Cor pulmonale 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.
Cor pulmonale 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 cor pulmonale 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 cor pulmonale is often associated with palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pain in the pattern “Pericardium Blood Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause cor pulmonale.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of cor pulmonale we’ve identified four 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 cor pulmonale.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause cor pulmonale
In Chinese Medicine cor pulmonale is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
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
In addition to cor pulmonale, other symptoms associated with Pericardium Blood Stagnation include palpitations, shortness of breath and chest pain.
Pericardium Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
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
In addition to cor pulmonale, other symptoms associated with Stomach Blood Stagnation include nausea, epigastric pain and vomiting.
Stomach Blood Stagnation is often treated with Shi Xiao San, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Cattail Pollen - Pu Huang - as a key herb). Shi Xiao San belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates Blood".
Kansui Roots (Gan Sui) is the king ingredient for Shi Zao Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is when Phlegm-Fluids clogs up the chest and hypochondriac regions, producing chest pain, cough and shortness of breath.
In addition to cor pulmonale, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium include palpitations and shortness of breath.
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium is often treated with Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Kansui Roots - Gan Sui - as a key herb). Shi Zao Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that drive out excess water", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Purges and drives out Phlegm-Fluids".
Four herbal formulas that might help with cor pulmonale
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 cor pulmonale?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Pericardium Blood Stagnation' of which cor pulmonale is a symptom.
Shi Xiao San
Source date: 1108 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Dispels Blood Stagnation. Eases pain.
Why might Shi Xiao San help with cor pulmonale?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' of which cor pulmonale is a symptom.
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm. Stops pain. Promotes Qi movement.
Why might Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang help with cor pulmonale?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' of which cor pulmonale is a symptom.
Shi Zao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges and drives out Phlegm-Fluids.
Why might Shi Zao Tang help with cor pulmonale?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium' of which cor pulmonare is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat cor pulmonale
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with cor pulmonale?
Because it is a key herb in Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' (a pattern with cor pulmonale as a symptom)
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Kansui Root (Gan Sui) help with cor pulmonale?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Zao Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium' (a pattern with cor pulmonale as a symptom)
Kansui Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves water retention and congestion of Fluids. Cools swellings and reduces inflammation when applied topically. Strong purgative, driving water and Food Stagnation out though the stool.
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with cor pulmonale?
Because it is a key herb in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Pericardium Blood Stagnation' (a pattern with cor pulmonale as a symptom)
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with cor pulmonale?
Because it is a key herb in Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' (a pattern with cor pulmonale as a symptom)
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Red Peony Root (Chi Shao) help with cor pulmonale?
Because it is a key herb in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Pericardium Blood Stagnation' (a pattern with cor pulmonale as a symptom)
Red Peony Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver.
Other symptoms often associated with cor pulmonale
Palpitations Shortness of breath Nausea Chest pain Hypochondriac pain Painful period Dark clots in menstrual blood Feeling of oppression of the chest Purple lips Purple nails