Hypertension in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different hypertension patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a chronic condition where the force exerted by the blood against the artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. The condition is typically divided into two types: primary (essential) hypertension, which appears without a clear medical cause and is thought to be influenced by genetic and lifestyle factors; and secondary hypertension, which arises as a symptom of another condition like kidney disease. Managing blood pressure is crucial as uncontrolled hypertension can lead to serious health issues including stroke, heart attack, and renal failure.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets hypertension through the lens of energetic imbalances and disturbances in the body's natural harmony. Unlike Western medicine which primarily focuses on physical factors and symptom management, TCM seeks to identify the underlying patterns of disharmony contributing to high blood pressure.
These patterns are defined by an intricate assessment of bodily symptoms and signs considered through Qi (vital energy), Yin and Yang balance, and the state of the internal organs. Correcting these imbalances through herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle modifications is crucial to restoring health and reducing blood pressure according to TCM principles.
TCM Patterns for Hypertension
Wind
Causes: Hypertension
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Hypertension
Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Insomnia, Scanty menstruation
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Hypertension
Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Dry throat, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Qi Stagnation
Causes: High blood pressure
Qi And Blood Stagnation
High blood pressure
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods, Melasma
Blood Stasis
Causes: High blood pressure
Qi And Blood Stagnation
High blood pressure
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods, Melasma
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Hypertension
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
Hypertension
Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Palpitations, Frequent urination
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Hypertension
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
Hypertension
Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Palpitations, Frequent urination
Blood Deficiency
Causes: Hypertension
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
Hypertension
Along with: Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Insomnia, Scanty menstruation
Yang Excess
Causes: Hypertension
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Hypertension
Along with: Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Dry throat, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Poor memory, Back pain, Oliguria, Night sweats
Herbal Formulas for Hypertension
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address hypertension
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes Blood
- Calms the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs...
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Dry throat...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
High blood pressure
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Er Xian Tang
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys
- Clears Empty Heat
- Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Menopausal symptoms, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability, Generalized fatigue...
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Dry throat...
Wen Jing Tang
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Uterus and vessels
- Nourishes Blood
- Dispels Cold
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
High blood pressure
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Bu Gan Tang
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and regulates the Blood
- Nourishes the Liver Yin
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs...
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Transforms Blood Stasis
- Softens lumps
- Reduces fixed abdominal pain
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
High blood pressure
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Blood Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Fine tremor, Facial tic, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs...
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Dry throat...
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Nourishes the Yin
- Anchors the Yang
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Dry throat...
Feng Yin Tang
Addresses these hypertension patterns:
Main Actions
- Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals
- Calms the Mind
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Hypertension Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
How it manifests:
Hypertension
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Facial tic, Severe dizziness, Tinnitus, Headaches, Dry throat...