Pericardium Blood Stagnation
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
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Diagnostic Signs
Purple on the side of the entire tongue
Knotted (Jie), Wiry (Xian)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the stabbing chest pain and purple lips.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Prolonged emotional stress, such as anxiety, grief, worry and guilt has severe impact on Qi and Blood circulation, especially in the chest area. Actually the chest is regarded as the the most likely part of the body for accumulating negative feelings.
In additional to that, the Mind, which use the Heart Blood as its physiological basis, can be greatly disturbed by these emotions. The constrains of the Mind can give rise to the Stagnation of Qi and Blood of the Heart and the Pericardium.
Pathological Mechanism
The Mind resides in both the Heart and the Pericardium and it can be greatly impacted by Blood Stagnation in both Organs. Therefore all mental related symptoms of Pericardium Blood Stagnation are very similar to the ones of Heart Blood Stagnation.
However, the chest related symptoms such as sensation of pain, stiffness or oppression only happen to the Pericardium as it is located in the middle of the chest. The Pericardium channel also go though the chest. The pain mentioned here is severe, like the feeling of stabbing or pricking in the chest. It can also spread to the inner aspect of the left arm or to the shower.
Due to the connection between the Pericardium and the Lung Channel, the patients may also experience light short of breath.
Finally, the patients may also have period cramps with dark and clotted menstrual blood. It is due to the relationship between the Pericardium and the Uterus.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Regulate the Pericardium and the Heart, calm the Mind, invigorate Blood in the chest.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
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