Chinese Medical Approaches to Heart Health
with Acupressure and Herbs
Heart Acupressure Tonification Point Ht 7 (Shenmen or Sprit Gate)
Heart 7 is located in the
depression on the radial
side of the tendon of
muscular flexor carpi
ulmaris when the palm is
facing upward, on the ulnar
end of the transverse crease
of the wrist.
Chinese Medical Patterns of Heart Disease
It is important when addressing Heart disorders to address other aggravating factors that may be attributing to the condition. How diseases express themselves gives us a greater ability to target the actual underlying causes so that the condition can be more effectively addressed. Organ systems are closely connected, and if one Organ System goes out of balance, it will surely have an affect on another Organ System. The following patterns further differentiate the patterns associated with Heart disease
Heart Qi and Blood Deficiency
Deficient Heart energy typically has indications of palpitations, sensation of the heart, sleeping disorders, heart disease, impaired circulation, or congestive heart disease. Herbs included in formulas that address deficient Heart energies will include herbs to build Heart Blood, Heart Qi, and to dispel Heart Blood Stagnation.
Heart - Kidney
The Heart belongs to the Fire Element and the Kidney belongs to the Water Element; Fire and Water have an interdependent relationship in Chinese medicine of control, insuring that the Fire does not burn out of control and the Water does overflow.
Kidney Yin is the basis of all Yin of the body, and the Heart depends on abundant Blood, a Yin substance, to maintain a healthy Heart function. Kidney Yang is the basis of all Yang in the body and the Heart depends on Qi, a Yang substance, to keep Blood moving. The treatment of Heart disease can, therefore, depend on both Heart Tonic Formulas and Kidney Tonic Formulas.
Heart - Spleen
The Spleen Organ System controls the internal dampness in the body; thus, Heart disorders with fluid accumulations can benefit from the combination of Heart Herbs
and Spleen Qi Tonics.
Heart - Liver
If Liver Qi Stagnation develops, the Liver heats up and begins to 'harass' the Heart. This can be damaging in many ways, as the heat tends to consume Yin
(tissue) and Blood.
Symptoms of possible heart disease in Chinese medicine include vertical creases on earlobes, horizontal crease across the bridge of the nose, a deep central crack on the tongue, especially when is extends to the tip of the tongue, a red tipped tongue.
Herbs for Heart Health
Much like exercise and a healthy diet can help to prevent heart disease, this Chinese herb formula promotes heart health and enhance the overall strength of the 'Heart Function'. In the treatment of heart disease, this formula would be taken over a consecutive number of months in clinic depending on the severity and chronic nature of the heart issues. Long term, this formula has been used for a month, and then skipped for a couple of months before resuming for a month and so on.
These herbs for 'Heart' health also have been used in clinic to moderate blood pressure, although they do not lower blood pressure for those with normal BP levels; unlike pharmaceutical medications, herbs are able to gently normalize blood pressure. High blood pressure is an indication of Liver Qi Stagnation and Liver Heat Rising in Chinese medicine and our Free and Easy Wanderer Formula is indicated with HBP.
Improving blood circulation to the heart muscle is highly beneficial in strengthening the heart function, and Blood Mansion Formula contains gentle 'Blood Moving' herbs. For those with concerns about using blood movers, Sage Mountain Formula contains herbs to strengthen the heart function, but does not stimulate blood circulation. This formula is often combined with Universal Treasure Formula for natural cholesterol regulation.
Other organ systems related to the Heart in TCM
Small Intestines
This organ function sorts the pure from the impure with food and information. Too much information is part of our modern information age and affects this organ most intensely. Those with Small Intestine imbalances would have trouble sorting out what to keep and what to let go of; they would have a tendency to become hoarders.
Pericardium
This organ function is to protect the heart. When out of balance, individuals have difficulty in distinguishing emotional input; an example, they would accept criticism easily, but reject love.
Triple Burner
A unique concept in Chinese medicine, the triple burner is responsible for regulation and communication throughout the body and between organs themselves. It is responsible for the regulation of temperature and the body’s ability to respond to stresses. Emotionally, people who have damage to the triple burner can turn from emotionally warm to emotionally cold very quickly.
Herbs for Heart Health - Tonic Herbs that Strengthen the Heart Function
Hawthorn Leaf and Flower
Crataegus spp
Hawthorn trees are native to Europe, Asia, and North America. There are hundreds of species of Hawthorn trees, many of which are used medicinally. The Chinese have long used the berry for digestive issues, but using the leaf and flower to strengthen the heart is a Western herbal tradition that is now spreading to the East.
Hawthorn is a tonic that is able to ‘normalize’ the Heart function; thus, it is able to re-enforce Heart Qi in cases of Heart Blood Deficiency, and is able to reduce high blood pressure in cases of Excess. Hawthorn also reduces circulating blood fat and has an influence on blood cholesterol levels. It takes 6-8 weeks for the tonic affect of Hawthorn to reach any measurable level, but it is a very reliable and safe herb. While hawthorn can be taken as a single, most effective Heart herbal formulas include herbs to increase Blood circulation. With signs of heart disease already developing, one would want to take Hawthorne daily for six months, and then possibly cut back to dosing every other month. For prevention, dosing every other month would be affective.
Tablets, tea pills, teas and tinctures are effective ways of taking hawthorn. It should be noted that therapeutic doses of hawthorn are necessary to initiate healing; as a tincture, the dose would be about 2 ½ teaspoons daily and could be quite costly; an infusion as a tea would need to also need to be measured in therapeutic doses of ¼ oz dry leaf daily, rather than a few teabags. Capsules, tablets, and teapills will come with therapeutic dosages on the bottle and should be followed and full dosing.
Motherwort
Leonorus cardiaca
This genus of motherwort is the Western herbal variety; there is also a Chinese motherwort that is used in quite a different way. The plant is a hardy perennial that is easy to cultivate from seed in the garden. The flowering tops are used and a single plant will continue to slowly grow and spread each year offering a sustainable source of free medicine for many years.
Motherwort’s Latin name actually translates to ‘lion hearted’ suggesting early knowledge of its ability to strengthen the Heart. Motherwort has long been used for palpitations in Western herbalism, especially when associated with menopause. Additionally, it is a calming nervine that can help to reduce palpations due to stress or anxiety that might be seen with Kidney-Heart type patterns of imbalance.
The dosing would be the same as for Hawthorn above. Motherwort can be used as a single herb, but it is more of a Deputy Herb (discussed in Part 1 and developing formulas) that would support a Kingly main tonic herb such as Hawthorn.
Morinda Root and Vine
Morinda officinalis
Morinda is ba ji tian, the root from a vineing medicinal plant from Asia. Morinda is highly nutritious is often used the increase memory. It is also considered to be beneficial to the heart and to strengthen the bones. It is a Yang tonic, but despite its warming nature, it is effective in lowering high blood pressure. Morinda is typically a Deputy Herb that is used in formulas as directed rather than as a single herb.
Herbs that Move Blood and Prevent Heart Blood Stagnation
It is vital that Blood and Qi flow freely to the Heart delivering oxygen and nutrients. Blood moving herbs can help to vitalize a weak heart, but blood moving herbs can also intensify the effects of blood thinners and some heart medications so care must be taken. Blood movers are generally support herbs in a formula and are not used in large quantities and can be taken safely along side of pharmaceuticals. Generally they are not used as singles. The intensity of an herbs action is highly dependant on its quantity, so utilizing herbs that can create so much benefit in small doses must be considered. Blood movers beneficial to the heart would include safflower, yarrow, red sage root, and frankincense.
Lifestyle Practices That Help Prevent Heart Disease
Weight
The CDC lists obesity as one of the major contributing factors to heart disease, so maintaining a healthy weight is central to the prevention and treatment of heart disease. In Chinese medicine, the use of herbs that support the Spleen such as codonopsis and astragalus are central in maintaining a healthy weight, as the Spleen Organ System oversees the transportation and transformation of foods.
Diet
Choosing real food over processed foods is the first step in maintaining heart health through diet. Eat whole organic foods when available, low fat meats such as fish, turkey, chicken, and plenty of vegetables and legumes along with raw nuts. Foods with silicon such as barley, oats, cucumber, lettuce and celery help to improve calcium absorption that benefits the heart. Avoid processed foods, high fat foods, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, sugar, fried foods, soft drinks, spicy foods, and white flour. Consuming healthy fats is important in maintaining Heart Health so do not follow a no-fat diet. Choose healthy fats such as olive oil, fish oils, camalina oil, as well as other vegetable oils that are cold pressed instead of heat extracted. If your foods or oils mention ‘hydrogenated’ or ‘partially hydrogenated’ oils of any kind, do not consume them.
Exercise
A regular brisk walk, Qi Gong exercises, and yoga can increase blood circulation throughout the body and benefit the heart. If you are experiencing Heart imbalance symptoms, it is important to avoid heavy exercise in the middle of the day. Many people look to their lunch break as an opportunity to exercise, but according to Chinese medicine, the Heart energy peaks between 11 AM and 1PM and stress to the Heart should be avoided at this during these times.
Stress
Avoid stress and learn stress-management techniques such as meditation (directions available in the last Section of this book) and breathing exercises for improved heart health. Also, utilizing adaptogenic herbs such as eleuthrococus can change the way you react to stressors and reduce the effects of stress.
For information on conventional approaches to heart health, visit the CDC, the NIH, or the Medline. This is not an endorsement of these organization, just a resource guide.
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Heart Health Herbs
Crataegus spp. - Hawthorn Leaf and Flower
Hawthorn leaf has been shown to have a beneficial influence on high blood pressure, high blood fat and high cholesterol. It is widely used to treat coronary heart disease, as it has been proven to strengthen the heart muscle when used for a prolonged period of time (over 6 weeks).
Leonorus cardiaca - Motherwort
Motherwort dispels nervous irritability, inducing calmness to the whole nervous system. It is an excellent remedy for heart conditions, as its Latin name, "lion hearted" would suggest. Motherwort is a primary herb in Western herbalism for strengthening the heart and resolving palpitations.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum - jiao gu lan
Gynostemma is used to slow down aging and to prevent feebleness and senility; to reduce fatigue, to increase vigor; to improve digestion; to strengthen the mind; and to improve sex functions. Gynostemma is useful in a number of mental conditions, including simple depression and anxiety. It has developed an enormous reputation in Asia as a major aid in weight control programs. It also moderates blood sugar and reduces blood fat.
Achillea millefolium -Yarrow
Yarrow is a highly esteemed herb with a plethora of uses. It vitalizes the blood, circulates Heart Qi and benefits the entire circulatory system. Yarrow is a primary herb in Western herbalism to ensure the free flow of blood to the heart.
Cyperus rotundus - xian fu
This support herb is included in the formula to reduce overall Qi Stagnation in the body, including Heart Qi and Blood stagnation. A classic supportive herb in Chinese medicine, cyperi moves Qi in the body and spreads Liver Qi.
Prunella Vulgaris - xia ku cao - Heal All
Clears Liver Fire, reduces headaches, detoxifies and removes lymphatic blocks. Clears heat from the Heart and addresses high blood pressure.
Salvia miltiorrhiza - dan shen - Red Sage Root
Salvia is a "blood vitalizing" herb used to improve circulation and break up blood stagnation. Recent research in China and Japan indicates that salvia improves the condition and functioning of entire cardiovascular system. It is a famed longevity herb.
Morinda officinalis - ba ji tian - Morinda Root and Vine
Morinda is highly nutritious and is used in superior tonic formulas for strengthening the body's Yang function. Morinda is used widely in China to increase mental power. It is also considered to be beneficial to the heart and is used to address high blood pressure in Chinese medicine.
Ligustrum lucidum - nu zhen zi
A Yin Kidney and Liver tonic which is said by the Chinese to prolong life. It is a significant immune enhancing agent. It is also used as a blood tonic and enhances Heart Blood. Ligustrum is often used for respiratory tract infections and hypertension.
Carthamus - hong hua - Safflower
Safflower breaks up blood stagnation and moves blood. Alleviates pain from trauma, unblocks uterine stagnation and removes Heart Blood Stagnation.
Boswellia carterii - ru xiang - Frankincense
Breaks up blood stagnation and invigorates the Blood of the Heart. Frankincense is used in Chinese medicine to reduce swelling, benefit the joints, alleviate chest pain, and alleviate pain from trauma.
Olea europaea - Olive Leaf
Olive leaf is an essential nutrient for all anti-aging programs and for enhancing the immune system. Olive leaf has been used traditionally to strengthen the cardiovascular system and is an antioxidant. Used traditionally to lower blood pressure and moderate blood sugar.
Eucommia ulmoides - du zhong - Rubber Tree Bark
Eucommia is considered a primary herb used to increase yang functions in the body. It is used in Chinese mediicne to lower blood pressure..
Poria cocos - fu ling
Poria is a fungus that grows on the roots of pine trees widely used in Chinese herbalism to leach out dampness, drain phlegm, and move fluid stagnation. It is traditionally used as a Qi tonic to strengthen Spleen function and is highly nourishing. Poria has important immune enhancing ability. It is calming to the heart and soothes palpitations. according to Chinese medicine.
Paeonia suffruticosa - mu dan pi -Tree peony root bark
Cools blood heat, pacifies Liver Fire, and invigorates the blood. Quells anger and emotional outbursts and cools fire from yin deficient patterns.
Crataegus - shan zha - Hawthorn Fruit
Crataegus strengthens digestion. It is used with the leaf for its heart strengthening effects.
Epimedium spp.- yin yang huo - Horny Goat Weed
Recent research indicates that Epimedium is a strong immune system regulator. It is used in Chinese medicine to lower high blood pressure, without reducing it below normal and to calm the heart.
Eucommia ulmoides - du zhong - Rubber Tree Bark
Eucommia is considered a primary herb used to increase yang functions in the body and benefits the Heart.
Schisandra chinensis - wu wei zi
Schizandra is a famous tonic historically consumed by Chinese royalty. It is renowned as a beauty tonic and is considered to be a youth preserving herb. It is also said to be a powerful tonic to the brain and mind, and is believed in China to improve memory. It also calms the heart.
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