side of the face may appear weaker, less responsive, or uneven compared with the left. This may include facial drooping, an uneven smile, reduced facial expression, or difficulty controlling movement on the affected side.

Difficulty Completely Closing the Right Eye

Reduced facial muscle control may make it difficult to blink normally or completely close the right eye. Some individuals may experience eye dryness, excessive tearing, irritation, or a feeling that the eyelid is weak or slow to respond.

Difficulty Smiling or Making Facial Expressions

Individuals may have difficulty smiling evenly, raising the eyebrow, wrinkling the forehead, puffing the cheeks, whistling, or making other coordinated facial expressions. The right side may move less freely than the left.

Difficulty Speaking or Controlling the Lips

Reduced control of the facial muscles may affect lip movement, pronunciation, speech clarity, or the ability to control air through the mouth. Talking for extended periods may require additional effort.

Difficulty Eating, Drinking or Controlling Food

Right-sided facial weakness may make chewing, drinking, or keeping food and liquids inside the mouth more difficult. Some individuals may notice reduced control around the lips, cheek, or affected side of the mouth.

Facial Heaviness, Numbness or Altered Sensation

The affected side may feel heavy, numb, dull, tingling, or different from the other side. In TCM, feelings of heaviness and reduced sensation may accompany Phlegm-Dampness and obstruction of the channels.

Facial Tightness, Stiffness or Limited Movement

The cheek, jaw, area around the ear, or other facial tissues may feel tight, stiff, restricted, or uncomfortable. Wind and Phlegm obstructing the channels may interfere with the smooth movement of Qi and Blood and contribute to reduced facial flexibility.

Signs of Phlegm-Dampness and Weakened Spleen Qi

Facial imbalance may occur together with fatigue, bodily heaviness, excessive mucus, poor appetite, bloating, loose stools, sluggish digestion, or a feeling of mental or physical cloudiness. In TCM, weakened Spleen Qi may allow Dampness and Phlegm to accumulate.

Persistent or Long-Standing Right-Sided Facial Weakness

Some individuals continue to experience right-sided facial asymmetry, reduced movement, stiffness, heaviness, or altered sensation after the initial event. Long-standing patterns may involve both deficiency and obstruction and should be evaluated according to the individual’s complete TCM presentation.

Individuals with complex or long-standing patterns may require additional herbal support for Spleen Qi, Phlegm-Dampness, Qi and Blood nourishment, or other underlying imbalances. Additional formulas should be selected according to the complete TCM pattern rather than the affected side alone.

Important Eye Notice: Inability to completely close an eye may expose it to dryness or injury. Seek professional medical guidance for appropriate eye protection.

Emergency Notice: Sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion, severe headache, loss of balance, vision changes, or other new neurological symptoms may be signs of a stroke. Call 911 immediately. This product is not intended for emergency use or as a replacement for immediate medical evaluation and treatment.