Cardiac failure 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.
acute cardiac insufficiency, congestive heart failure and heart failure redirect here
Cardiac failure can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like cardiac failure here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here cardiac failure is often associated with palpitations, dizziness and forgetfulness in the pattern “Heart and Spleen Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of cardiac failure we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Gui Pi Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Heart and Spleen Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause cardiac failure
In Chinese Medicine cardiac failure is a symptom for the pattern "Heart and Spleen Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Heart and Spleen Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
The Heart can receive sufficient Blood from the Spleen, if the latter's transformation and transportation function work properly, providing sufficient nutrients for growth and development. In turn, Heart Blood circulates and supplies the Spleen with nutrients to better perform its functions.
In addition to cardiac failure, other symptoms associated with Heart and Spleen Deficiency include palpitations, dizziness and forgetfulness.
Heart and Spleen Deficiency is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood".
A herbal formula that might help with cardiac failure
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with cardiac failure?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' of which congestive heart failure is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat cardiac failure
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with cardiac failure?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' (a pattern with cardiac failure as a symptom)
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with cardiac failure?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' (a pattern with cardiac failure as a symptom)
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with cardiac failure?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' (a pattern with cardiac failure as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Why might Longan (Long Yan Rou) help with cardiac failure?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' (a pattern with cardiac failure as a symptom)
Longans is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Nourishes the Blood. Calms the spirit. Relieves fatigue, especially mental fatigue.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with cardiac failure?
Because it is a key herb in Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Heart and Spleen Deficiency' (a pattern with cardiac failure as a symptom)
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Other symptoms often associated with cardiac failure
Palpitations Edema Coughing Dizziness Generalized body pain Aching bones and joints Cold extremities Forgetfulness Insomnia Fatigue