Stroke according to Chinese Medicine
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
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 four formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with stroke, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
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
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Stroke might be due to Yang Excess if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as .
The four herbal formulas 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).
Xie Xin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Drains Fire. Resolves Toxicity. Dries Dampness.
Why might Xie Xin Tang help with stroke?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with stroke. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang
Why might Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang help with stroke?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with stroke. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Feng Yin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals. Calms the Mind. Clears Heat.
Why might Feng Yin Tang help with stroke?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with stroke. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to stroke
Severe constipation Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure Tense and firm abdomen
