Cerebrovascular Diseaseaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Cerebrovascular Disorders
Sub-symptom(s): Cerebral Vascular Insufficiency
What is Cerebrovascular Disease?
Cerebrovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions that affect the blood vessels and blood flow in the brain. The most common forms of this disease include strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and cerebral vascular insufficiency. These disorders can lead to significant health problems, potentially causing permanent brain damage, disability, or even death if not promptly treated. Cerebrovascular disease is a critical health issue that can result from several factors, including thrombosis, embolism, or systemic circulatory breakdowns that reduce cerebral blood flow.
How Does TCM View Cerebrovascular Disease?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets cerebrovascular disease through the lens of energy flow disruptions and elemental imbalances within the body. According to TCM, the free flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood is essential for good health, and any blockage or Deficiency can lead to diseases like stroke.
TCM stresses the importance of identifying the underlying patterns of disharmony causing these symptoms to effectively address the root causes of the disease and not just the symptoms themselves. This holistic approach aims to restore the body's balance and prevent the progression of the disease.
Causes of Cerebrovascular Disease According to TCM
In TCM, cerebrovascular disease is often caused by fundamental imbalances that lead to Blood Stagnation and Internal Wind. Blood Stagnation, where the blood does not flow smoothly, can result from or lead to Qi Stagnation and is often implicated in the development of strokes or TIAs. This condition is typically characterized by sharp, fixed pain, dark complexions, and the presence of varicose veins.
Another critical factor is Internal Wind, which often arises from extreme Yang or Liver Yang Rising, leading to sudden movements and convulsions, mirroring the abrupt onset of stroke symptoms. Addressing these patterns through appropriate TCM methods is crucial for treatment and prevention.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Cerebrovascular Disease
TCM employs a variety of formulas to treat the underlying causes of cerebrovascular disease, tailored to the specific patterns observed in the patient. To combat Blood Stagnation, formulas like Di Dang Tang and Tao He Cheng Qi Tang are used, which include potent herbs like Leeches (Shui Zhi) and Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) to invigorate Blood and dissolve clots.
For cases involving Internal Wind due to Liver Yang Rising or extreme Heat, treatments like Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang and Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin are recommended, utilizing ingredients like Saiga antelope's horns (Ling Yang Jiao) and Gastrodia Rhizomes (Tian Ma) to calm the Liver and extinguish Wind. These formulas help restore balance and facilitate recovery by addressing the specific energetic disturbances contributing to the disease.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address cerebrovascular disease, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind
- Formulas that regulate blood
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that release the exterior and clear the interior
- Formulas that clear heat and transform phlegm
- Formulas that dispel phlegm
- Formulas that warm and open sensory orifices
- Formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices
- Formulas that rescue devastated yang
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Cerebrovascular 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 Di Dang Tang, with leech 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 cerebrovascular disease
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Di Dang Tang | Leeches (Shui Zhi), Tabanus Horseflies (Meng Chong) |
| Tao He Cheng Qi Tang | Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Rhubarb (Da Huang) |
Formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind
Cerebrovascular 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 Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, with saiga antelope's horns as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind" recommended for cerebrovascular disease
Formulas that regulate Blood
Cerebrovascular 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 clear Wind-Cold
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Ge Gen Tang, with kudzu root as a key herb.
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior
Cerebrovascular 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 clear Heat and transform Phlegm
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and transform Phlegm if it is linked to heat leading to phlegm accumulation.
One such formula is Xiao Xian Xiong Tang, with snake gourd as a key herb.
Formulas that dispel Phlegm
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it is linked to phlegm accumulation, affecting respiratory and other body functions.
One such formula is Di Tan Tang, with arisaema as a key herb.
Formulas that warm and open sensory orifices
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold affecting the sensory orifices, requiring warming and opening actions.
One such formula is Su He Xiang Wan, with styrax resin as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices if it is due to heat causing disturbances in sensory functions.
One such formula is Zhi Bao Dan, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.
Formulas that rescue devastated Yang
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by these formulas if it is a result of a severe depletion or collapse of Yang energy, requiring urgent restoration and warming actions.
One such formula is Si Ni Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Cerebrovascular Disease
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address cerebrovascular disease, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that open the orifices
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Herbs that pacify internal liver wind and stop tremors
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Purgative herbs that drain downward
- Cool herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
Herbs that open the Orifices
Cerebrovascular 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 Musk (She Xiang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Su He Xiang Wan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that open the Orifices" recommended for cerebrovascular disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Musk (She Xiang) | Su He Xiang Wan | Zhi Bao Dan |
| Styrax (Su He Xiang) | Su He Xiang Wan |
| Borneol (Bing Pian) | Su He Xiang Wan |
| Benzoin (An Xi Xiang) | Su He Xiang Wan |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Cerebrovascular 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 Leeches (Shui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Di Dang Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for cerebrovascular disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Leeches (Shui Zhi) | Di Dang Tang |
| Tabanus Horseflies (Meng Chong) | Di Dang Tang |
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Tao He Cheng Qi Tang |
Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when caused by internal wind from Liver disharmony, often manifesting in symptoms like spasms or tremors.
One such herb is Gambir Stems And Thorns (Gou Teng), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors" recommended for cerebrovascular disease
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Gambir Stems And Thorns (Gou Teng) | Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang | Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin |
| Saiga Antelope's Horns (Ling Yang Jiao) | Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang |
| Gastrodia Rhizomes (Tian Ma) | Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin |
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Cerebrovascular 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 Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Cerebrovascular 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 cerebrovascular disease, like Ge Gen Tang.
Purgative herbs that drain downward
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by these herbs in cases of severe constipation or internal heat, using strong downward movement to purge accumulation.
One such herb is Rhubarb (Da Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang.
Cool herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Cerebrovascular disease can be treated by these herbs when it is related to heat-phlegm accumulation, aiding in dissolving phlegm and soothing the respiratory system.
One such herb is Snake Gourds (Gua Lou), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Xiao Xian Xiong Tang.
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Cerebrovascular 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 Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Di Tan Tang.
Herbs that regulate Qi
Cerebrovascular 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 Red Tangerine Peel (Ju Hong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Di Tan Tang.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Cerebrovascular 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 Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for cerebrovascular disease, like Zhi Bao Dan.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Cerebrovascular 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 cerebrovascular disease, like Si Ni Tang.