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.
Chest pressure 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 chest pressure 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 chest pressure is often associated with dizziness, poor appetite and depression in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause chest pressure.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of chest pressure we’ve identified three herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat chest pressure.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause chest pressure
In Chinese Medicine chest pressure is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to chest pressure, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, poor appetite and depression.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
In addition to chest pressure, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include dizziness, poor appetite and dry mouth.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Intermenstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Damp-Heat is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Three herbal formulas that might help with chest pressure
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Why might Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang help with chest pressure?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which chest pressure is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Morning Sickness.
Ba Zheng San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire. Promotes urination. Unblocks painful urinary dribbling.
Why might Ba Zheng San help with chest pressure?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which chest pressure is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Damp-Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Intermenstrual Bleeding.
Xiao Ban Xia Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Alleviates and removes thin mucus. Directs rebellious Qi downward. Stops vomiting. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Xiao Ban Xia Tang help with chest pressure?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which chest pressure is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Morning Sickness.
Acupuncture points used for chest pressure
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat chest pressure
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with chest pressure?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat chest pressure as a symptom, like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang or Ba Zheng San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with chest pressure?
Because it is a key herb in Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with chest pressure as a symptom)
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with chest pressure?
Because it is a key herb in Xiao Ban Xia Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with chest pressure as a symptom)
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Knotgrass (Bian Xu) help with chest pressure?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Zheng San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with chest pressure as a symptom)
Knotgrass is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Bladder.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat and encourages urination. Drains Dampness and stops itching. Kills parasites.
Why might Chinese Pink Herb (Qu Mai) help with chest pressure?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Zheng San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with chest pressure as a symptom)
Chinese Pink Herbs is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Bladder, the Heart and the Small intestine.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and expels Damp-Heat. Dissolves Blood Stasis and assists blocked menstruation.
Conditions associated with chest pressure
Other symptoms often associated with chest pressure
Dizziness Poor appetite Depression Dry mouth Tinnitus Back pain Tiredness Feeling of cold Dry throat Night sweats