Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) contains thousands of years of written history about how to support and protect the Heart. Like in western medicine, the heart is described as being responsible for pumping blood around the body. It directs the blood and governs the blood vessels. The Qi of the Heart is what fuels the heartbeat, and when Qi is deficient, blood doesn’t circulate well. A well-functioning heart is noticed in an energetic patient with a rosy face, a pinkish tongue, and warm hands and feet.
In TCM, the heart is also the storehouse of our consciousness – it is the central organ of the spirit (shen), mental activities, and physical vitality. In the heart, yin, yang, and blood combine to nourish the spirit. The shen has been said to occupy the muscles during the day and the heart at night, and it needs essential yin and blood to be healthy. Patients with a sound, clear mind are believed to have sufficient heart energy. Joy is the emotion associated with the heart.
Tonic herbs for the heart do not stimulate, rather they nourish, strengthen, and protect. They can be somewhat cloying, and are best used in blends, and not singly. Tonic herb blends are a good strategy for a patient who may not have more critical disharmonies, but who are in serious need of a pick-me-up, so they can enjoy life more. One wonderful tonic herb for the heart is Dong Quai (dang qui or Angelica sinensis), which tonifies and invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain. Chinese Salvia (dan shen or Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a heart tonic that has a mild blood thinning effect. It can widen the arteries of the heart to increase the flow of blood.
If you want to support heart health with a tonic formula that has an uplifting effect but aren’t sure which formulas would be best, these are herbal blends that contain Dong Quai and Chinese Salvia, which can have profound results. They can be used along with any of the tonic formulas that are on special this month (read below), to elevate their effects.
- Emperor’s Ginseng Zizyphus: tonifies the heart, enriches the yin and nourishes the blood. Helps with irritability, anxiety (palpitations), insomnia. Relieves forgetfulness. Improves concentration.
- Shen-Gem: used to treat heart blood deficiency, insomnia, nervousness, memory loss, and anxiety. Can be used long-term for people with immune disorders, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain.
- Bupleurum Entangled Qi: vitalizes Qi and blood and resolves phlegm (congestion and lumps in tissues). Can help treat depression.
- Channel Flow: regulates Qi and blood. Warms and unblocks the channels. Can be used for chronic pain and headaches.