Heart Qi Stagnation
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Heart in Chinese Medicine The concept of Qi The concept of Qi Stagnation
Key attributes
Chinese name: 心气郁结 Pinyin name: Xīn Qì Yù Jié
Pattern nature: Full
Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Qi Stagnation
Common combinations: Heart Vessel obstructed
Causes
Precursor patterns: Liver Qi Stagnation Heart Qi Deficiency
Common causes: Emotional stress
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Depression Palpitations Chest fullness Feeling of oppression of the chest
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Empty (Xu)
Tongue description: Slightly pale purple on the sides
Treatment
Treatment principle: Invigorate the Heart Qi, open the chest, calm the Mind.
Common formulas: Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Pathology
The symptoms of slight feeling of throat lump, the feeling of chest distension, frequent sighing and purple lips all indicate a certain degree of general Qi Stagnation.
As for the specific Heart Qi Stagnation, slight short breath is the typical symptom.
Pale face here is caused by stagnant Heart Qi fails to go up to the face rather than Heart Qi Deficiency. Poor appetite and slight nausea are caused by Heat Qi fails to go down to the Stomach.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Heart Qi Stagnation can derive from Liver Qi Stagnation Heart Qi Deficiency
Emotional stress: Emotional stress such as sadness, worry or grief can greatly impact Heart Qi flow and stagnate it in the chest. It is actually one of the most obvious result of these emotions. If it is untreated for a while, the stagnated Qi can accumulate and turn into Fire or Heat in the Heart. Another more common result of emotional stress is Heart Qi Deficiency. Three reasons explains why some patients develop the Stagnation pattern while others get the Deficiency one. 1. These patients have a more active body and it is easier for them to develop some Full/Excess patterns. 2. If the patients are more likely to hide or suppress their feeling, Stagnation pattern tends to happen more. 3. If the patients have the preexisting pattern of Liver Qi Stagnation, they are more likely to have the Full/Excess pattern. Of course, Heart Qi Stagnation can occur without Live Qi Stagnation.
Diagnosing Heart Qi Stagnation
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong) or empty (Xu)
Tongue description: Slightly pale purple on the sides
Main symptoms: Depression Palpitations Chest fullness Feeling of oppression of the chest
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the slightly Overflowing quality of the Heart pulse.
Treating Heart Qi Stagnation
Treatment principle
Invigorate the Heart Qi, open the chest, calm the Mind.
Herbal formulas used to treat Heart Qi Stagnation
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Regulates the flow of Qi, treats esophageal spasm. Clears Phlegm.
Formula summary
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement.
Besides Heart Qi Stagnation, Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is also used to treat Stomach Qi Stagnation or Pericardium Qi Stagnation.
Consequence patterns
It can cause Heart Blood Stagnation which is a much more serious pattern.
If Heart Qi stagnates in the chest, it can influence the Liver negatively and lead to Liver Qi Stagnation.