Diseases of the Heart
Crooke, Mikrokosmographia, 1618The Heart is a principal Organ of the Body and is one of the 5 Yin Organs of TCM.
The Heart distributes blood and Qi throughout the Body via the Arteries. Due to it being the most active organ and responsible for keeping the body warm, it is associated with the Fire Element in all systems. This means that it requires a lot of Yang Energy, and conversely, is easily affected by excess Heat. Due to its high rate of activity, it is also prone to disturbances in its rate which is generally a Wind / Qi disorder. The Heart also works closely with the Kidneys in maintaining balance of Fire and Water within the body. A weakness in either will cause dysfunction in the other.
The Heart is also regarded as the Seat of the Spirit in TCM. There is a close connection with the Heart and Spirit (Consciousness). Therefore, calming the Heart and Spirit is a treatment method often used when there is Insomnia, Restlessness, Emotional or Mental disorders. The Gems, Pearl, Coral and Amber are all examples of medicines which work to Cool the Heart and settle the Mind and Spirit.
The Signs of the Nature of the Heart
(Taken from Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘, Budge, 1913)
Hot condition of the Heart:
‘… are made known by the greatness (i.e., depth) of the breathing, and by the lightness and rapidity of the feel of the arteries, and by truculence, and wrath, and boldness, and by the hair that is on the breasts of [men of] this kind, and especially by a whistling sound over the heart … and in the majority of cases the whole body is hot; but, if the liver standeth much against it, and there is breadth of chest”
“Those who possess a very ardent temperament do not need any course of treatment, but easy walking and bathing are sufficient for them, and they will therefore rejoice in bathing after meals”
Cold condition of the Heart
“… diminishes the touch (or feel) of the arteries, and the men who possess this temperament are naturally timid, and languid, and care less, and their breasts are smooth”.
Dry condition of the Heart
“… makes the feel of the arteries hard, and causes a man to be slow to anger, but when his anger is roused up it becomes a savage passion, and in the majority of cases such anger subsideth with difficulty. And the whole of the bodies of men possessing this temperament is dry, provided that the liver be not found to be standing against it.
“Those who possess an exceedingly dry temperament need abundant nourishment, and they must abstain from violent and excessive exercise,such as it is well known that men abstain from in the season of summer. And frequent washing (or, bathing) is beneficial for them, and especially draughts of cold water after a meal, for these are the opposite of dry constitutions. And frequent copulation injureth them, and consequently it is meet for them to guard themselves against anger, and fatigue, and anxiety, and sleeplessness”
Moist condition of the Heart
“… causes the arteries to feel soft to the touch. Those who possess this temperament are stirred up quickly to wrath, and this wrath subsideth quickly; and the whole of their bodies is moist, provided that in this case also the liver doth not stand against it.
“… a constitution that is moist naturally during the period of youth casteth its possessor into the pains of rheum, and of superfluity, and into the sicknesses of fluxes, and therefore young folks require much exercise, and complete digestion by the stomach; … and they will find themselves much benefited if they use water that is warm naturally. Now it is meet that we should be most careful about their evacuations which are to be brought about by means of frequent bathing and a purgative, or about the emptying of their bodies by means of the urine and faeces. And there is nothing to prevent them from making use of the helps that bring down phlegm, and purgative medicines, and foods that contain good chymes, and they may drink wine that will cause them to make water”.
Hot and Dry condition of the Heart
“… causes the arteries to feel hard, and large, and rapid, and light, and the breathing of men who possess this temperament becometh great, and light, and frequent. Their breasts and the upper parts of their bellies are hairy, and their actions are fierce and savage, and they are disposed to wrath, and are truculent, and tyrannical, and they are swift to wrath, and their anger doth not quickly subside”.
Heat and Moist condition of the Heart
“… they are less hairy than the class of men that hath just been mentioned. Men possessing this temperament are prompt in action, and their wrath is not followed by cruel acts, for they are only prone to be angry, and their arteries are large, and full, and light, and rapid to the touch”
Cold and Moist condition of the Heart
“… they cause the arteries to feel soft to the touch. Men who possess this temperament are timid, and languid, and careless in their works. And their whole body shaketh with their chest, and they do not nurse their wrath, because they are not prone to anger.
“Now, the cold constitution is evil, even when moistness predominates in it, and it casteth the possessor thereof into the pains of rheum. Abundant and light exercise, and the abstaining from washing, and the use of warming unguents, help men of this kind.
Cold and Dry condition of the Heart
“… they cause arteries to feel hard and small. Men who possess this temperament do not become angry on small provocation, but when once they are moved to anger, their wrath endures for a long time, and they nurse their ire. And their bodies and breasts are wholly without hair.”
“There are three changes of the cold, evil condition of the heart, but the most evil of them all is the dry change, when it hath existed for a long time in those who possess a cold, dry constitution; therefore it is necessary to moisten and warm such men. This may be brought about by moderate exercises, and by the foods that are moistening and warming in character, and by the drink of hot, vinous drinks, and by abundant sleep, but we must take care that the body is emptied each day of the superfluity that is produced in their bodies. And copulation is injurious to all men with dry constitutions, and especially to .those who possess coldness as well as dryness”
Modern Classification of Heart Disease
In Modern Medicine, Heart Disease can be divided into:
- Cardiomyopathies–diseases of the Heart Muscle
- Coronary Heart Disease–obstruction of the blood supply to the Heart
- Valvular Diseases–diseases of the Valves
- Arrhythmias–irregular or abnormal Heart rhythm
- Heart Failure–loss of the ability to pump adequate Blood supply
- Congenital Heart Diseases–a condition present from Birth.
Treatment
Treatment of the Heart may require various strategies:
- Clear Heart Heat–Pearl, Coral, Violet, Rose
- Warm the Heart–Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Galangal
- Regulate Heart Qi–Valerian, Aloeswood, Rose, Indian Spikenard
- Move the Blood–Saffron, Frankincense, Amber, Salvia Dan Shen
- Regulate the Heart–Hawthorn, Motherwort
- Clear Obstruction of Heart vessels–Hawthorn, Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric etc.
- Calm the Heart and Spirit–Balm, Sandalwood, Basil seed, Pearl, Coral
- Strengthen the Heart–Soloman’s Seal, Ginseng, Licorice, Mastic
- Nourish Heart Yin–Lily bulb, Asparagus root, Soloman’s Seal, Pearl
See also:
Heart Disease
Heart Weakness
Heart Pain, Angina Pectoris
Palpitations and Arrhythmias
Special Formulas
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A BAG TO COMFORT THE HEART Red Sandalwood White Sandalwood Roses Red Coral White Coral Tabasheer Camphor. 1 dram ea. Borage flower Bugloss flower Violet flower Myrtle flower Rosemary flower 1 handful ea. Cedar apples White Behen Red Behen 1 dram ea. Nutmeg Indian Spikenard Bione of a Stag’s Heart Cloves Cubebs Laurel leaf Valerian. Balm Aloeswood Basil seed ½ dram ea. Musk Amber Saffron 1 scruple ea. Powder them all and put into a red silk bag to wear over the Heart. (Secrets of Alexis) |
POWDER OF TABASHEER Tabasheer Rose 3 drams ea. Coriander 2 drams Walnut bark Amber Pearl 5 drams ea. Camphor 1 scruple A special medicine for Heart Fire. Dose: 2 drams, with Syrup of Sour Quinces. (Pharmacopoeia Persica, 1681) |