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.
Stroke factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Fever Thirst Red face and four other symptoms
Recommended formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, stroke 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 stroke can be caused by two different patterns.
To understand whether someone's stroke 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 stroke alone. For instance when stroke is caused by the pattern Heat in Yang brightness Organs, patients also experience symptoms such as severe constipation, flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness. Similarly, patients with Heat in Yang brightness Organs typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a tongue with grey or black coating, yellow coating.
We've listed below a description of the two patterns associated with stroke 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 Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula that can help treat the patterns Heat in Yang brightness Organs and Yang Excess.
The two "patterns of disharmony" associated with stroke
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Grey or black coating, Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Severe constipation Tense and firm abdomen Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
Stroke might be due to Heat in Yang brightness Organs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as severe constipation, flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness. Similarly, patients with Heat in Yang brightness Organs typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a tongue with grey or black coating, yellow coating.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Yang Excess
Yang Excess
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Fever Thirst Red face Irritability Restlnessness Scanty dark urination Yellow vaginal discharge
Yang Excess is a Full Yang state and its symptoms are similar to those are caused by the Heat Pernicious invasion. Yang is associated with Heat, activity and Dryness and these are the general symptoms when patients have Excess Yang. However, they become more specific depending on the Organ involved. For instance, Excess Liver Yang can cause migraines, or Excess Heart Yang can result in manic behavior and extreme restlessness. When there is Excess Yang, the body is in a hyperfunctional state. Over time, the Body Fluids can be "burned off" by the presence of Excessive Yang, resulting in a condition of Yin Deficiency.
Excess Yang is most likely caused by the Heat Pernicious Influence, either External or Internal. It can also be caused by internal damage from the Seven Emotions, the Stagnation of Qi or Blood, over-exposure to hot climates or environments, indigestion, and the over consumption of hot-natured and fried greasy foods, coffee, alcohol and red meat.
Da Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula that might help with stroke
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines. Relieves constipation.
Why might Da Cheng Qi Tang help with stroke?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Heat in Yang brightness Organs and Yang Excess which are sometimes associated with stroke. 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).