Feeling of oppression of the chest 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.
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Contents
- The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of oppression of the chest
- Five herbal formulas that might help with feeling of oppression of the chest
- Acupuncture points used for feeling of oppression of the chest
- The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of oppression of the chest
Feeling of oppression of the chest 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 feeling of oppression of the chest 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 feeling of oppression of the chest is often associated with depression, dizziness and nausea in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause feeling of oppression of the chest.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of oppression of the chest we’ve identified five 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 feeling of oppression of the chest.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of oppression of the chest
In Chinese Medicine feeling of oppression of the chest is a symptom for 4 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 feeling of oppression of the chest, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include depression, dizziness and nausea.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menopausal Syndrome or Morning Sickness.
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".
Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) is the king ingredient for Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang, a formula used for Cold-Phlegm
Cold-Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
This is when a Fire Deficiency of the Gate of Life (Ming Men), which is the source of warmth for all physiological processes, inhibits the Spleen's ability to transform and transport the Body Fluids, which accumulate and become Phlegm and thin mucus.
In addition to feeling of oppression of the chest, other symptoms associated with Cold-Phlegm include nausea, cold limbs and poor appetite.
Cold-Phlegm is often treated with Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Dried Ginger - Gan Jiang - as a key herb). Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm and transform phlegm-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Lungs".
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) is the king ingredient for Xiao Yao San, a formula used for Qi Stagnation
Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Red sides
Qi Stagnation refers to Qi becoming stuck or stagnant, a bit like a traffic jam on the freeway. This restricted flow of Qi can be body-wide or happen in any specific Organ.
In addition to feeling of oppression of the chest, other symptoms associated with Qi Stagnation include depression, frequent sighing and irritability.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation.
Qi Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Knotted (Jie)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
This is a severe pattern deriving from other Heart patterns such as Heart Yang or Blood Deficiency, or Heart Qi Stagnation. Prolonged emotional stress such as grief, worry, resentment, anxiety or anger can seriously harm the Heart's functions of controlling Blood and Blood vessels as well as housing the spiritual Mind.
In addition to feeling of oppression of the chest, other symptoms associated with Heart Blood Stagnation include palpitations, purple lips and purple nails.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heart Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Postpartum Depression.
Heart 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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with feeling of oppression of the chest
Wen Dan Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Phlegm. Clears Gallbladder. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Wen Dan Tang help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which feeling of oppression of the chest is a symptom.
Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Lungs. Transforms congested Fluids.
Why might Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Phlegm' of which feeling of oppression of the chest is a symptom.
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Stagnation' of which feeling of oppression of the chest is a symptom.
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 feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Blood Stagnation' of which feeling of oppression of the chest is a symptom.
San Zi Yang Qin Tang
Source date: 1856 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Directs the Qi downward. Transforms Phlegm. Reduces harbored food.
Why might San Zi Yang Qin Tang help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Phlegm' of which feeling of oppression of the chest is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for feeling of oppression of the chest
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of oppression of the chest
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of oppression of the chest as a symptom, like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang or Er Chen Tang for instance.
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of oppression of the chest as a symptom, like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang or Wu Ling San for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of oppression of the chest as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of oppression of the chest as a symptom, like Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang or Wen Dan Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with feeling of oppression of the chest?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of oppression of the chest as a symptom, like Wan Dai Tang or Yue Ju Wan for instance.
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 feeling of oppression of the chest
Palpitations Red face Depression Dizziness Nausea Purple lips Chest pain Purple nails Feeling of heaviness Shortness of breath