Cardiovascular Diseaseaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Cardiac Disorders
Sub-symptom(s): Coronary Artery Disease
What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, often linked to atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries, narrowing them and making it harder for blood to flow. This can lead to severe health issues such as coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease, which can cause angina, heart attacks, and heart failure. Recognizing and managing risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking is critical for prevention and treatment, underscoring the need for lifestyle changes and medical interventions.
How does TCM view cardiovascular disease?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes a holistic approach to cardiovascular disease, viewing it not just as a problem of the heart and vessels but as a symptom of wider imbalances in the body's energy system. TCM posits that such disorders arise from disruptions in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, imbalances in Yin and Yang or invasions of External Pathological Factors.
Diagnosing the specific disharmony, whether it be Qi stagnation, Blood Stasis, or Yin Deficiency, is essential in TCM as it directs the customized herbal and acupuncture treatments aimed at correcting these imbalances and restoring overall health.
Causes of cardiovascular disease according to TCM
In TCM, cardiovascular disease is often attributed to complex patterns of energetic imbalance, such as Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp or Heart Yin Deficiency. Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp is characterized by a lack of the warming and activating energy in the body, leading to a sluggish metabolism and accumulation of dampness and cold, which can impair heart function and circulation.
Heart Yin Deficiency involves a depletion of the cooling and moistening forces in the body, which can lead to an excess of heat or fire, manifesting in symptoms such as night sweats, restlessness, and palpitations. Addressing these underlying issues is key to TCM's therapeutic strategies, which aim to rebalance the body's internal energies and enhance heart health.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Cardiovascular Disease
To treat cardiovascular disease, TCM employs specific formulas aligned with the identified patterns of disharmony. For addressing Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, Fu Zi Tang, which includes Prepared aconite, is used to warm the body and transform dampness, thereby enhancing metabolic function and improving circulation.
For Heart Yin Deficiency and related syndromes, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, featuring Unprepared Rehmannia, is prescribed to nourish heart and kidney yin and calm the mind, addressing the internal heat symptoms and supporting heart function. These formulas illustrate TCM's method of using tailored herbal treatments to manage and mitigate the effects of cardiovascular disease by restoring energetic balance and promoting systemic health.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address cardiovascular disease, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind
- Formulas that release the exterior and warm the interior
- Formulas that regulate blood
- Formulas that release the exterior and clear the interior
- Formulas that harmonize lesser yang-warp disorders
- Formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold
- Formulas that nourish yin and tonify
- Formulas that tonify qi
- Formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen
- Formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind
- Formulas that tonify qi and blood
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
- Formulas that warm interior cold
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.
One such formula is Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm and transform water and dampness" recommended for cardiovascular disease
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Fu Zi Tang | Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) |
| Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang | Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) |
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Xuan Fu Hua Tang, with inula flower as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation" recommended for cardiovascular disease
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Xuan Fu Hua Tang | Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua) |
| Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang | Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Safflowers (Hong Hua), Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) |
Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it stems from a disharmony between the heart and the mind, often manifesting as emotional disturbances or sleep issues.
One such formula is Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, with unprepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external cold invasion affecting the body, requiring treatments that expel cold and warm the interior.
One such formula is Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang, with cinnamon twigs as a key herb.
Formulas that regulate Blood
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it stems from irregularities or imbalances in the blood, which may affect circulation or cause other blood-related issues.
One such formula is Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it arises from external pathogenic factors affecting the body's surface, coupled with internal disharmony.
One such formula is Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, with kudzu root as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas in cases of imbalances in the lesser Yang (Shao Yang) phase, which often involve alternating hot and cold sensations.
One such formula is Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang, with sweet wormwood herb as a key herb.
Formulas that warm the Meridians and disperse Cold
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas if it results from cold obstructing the meridians, leading to pain or stiffness, requiring warming and dispersing actions.
One such formula is Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it arises from a deficiency in Yin energy, needing nourishment and strengthening of the body's vital essence.
One such formula is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with prepared rehmannia as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas if it results from Qi deficiency, necessitating treatments that boost the body's vital energy.
One such formula is Sheng Mai San, with ginseng as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when there's an imbalance between the Liver and Spleen systems, often manifesting as digestive disturbances and emotional fluctuations.
One such formula is Si Ni San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
Formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it is due to internal wind, which is often associated with spasms, tremors, or dizziness.
One such formula is Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, with achyranthes root as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when there is a combined deficiency of both Qi and Blood, requiring comprehensive tonification.
One such formula is Zhi Gan Cao Tang, with liquorice as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it results from an intense heat condition at the qi level, affecting the body's energy flow.
One such formula is Zhi Zi Chi Tang, with cape jasmine fruit as a key herb.
Formulas that warm Interior Cold
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by an internal cold condition, needing treatments that warm the body's interior.
One such formula is Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, with dong quai as a key herb.
Acupoints for Cardiovascular Disease
See more details below about Jueyinshu BL-14, an acupoint used to address cardiovascular disease.
- By Meridian
- Bladder Channel
Jueyinshu BL-14
1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 4th thoracic vertebra (T4).
TCM Herbs for Cardiovascular Disease
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address cardiovascular disease, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Herbs that anchor and calm the spirit
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Herbs that open the orifices
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for cardiovascular disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Safflowers (Hong Hua) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Achyranthes Roots (Niu Xi) | Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang |
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Ginseng (Ren Shen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for cardiovascular disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Ginseng (Ren Shen) | Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang | Sheng Mai San |
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang | Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang |
| Liquorice (Gan Cao) | Zhi Gan Cao Tang |
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for cardiovascular disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen) | Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang |
| Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) | Si Ni San |
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Sweet Wormwood Herbs (Qing Hao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat" recommended for cardiovascular disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Sweet Wormwood Herbs (Qing Hao) | Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang |
| Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) | Zhi Zi Chi Tang |
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency" recommended for cardiovascular disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan |
| Dong Quai (Dang Gui) | Dang Gui Si Ni Tang |
Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs if it stems from disturbances in the Shen (spirit), often due to instability in the heart and kidney energies.
One such herb is Amber (Hu Po), which is directly recommended for cardiovascular disease.
Herbs that regulate Qi
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Sandalwood (Tan Xiang), which is directly recommended for cardiovascular disease.
Herbs that open the Orifices
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs if it's a result of blockages in the body's sensory orifices, aiding in restoring clarity and consciousness.
One such herb is Styrax (Su He Xiang), which is directly recommended for cardiovascular disease.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Fu Zi Tang.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan.
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang.
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Cardiovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cardiovascular disease, like Xuan Fu Hua Tang.