Hypertension is characterized by elevated arterial pressure, referring to chronic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases with systolic blood pressure of 140mmHg or above, or diastolic blood pressure of 90mmHg or above. It is a result of rapid social development, accelerated pace of life, and aging population. According to research data, the prevalence of hypertension among adults in China is as high as about 28%, and this data is still increasing. Once targeted by hypertension, patients may experience headaches, dizziness, lack of concentration, memory loss, limb numbness, increased nocturia, palpitations, chest tightness, fatigue, etc. If hypertension persists, it can cause damage to organs such as the heart and kidneys, and even lead to serious complications such as stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. Therefore, lowering blood pressure is crucial for hypertensive patients!
Traditional Chinese medicine mainly treats hypertension by adjusting the internal and external environment of the human body. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes that "treating diseases must treat people", which means "putting people first, treating diseases as categories, focusing on treatment, combining acupuncture and medicine, and emphasizing prevention". So, how to apply traditional Chinese medicine therapy to lower blood pressure? Next, this article will popularize several common and effective traditional Chinese medicine methods for treating hypertension, hoping to be helpful to everyone!
1、 The types and clinical manifestations of hypertension in traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the occurrence of hypertension is related to the poor circulation of qi and blood in the human body, and can be treated through syndrome differentiation and treatment. The following are some commonly used methods of syndrome differentiation and treatment: (1) Liver and kidney yin deficiency type: obvious symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, tinnitus, etc. Commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas that nourish the liver and kidneys, nourish yin and moisten dryness.
(2) Liver yang hyperactivity type: Dizziness, blurred vision, red face, fast heartbeat, often accompanied by dizziness and other symptoms. Commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas for clearing the liver, dispelling wind, and lowering blood pressure.
(3) Spleen and stomach damp heat type: obvious symptoms such as dry mouth, thirst, loss of appetite, and constipation. Commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas for clearing heat and dampness, strengthening the spleen and reducing food intake.
(4) Blood stasis phlegm turbidity type: obvious symptoms such as headache, tinnitus, blurred vision, and thick and greasy tongue coating. Commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas for promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, resolving phlegm, and stopping cough.
(5) Mental tension type: prone to anxiety, nervousness, unstable mood, and even symptoms such as insomnia and frequent dreaming. Commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formulas that soften the liver, nourish the heart, calm the mind and regulate the mind.
2、 Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Hypertension
1. Dietotherapy
(1) Snow Ear Lotus Seed Congee: take 50g of snow ear, lotus seed and rice each, and add water to cook Congee. Snow ear and lotus seeds both have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm, and can lower blood pressure.
(2) Huangqi Pig Foot Soup: Take 50g Huangqi, 1 pig foot, and 5 slices of ginger, boil with water for 3 hours. Huangqi has the effects of nourishing qi and yang, enhancing physical strength, and regulating blood pressure.
(3) Congee with red dates and yams: take 10 red dates, 50g yams and 100g rice, and add water to cook Congee. Yam contains abundant mucus, which can lower blood pressure, while red dates have the effects of nourishing qi and blood, and strengthening the spleen and stomach.
(4) Bitter gourd and mud carp soup: Take 1 bitter gourd, 1 mud carp, ginger, and some scallions, add water and boil to make the soup. Bitter melon contains bitter melon extract and various vitamins, which can lower blood pressure and blood sugar; Mud carp has the functions of invigorating the spleen, stimulating appetite, clearing heat and detoxifying.
(5) Black fungus chicken soup: Take 50g of black fungus, 1 chicken leg, ginger, and an appropriate amount of cooking wine, boil with water to make a soup. Black fungus is rich in various trace elements, which can promote blood circulation and lower blood pressure. Chicken is rich in protein and amino acids, which can enhance immunity and promote gastrointestinal motility.
2. Moxibustion therapy
(1) Baihui acupoint: mainly used for treating hypertension, headache, shock, dizziness, prolapse, etc. In order to achieve synergistic therapeutic effects, moxibustion can be combined with acupoints such as Quchi, Fengchi, and Jianjing.
(2) Zusanli acupoint: It can increase the activity of various digestive enzymes and enhance gastrointestinal motility, thereby promoting digestion and increasing appetite. In addition, it is also very beneficial for improving heart function and enhancing the body's immunity.
(3) Taichong, Taixi, and Xuanzhong acupoints: can relax tendons and meridians, clear marrow heat, relieve gallbladder fire, soothe the liver and kidneys, lower blood pressure, calm the liver and eliminate wind, effectively preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
3、 Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy
(1) Tianwang Buxin Pill: Tianwang Buxin Pill is mainly composed of high-end nourishing herbs such as ginseng, musk, deer antler, and bezoar, and is suitable for patients with hypertension. This traditional Chinese medicine formula can enhance physical fitness, nourish blood and heart, alleviate symptoms caused by hypertension such as palpitations, insomnia, and neurasthenia, and has a significant effect on patients with hypertension of yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity type.
(2) Qi Ye Bu Mai Wan is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of Danpi, Muxiang, yam, and other ingredients. This prescription has the effects of clearing heat and dampness, soothing the liver and lowering blood pressure, and is suitable for patients with hypertension caused by factors such as blood heat deficiency and dryness, and liver yang hyperactivity. In clinical practice, Qi Ye Bu Mai Wan has a good therapeutic effect on early central nervous system changes and endocrine disorders in patients with hypertension.
(3) Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid: Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid is a traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of Huanglian, Huangqi, Huangbai, etc. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, heat clearing, detoxifying and other effects. In clinical practice, Shuanghuanglian oral liquid can effectively reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension, and has significant therapeutic effects on hypertension caused by liver qi stagnation and blood heat.
In summary, traditional Chinese medicine can adjust the balance of yin and yang in the body through various means, soothe emotions, regulate qi and blood circulation, and achieve the effect of lowering blood pressure. Different traditional Chinese medicine methods for lowering blood pressure are suitable for different causes, pathogenesis, and symptom types. It is recommended that patients with hypertension choose appropriate traditional Chinese medicine treatment methods based on their symptoms and undergo treatment under the guidance of professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to ensure treatment effectiveness and safety.