The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Possible causes and remedies:
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Symptoms: Anxiety Palpitations Slight thirst and seven other symptoms
Recommended formula: Wen Dan Tang
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Symptoms: Palpitations Dizziness or vertigo
Recommended formula: Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
In Chinese Medicine, myocarditis can be associated with two so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here myocarditis can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's myocarditis might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from myocarditis alone. For instance when myocarditis is caused by the pattern Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, patients also experience symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, dizziness or vertigo, dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with yellow coating.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with myocarditis so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below eight formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with myocarditis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Wen Dan Tang
Symptoms: Anxiety Palpitations Slight thirst Nausea or vomiting Dizziness or vertigo Bitter taste in the mouth Indeterminate gnawing hunger Focal distention of the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum Dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams
Myocarditis might be due to Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, dizziness or vertigo, dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat here
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) is the key herb for Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Soggy (Ru), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Symptoms: Palpitations Dizziness or vertigo
Myocarditis might be due to Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as palpitations and dizziness or vertigo. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium typically exhibit slippery (Hua), soggy (Ru) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thick white coating.
The top herbs in Wen Dan Tang are Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), Bamboo Shavings (Zhu Ru) and Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi)
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, a pattern sometimes associated with myocarditis. If it looks like you might suffer from Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium, a pattern sometimes associated with myocarditis. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang are Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), Bamboo Shavings (Zhu Ru) and Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian)
Source date: 1852 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Hot Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder Heat. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myocarditis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Gui Zhi Tang are Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) and Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogens from the muscle layer. Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myocarditis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Sheng Mai San are Ginseng (Ren Shen), Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong) and Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Source date: Yuan Dynasty
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Augments Qi. Supplies the Yin. Stops excessive sweating. Generates Body Fluids.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myocarditis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin are Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi), Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin) and Goji Tree Root Bark (Di Gu Pi)
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears the Heart. Augments the Qi and Yin. Stops turbid painful urinary dribbling.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myocarditis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang are Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Warms the Interior. Augments the Qi. Eliminates focal distention .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myocarditis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan are Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren), Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) and Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Source date: 16th century
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Heart Qi . Calms the Mind and clear anxiety . Nourish the Heart Blood .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with myocarditis. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).