Heart Qi Stagnation
Heart Qi Stagnation
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Diagnostic Signs
Slightly pale purple on the sides
Overflowing (Hong), Empty (Xu)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Other Associated Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the slightly Overflowing quality of the Heart pulse.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
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.
Pathological Mechanism
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.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Invigorate the Heart Qi, open the chest, calm the Mind.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
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