Congestive Heart Failureaccording to TCM
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Symptom family: Cardiac Disorders
What is congestive heart failure?
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively is compromised, leading to an accumulation of fluid in the lungs and other body tissues. This fluid buildup can result in symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and ankles. The condition often stems from underlying issues like coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, or previous heart attacks, which damage or overwork the heart muscle. Although it is a serious medical condition, management strategies can greatly improve quality of life.
How does TCM view congestive heart failure?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches congestive heart failure by identifying underlying "patterns" of disharmony within the body. A pattern in TCM refers to a specific cluster of symptoms and signs that suggest an imbalance in the body's natural energies.
Recognizing these patterns is essential because they guide the customization of treatment. Addressing the individual’s unique pattern ensures that therapies directly target the root of the imbalance, rather than just alleviating symptoms. This method underscores the holistic and tailored nature of TCM.
Causes of congestive heart failure according to TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets congestive heart failure through the lens of energetic imbalances in the body, specifically focusing on the Heart, Spleen, and Liver and Kidney systems. Many TCM patterns are associated with this condition, such as Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp and Yin Excess.
The former involves a depletion of the warming and activating energy, Yang, which leads to a sluggish circulation and an accumulation of dampness manifesting as swelling and feelings of coldness. The latter, Yin Excess, points to an overabundance of the cooling and moistening energies, further complicating fluid accumulation and systemic sluggishness.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Congestive Heart Failure
The selection of TCM formulas for congestive heart failure is carefully tailored to correct the specific disharmonies identified in a patient. For those suffering from Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, the Fu Zi Tang and Zhen Wu Tang formulas are recommended. Both include Prepared aconite as a key ingredient to invigorate Yang, warm the body, and alleviate damp accumulation.
In cases of Yin Excess, where there is an overabundance of cool and moist energies, formulas like Wu Ling San and Wu Pi Yin help promote diuresis and reduce dampness, containing herbs like Water plantain and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms, respectively. Each herbal formula is chosen to target and rebalance the underlying patterns of disharmony, demonstrating the personalized nature of TCM treatment.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address congestive heart failure, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that tonify qi
- Formulas that tonify qi and blood
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.
One such formula is Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm and transform water and dampness" recommended for congestive heart failure
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Fu Zi Tang | Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) |
| Zhen Wu Tang | Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) |
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by an accumulation of dampness in the body, requiring diuretic actions to promote fluid balance.
One such formula is Wu Ling San, with water plantain as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness" recommended for congestive heart failure
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Wu Ling San | Water Plantain (Ze Xie) |
| Wu Pi Yin | Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling), Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), Ginger Peel (Sheng Jiang Pi) |
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Dang Gui Shao Yao San, with white peony root as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these formulas if it results from Qi deficiency, necessitating treatments that boost the body's vital energy.
One such formula is Sheng Mai San, with ginseng as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these formulas when there is a combined deficiency of both Qi and Blood, requiring comprehensive tonification.
One such formula is Gui Pi Tang, with ginseng as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Congestive Heart Failure
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address congestive heart failure, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that cool the blood
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Ginseng (Ren Shen), a key herb in some formulas recommended for congestive heart failure, like Sheng Mai San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for congestive heart failure
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Ginseng (Ren Shen) | Sheng Mai San | Gui Pi Tang |
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Gui Pi Tang |
| Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) | Gui Pi Tang |
| Liquorice (Gan Cao) | Gui Pi Tang |
Herbs that drain Dampness
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Water Plantain (Ze Xie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for congestive heart failure, like Wu Ling San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for congestive heart failure
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Water Plantain (Ze Xie) | Wu Ling San |
| Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) | Wu Pi Yin |
| Ginger Peel (Sheng Jiang Pi) | Wu Pi Yin |
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is White Peony Roots (Bai Shao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for congestive heart failure, like Dang Gui Shao Yao San.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for congestive heart failure, like Fu Zi Tang.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Congestive heart failure can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Mulberry Bark (Sang Bai Pi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for congestive heart failure, like Wu Pi Yin.