Symptom family: Chest Discomfort & Sensations
Explore below more details about what might cause Chest constriction according to TCM.
Blood Stasis in TCM is a concept where the blood flow in the body is not as smooth or efficient as it should be. Imagine a river that's supposed to flow freely, but instead, it's getting blocked or moving too slowly in some parts. This can lead to various health issues, like pain that feels sharp or stabbing, dark bruises, and a complexion that looks purplish. TCM believes that good health relies on the smooth and vibrant flow of Qi and blood throughout the body, so when blood gets stuck, it's like a traffic jam in your body, leading to discomfort or health problems.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Heart Blood Stagnation | Chest constriction, Stabbing chest pain, Feeling of oppression of the chest | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
In TCM the Heart is considered the "emperor" of all organs, primarily responsible for governing Blood and housing the mind, known as "Shen." It plays a crucial role in maintaining mental-emotional equilibrium and controlling the circulation of Qi and blood throughout the body. When the Heart is imbalanced or malfunctions in TCM, it can lead to a range of issues like heart palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, anxiety, and a flushed complexion. Emotional disturbances such as excessive joy or lack of joy are also seen as signs of Heart disharmony. These symptoms reflect not just physical heart conditions but also the state of one's Shen, indicating the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being in TCM.... see more
Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
---|---|---|
Heart Blood Stagnation | Chest constriction, Stabbing chest pain, Feeling of oppression of the chest | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
See more details below about Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula used to address chest constriction.
Suitable for Blood Stasis patterns that may cause chest constriction, such as Heart Blood Stagnation
Learn moreThese formulas are suitable for some chest constriction-causing patterns like Heart Blood Stagnation.
One such formula is Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address chest constriction, organized by herb category.
Chest constriction can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for chest constriction, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
---|---|
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
Safflowers (Hong Hua) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |