Myocarditis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different myocarditis patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition of the heart muscle, typically caused by viral infections but can also result from bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, or environmental toxins. The inflammation can impair the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and in severe cases, heart failure. Acute myocarditis presents suddenly and can rapidly progress, whereas viral myocarditis might evolve more subtly but persistently impede cardiac function.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches myocarditis not as a localized heart issue but as a systemic imbalance of the body's vital energies. According to TCM, heart health is intimately connected to the harmony of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, and disruptions in these energies can manifest as heart inflammation.
TCM practitioners focus on diagnosing the specific disharmony—be it Qi Deficiency, Phlegm, or an imbalance between Yin and Yang—believing that restoring balance is key to treating symptoms and underlying conditions effectively.
TCM Patterns for Myocarditis
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause myocarditis
Diagnostic signs
Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Recommended herbal formulas
Diagnostic signs
Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)
Swollen tongue with sticky coating
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Myocarditis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address myocarditis