Rheumatic valvular heart disease according to Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine, rheumatic valvular heart disease 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 rheumatic valvular heart disease can be caused by two different patterns.

To understand whether someone's rheumatic valvular heart disease 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 rheumatic valvular heart disease alone. For instance when rheumatic valvular heart disease is caused by the pattern Pericardium Blood Stagnation, patients also experience symptoms such as chest pain, hypochondriac pain, palpitations and painful period. Similarly, patients with Pericardium Blood Stagnation typically exhibit knotted (Jie) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.

We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with rheumatic valvular heart disease 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 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a formula that can help treat the patterns Pericardium Blood Stagnation and Stomach Blood Stagnation.

The two "patterns of disharmony" associated with rheumatic valvular heart disease

The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine

Pericardium Blood Stagnation

Pulse type(s): Knotted (Jie), Wiry (Xian)

Tongue color: Bluish-Purple

Recommended herbal formula: Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Symptoms: Chest pain Purple lips Palpitations Purple nails Painful period Hypochondriac pain Shortness of breath Dark clots in menstrual blood Feeling of oppression of the chest

Rheumatic valvular heart disease might be due to Pericardium Blood Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as chest pain, hypochondriac pain, palpitations and painful period. Similarly, patients with Pericardium Blood Stagnation typically exhibit knotted (Jie) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.

Read more about Pericardium Blood Stagnation here

The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine

Stomach Blood Stagnation

Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)

Tongue color: Bluish-Purple

Recommended herbal formula: Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Epigastric pain Vomiting of blood

Rheumatic valvular heart disease might be due to Stomach Blood Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and vomiting of blood. Similarly, patients with Stomach Blood Stagnation typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a bluish-purple tongue.

Read more about Stomach Blood Stagnation here

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula that might help with rheumatic valvular heart disease

The top herbs in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang are Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Safflowers (Hong Hua) and Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Source date: 1830 AD

Number of ingredients: 11 herbs

Key actions: Invigorates the Blood. Dispels blood Stagnation. Spreads the Liver Qi. Unblocks the channels.

Why might Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang help with rheumatic valvular heart disease?

Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Pericardium Blood Stagnation and Stomach Blood Stagnation which are sometimes associated with rheumatic valvular heart disease. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).

Read more about Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang here