In order for our patients to receive more information on the fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and associated western symptoms, we are putting together a series of very basic information of each system. It is not meant to be all inclusive or include every combination or possibility of a diagnosis from a TCM perspective, that is up to your practitioner to figure out. Your practitioner will help you understand your specific diagnosis.
We are also including some common foods that a patient can eat in order to assist in balancing their energy and associated patterns.
Heart Meridian
The Heart Meridian travels from the pinky, up the inner side of arm as shown in the picture.
Heart Syndromes
The Heart System in TCM is different in many ways than what we think of as the circulatory system in western medicine. The heart element has the following correspondences:
- Yin associated Yang organ is the Small Intestine
- Color: Red
- Flavor: Bitter
- Emotion: Happiness/Joy
- Tissue: Blood and vessels
- Sense: Speach
- Element: Fire
The Heart Qi in TCM has the following etiology and associated pathology signs/symptoms:
- Dominates blood – Stagnant blood, extremities cold, lack of strength, poor constitution
- Controls vessels – Irregular pulse
- Complexion – Blue lusterless complexion, ruddy lustrous complexion
- Hair is the ends of blood – dry brittle hair
- Small Intestine relationship – Defecation and urination disorders
- Houses Shen (spirit) – Mental symptoms, illogical speech, mind not clear, insomnia
- Controls speech – forgetfulness
Heart Qi deficiency:
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive perspiration (daytime)
- Symptoms worse after exertion
- Facial pallor
- Fatigue, weakness
- Suffocating sensation in the chest
Western symptoms: Cardiac failure, Cardiac disease, Arrhythmia, Reactive depression (neurosis), Coronary Arteriosclerosis
Dietary recommendations:
Oats, Rye, Wheat germ, Reishi, Apple, Cherry, Longan, Chickpea, Lentil, Pheasant, Cinnamon bark, Hawthorn, Licorice, Sage, Thyme, Arnica Flower, Hawthorn, Pollen, Rue, Yarrow, Algea, Ginseng (American), Coconut
Heart Yin Deficiency.
- Palpitations
- Low grade fever
- Irritability
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth, thirst
- Excess dreaming
- Dry throat, mouth
- Poor memory
- Malar flush
- Anxiety
- May be depressed
Western symptoms: Anemia, Arrhythmia, Reactive Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism, Neurosis, Tachycardia
Dietary recommendations:
Wheat, Apple, Persimmon, Mung Bean, Coconut milk, Cuttlefish, Arnica Flower, Chickweed, Ginseng (American), Hops, Rose
Heart Blood Deficiency:
- Palpitations
- Poor memory
- Excess dreaming
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Pale lips
- Dull complexion
- Lack of concentration
- May be depressed
- Fatigue
Western symptoms: Aesthenia, Anemia, Neurosis, Hyperthyroidism
Dietary recommendations:
Oats, Wheat germ, Beetroot, Reishi, Longan, Coconut, Chickweed, Microalgae, Pollen
Heart Yang Deficiency:
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Four limbs cold
- Watery stool with undigested food
- Mental cloudiness
- Bright – pale face
Western symptoms: Cardiac insufficiency, Cardiac Failure, Depressive neurosis, Arrhythmia, Shock, Angina pectoris
Dietary recommendations:
Scallions, Aniseed, Cayenne, Chili, Cinnamon bark, Garlic, Ginger (dry), Rosemary, Aconite, Arnica Flower
Heart Fire:
- Ulcerations, erosion and pain in the mouth and tongue
- Thirst with a desire for cold drinks
- Irritability
- Feeling of heat and disturbance in the heart
- Insomnia
- May be red or flushed face
- Bitter taste in mouth
- Inability to stay asleep
- Extremely anxious
- Deep yellow urine
Western symptoms: Tongue ulcers, Avitaminosis
Dietary recommendations:
Wheat, Wheat germ, Lotus root, Apple, Persimmon, Watermelon, Aduki bean, Mung bean, Vitamin C, Clary Sage
Heart Phlegm-Fire:
- Irritability
- Palpitations
- Bitter taste in mouth
- Insomnia
- Dream disturbed sleep
- Agitated
- Restless
- Alternates between depression and confusion
Western symptoms: Manic or hypomanic psychosis, Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, Neurosis
Dietary recommendations:
Hijiki, Agar, Persimmon, Aduki bean, Chickpea, Aniseed, Licorice, Sage, Calamus, Lobelia, Myrrh, Rhubarb root, Sandalwood, St John’s Wort, Yarrow, Tea (black and green), Neroli
Heart Qi/Blood Stagnation:
- Palpitations
- Cold hands
- Heart pain radiating down arm into palm
- Oppressive discomfort in the chest
Western symptoms: Angina pectoris, Coronary artery disease, Heart Attack, Myocardial infarction, Pericarditis
Dietary recommendations:
Oats, Rye, Wheat Germ, Beetroot, Lotus root, Scallion, Cherry, Aniseed, Cayenne, Chili, Cinnamon bark, Garlic, Ginger (fresh), Hawthorn, Licorice, Oregano, Pepper (black), Thyme, Arnica flower, Barberry bark, Camphor resin, Catnip, Celandine, Cinnamon twig, Aduki bean, Frankincense, Hops, Mistletoe, Lavender, Limeflower, Lobelia, Motherwort, Myrrh, Pasque flower, Passionflower, Rhubarb root, Rose, Rue, Scullcap, St Johns Wort, Spirits
Small Intestine Meridian
The Small Intestine Meridian travels from the lateral side of pinky inside of the arm to the ear bilaterally. As shown in the picture.
Small Intestine Syndromes
The Small Intestine System in TCM is different in many ways than what we think of as the intestinal system in western medicine. The Small intestine element has the following correspondences:
- Yang associated Yin organ is the Heart
- Color: Red
- Flavor: Bitter and Sharp
- Emotion: Joy and Happiness
- Tissue: Blood and vessels
- Sense: Speech
- Element: Fire
The Small Intestine Qi in TCM has the following etiology and associated pathology signs/symptoms:
- Controls receiving and transformation of foods – Receives from stomach and separates impure then sends the pure to the Spleen and the impure to the Bladder.
- Separates Fluids – The pure goes to the Large Intestine and impure to the Bladder
Small Intestine Qi Stagnation:
- Violent lower abdomen pain involving low back and testicles
- Abdominal distention
- Relief after passing gas
- Hernia pain in scrotum
- Dislike of pressure
Western symptoms: Hernia
Diet Recommendations:
Wheat germ, Peach, Ginger, Licorice, Raspberry leaf, Mushroom button
Deficient Cold in Small Intestine:
- Slight lower abdominal pain
- Feelings of cold and heaviness
- Gurgling noise in abdomen
- Frequent urination
- Diarrhea
Western symptoms: Chronic dysentery, Chronic enteritis, IBS
Dietary Recommendations:
Peach
Excess Heat in Small Intestines:
- Irritability
- Ulcerations of the mouth
- Sore throat
- Dry mouth
- Urine is scanty, dark and painful
- Polyuria
- Palpitations
- Flushed Face
- Fullness and distention in lower abdomen
Western symptoms: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Stomatitis
Dietary recommendations:
Wheat germ, Plantain, Aduki bean, Kidney bean, Licorice, Tamarind, Gentian, Plantain
