What is Myocarditis?
Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition of the heart muscle, typically caused by viral infections but can also result from bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, or environmental toxins. The inflammation can impair the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and in severe cases, heart failure. Acute myocarditis presents suddenly and can rapidly progress, whereas viral myocarditis might evolve more subtly but persistently impede cardiac function.
How does TCM View Myocarditis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches myocarditis not as a localized heart issue but as a systemic imbalance of the body's vital energies. According to TCM, heart health is intimately connected to the harmony of Qi (vital energy) and Blood, and disruptions in these energies can manifest as heart inflammation.
TCM practitioners focus on diagnosing the specific disharmony—be it Qi Deficiency, Phlegm, or an imbalance between Yin and Yang—believing that restoring balance is key to treating symptoms and underlying conditions effectively.
Causes of Myocarditis According to TCM
In the context of TCM, myocarditis can arise from several internal disharmonies, such as Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart or Phlegm Misting the Heart. These conditions reflect a state where excessive Phlegm and Heat accumulate, disturbing Heart function and leading to symptoms associated with myocarditis. Phlegm accumulation is often linked with lifestyle and dietary habits that disrupt the spleen's ability to transform and transport Body Fluids, thereby generating Phlegm that combines with fire to attack the heart. Identifying and correcting these imbalances through dietary changes, herbal medicine, and acupuncture is critical to TCM treatment strategies for myocarditis.
To address the complex patterns associated with myocarditis, TCM utilizes a variety of herbal formulas. For conditions characterized by phlegm and heat, such as Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart, formulas like Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang and Wen Dan Tang, both containing Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), are used to dry dampness and transform phlegm. In cases of Heart Qi and Heart Blood Deficiency, Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang with Biota seeds (Bai Zi Ren) helps nourish the heart and calm the Mind.
Additionally, Gui Zhi Tang and Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang are prescribed to warm the Interior and clear Wind-Cold, addressing the external influences that can exacerbate myocarditis symptoms. Each formula is selected based on a precise TCM diagnosis aimed at rebalancing the body's internal environment and promoting heart health.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address myocarditis, organized by formula type.
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm
- Formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind
- Formulas that release the exterior and warm the interior
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that tonify qi
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
- Formulas that tonify qi and blood
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Myocarditis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from an excess heat condition in specific organs, leading to internal disharmony.
One such formula is Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin, with lotus seeds as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat from the organs" recommended for myocarditis
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Myocarditis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Gui Zhi Tang, with cinnamon twigs as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear wind-Cold" recommended for myocarditis
Formulas that dry Dampness and transform Phlegm
Myocarditis can be treated by these formulas when there's an accumulation of dampness and phlegm in the body, requiring herbs that dry dampness and transform phlegm.
One such formula is Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang, with crow-dipper rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm" recommended for myocarditis
Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Myocarditis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from a disharmony between the heart and the mind, often manifesting as emotional disturbances or sleep issues.
One such formula is Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, with biota seeds as a key herb.
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior
Myocarditis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external cold invasion affecting the body, requiring treatments that expel cold and warm the interior.
One such formula is Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang, with cinnamon twigs as a key herb.
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Myocarditis 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 Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, with poria-cocos mushroom as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi
Myocarditis 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 clear Heat and expel dampness
Myocarditis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan, with baikal skullcap root as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Myocarditis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity if it arises from heat toxins affecting the body.
One such formula is Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin, with baikal skullcap root as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood
Myocarditis can be treated by these formulas when there is a combined deficiency of both Qi and Blood, requiring comprehensive tonification.
One such formula is Zhi Gan Cao Tang, with liquorice as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Myocarditis can be treated by these formulas when it results from an intense heat condition at the qi level, affecting the body's energy flow.
One such formula is Zhi Zi Chi Tang, with cape jasmine fruit as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Myocarditis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address myocarditis, organized by herb category.
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that nourish the heart and calm the spirit
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Myocarditis 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 myocarditis,
like Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for myocarditis
Herbs that drain Dampness
Myocarditis 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 Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for myocarditis,
like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for myocarditis
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Myocarditis can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for myocarditis,
like Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for myocarditis
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Myocarditis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for myocarditis,
like Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for myocarditis
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Myocarditis can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Gypsum (Shi Gao),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for myocarditis,
like Yu Nu Jian.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat" recommended for myocarditis
Herbs that nourish the Heart and calm the Spirit
Myocarditis can be treated by these herbs when it is linked to deficiencies in heart nourishment, addressing both physical and emotional imbalances.
One such herb is Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for myocarditis,
like Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan.
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Myocarditis can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for myocarditis,
like Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang.
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Myocarditis can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for myocarditis,
like Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Myocarditis 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 Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for myocarditis,
like Yu Nu Jian.
