5 Ways to Improve Your Heart Health, According to Chinese Medicine

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the heart is central to your body’s overall health. Ancient Chinese texts, such as the Daoist classics Huainanzi and Guanzi, explicitly refer to the heart as “the ruler of the five organ networks” and “the emperor of the human body,” respectively.

The Shen Shi Zunsheng Shu by Shen Jin’ao further describes the heart as follows: “[The heart’s] position is south, its season is summer, and its nature is fire. The heart thus represents the principle that is referred to as the body’s imperial fire (jun huo) Its relationship to the other organs is hierarchical; not only do the twelve channel networks attune their respective qi [functions] to the directives of the heart, but they offer their entire jing [material essences] as tribute to nourish the heart.”

The Heart According to TCM

The heart is one of the five zang organs, alongside the spleen, lung, kidney and liver. Also known as yin organs, they produce, store and regulate vital substances such as blood, bodily fluids and qi. The zang organs are believed to regulate the internal functions of the body.

Each zang organ is paired with a fu organ, or yang organ. Yang organs — which include the gall bladder, small intestine, stomach, large intestine, and bladder — help you digest food, absorb nutrients and dispose of bodily waste. In contrast to the zang organs, the fu organs perform external functions.

As a zang organ, the heart is paired with the small intestine, though the former plays bigger role in your body more generally. The Shen Shi Zunsheng Shu further describes the heart as “the root of life, the seat of shen [spirit], the master of blood, and the commander of the vessels. This elevated position is due to the omnipresence of shen: shen resides within qi, and qi resides within jing. Only the heart’s jing is always abundant, enabling it to dispatch subordinate shens to the other four zang organs. Only the heart’s qi is always abundant, enabling it to draw the jing of the body into the six fu organs.”

In other words, if you keep your heart healthy, your body will generally stay healthy as well. And if you take good care of the organs that take qi from, and offer jing to, the heart, your heart will be nourished and protected.

Unlike Western medicine, which views the organs as individual physical units, Chinese medicine views the organs as abstract, interrelated aspects of the vast network within your body. Following the yin-yang principle of balance, if any of your organs are diseased or not functioning as they should, at least one other organ will be affected as well.

The Heart, The Shen and Your Emotions

Shen is often translated as “mind” or “spirit,” though it’s a more complex concept than either of those words suggest. Shen is housed in the heart, and is thought to regulate your emotions, consciousness and other mental functions. Although the shen itself cannot be seen, its effects on your mind and body are obvious.

As the Shen Shi Zunsheng Shu mentions, the heart dispatches the shen to the other organs. Because the shen is so light, it requires the blood to hold it in place. Thus, the health of the shen depends on the health of the heart and blood, and vice versa.

When your shen is healthy, you are able to think clearly and rationally, feel calm and peaceful most of the time, and cultivate healthy relationships with other people. When the shen is disturbed, it manifests itself in symptoms such as poor concentration, memory loss, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and other signs of mental and emotional disorders.

The Heart and the Tongue in TCM

Chinese physicians believe that the jing (essence) of the five zang organs is accessible through seven orifices. For example, the tongue is believed to be the orifice to the heart. If the heart is healthy, the tongue will be a healthy red color, and will not have any unusual cracks or lines. If the tongue is pale, dark purple or has cracks on it, it could be a sign that your heart is out of balance in some way.

The Heart-Uterus Connection

The heart also has close connections with the reproductive system. In women, the heart is connected to the uterus via the bao mai (uterus vessel). If the bao mai is healthy, menstruation will be regular, and fertility will be high. If the bao mai is obstructed, the woman will experience reproductive issues such as amenorrhea, irregular menstruation and infertility.

Any imbalances in the heart, as well as the woman’s qi and blood, can cause issues such as excessive bleeding during menstruation, and a difficult birth. Thus, the health of a woman’s reproductive system is also dependent on the health of the heart.  

How to Keep Your Heart Healthy, According to TCM 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Some of the risk factors include inactivity, an unhealthy diet, smoking, inadequate or poor-quality sleep and uncontrolled stress.

Fortunately, each risk factor can be addressed according to the tenets of TCM. If you find it difficult to use the suggested solutions for any reason, we also suggest ways to stay motivated below.

Risk #1: Inactivity

Solution: Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga

Stay Motivated: Do the above exercises with friends. Set a regular schedule for exercise, and stick to it. Alternate between the above to spice up your routine.

Risk #2: Unhealthy diet

Solution: According to TCM, red foods help nourish the heart by making up for the loss of yang or fire energy in the body. Some red foods include tomatoes, cherry, red beans, watermelon, apple, strawberries, beef, etc.

Stay Motivated: Look up creative ways to prepare red foods.

Risk #3: Smoking

Solution: Let people know that you plan to quit smoking, so that it’s easier to stick to your resolution. You can also ask your herbalist for astragalus, which can help reduce the anxiety that comes with quitting smoking.

Stay motivated: If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, look to family and friends for support. Alternatively, join a local support group for former smokers.

Risk #4: Inadequate or poor-quality sleep

Solution: In TCM, poor sleep is caused by an imbalance in your yin and yang energies. Depending on your particular sleep problem, your TCM provider can give you a customized herbal formula tailored to your needs. Also, practice good sleep hygiene habits such as having a regular bedtime schedule, turning off your TV/computer/mobile devices before bed, making your bed and bedroom comfortable for sleep, etc.

Stay motivated: Put a note on your fridge (or anywhere else that’s more convenient) reminding you to practice good sleep habits. Do this until those habits second nature to you.

Risk #5: Uncontrolled stress

Solution: Practice tai chi, qigong and meditation. Drink calming teas recommended by your herbalist. Take a deep breath before stressful thoughts overwhelm your mind.

Stay motivated: Don’t beat yourself up for experiencing stress. Stress is your body’s natural response to real and perceived threats. Stress only becomes harmful when you stay in “fight or flight” mode long after the threat has passed. Once the threat has passed, take a deep breath and repeat a mantra like “I’m okay” to yourself again and again. Also, remember to take a break, and to pat yourself on the back for making it out of a stressful situation in one piece.

This #HeartMonth, follow the tips above to keep your heart healthy according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). You may also call us at (540) 847-6985, e-mail info@acupuncturefredericksburg.com or fill out our contact form for more information on nurturing a healthy heart.