Physical therapy for hypertension and single-herb traditional Chinese medicine (Part 1)
28. Dry cloth friction therapy
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[Efficacy]Dry cloth rubbing is a physical therapy for preventing and treating hypertension. It can enhance skin stimulation, promote peripheral vasodilation, and promote blood circulation, thereby lowering blood pressure.
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> [Indications]Various types of hypertension.
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[Usage]Use a dry cloth to rub your whole body in the order of hands, chest, and feet, towards the heart.
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[Precautions]Do not use cold water for rubbing. In winter, it should be done in a warm room.
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29. Hot Spring Bathing Therapy
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[Efficacy]Promotes blood circulation, improves metabolism, dilates blood vessels, reduces peripheral vascular resistance, and lowers blood pressure.
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[Indications]Hypertension, especially renal hypertension and rheumatic hypertension.
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> [Usage] After obtaining permission and advice from a physician, choose a hot spring bathing location with suitable water quality and temperature.
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> [Precautions]
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> (1) Hypertensive patients with heart disease should be careful.
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(2) Patients should obtain permission from a physician before undergoing hot spring bathing therapy.
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30. Magnetic Therapy
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[Efficacy]Reduces sympathetic nerve excitability, promotes blood circulation, and lowers blood pressure.
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> [Indications]Various types of hypertension.
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[Usage]Utilizing the physical effects of magnetic fields, magnetic stimulation is applied to the body's meridians and acupoints. This can be achieved through methods such as applying multiple magnetic patches, using magnetic therapy pillows, magnetic therapy caps, magnetic therapy belts, and magnetic therapy shoes. Magnetic therapy chairs, magnetic therapy beds, and other magnetic therapy instruments can also be used for treatment.
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Treatment with magnetic therapy instruments typically lasts 10 to 15 days per course. Consistent treatment can achieve ideal results.
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[Precautions] During the treatment of hypertension using magnetic therapy, it is essential to adhere to necessary treatment methods such as diet therapy, exercise therapy, and medication to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.
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1. Buddha's Hand
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Pungent, bitter, warm. Enters the liver, spleen, stomach, and lung channels.
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[Efficacy]It soothes the liver and regulates qi, resolves phlegm and harmonizes the middle jiao. Modern pharmacology believes that Buddha's Hand has effects such as lowering blood pressure and protecting the heart.
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[Indications]It is suitable for symptoms such as hypochondriac pain, chest tightness, abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting, and cough with excessive phlegm caused by liver qi stagnation and spleen and stomach qi stagnation.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 3-10 grams each time.
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> [Precautions]
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(1) This product should not be decocted for too long: if it is to be added to a decoction, it should be added later.
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(2) Those with yin deficiency and excessive fire and liver yang hyperactivity should not take this medicine.
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(3) Excessive consumption may cause internal heat.
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2. Malva nut
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, cold. Enters the Lung and Large Intestine channels.
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[Efficacy]Clears heat and moistens the lungs, soothes the throat and detoxifies. Modern pharmacology believes that Malva nut has the effects of lowering blood pressure and purging.
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[Indications]Suitable for hypertension, dizziness, sore throat, hoarseness, and toothache.
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> [Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 4-10 grams each time.
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> [Precautions] This product should not be taken by those with wind-cold or weak spleen and stomach.
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3. Polygonatum
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, neutral. Enters the spleen, lung, and kidney channels.
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[Efficacy]Nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs, strengthens the spleen and replenishes Qi, tonifies the kidneys and benefits essence. Modern pharmacology believes that Polygonatum has the effects of increasing coronary artery blood flow, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids, delaying aging, lowering blood sugar, and regulating the immune system.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia due to lung yin deficiency and kidney essence deficiency, with symptoms such as cough, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness, and weakness of the feet. It can also be used for loss of appetite, dry tongue, and constipation caused by spleen and stomach weakness.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 10-20 grams each time. If using fresh product, the dosage should be 30-60 grams.
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[Precautions]This product is not suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach, excessive dampness, excessive phlegm, cough, cold in the middle jiao (spleen and stomach), or diarrhea.
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4. Licorice
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, neutral. Enters the Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Stomach channels.
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[Efficacy]It tonifies Qi and strengthens the spleen, relieves spasms and pain, moistens the lungs and stops cough, and moderates the properties of other herbs. Modern pharmacology believes that licorice has anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, detoxifying, blood pressure-lowering, blood lipid-lowering, antitussive, analgesic, diuretic, and antitumor effects.
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[Indications]This product is suitable for hyperlipidemia caused by spleen and stomach qi deficiency and insufficient middle qi, with symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of appetite, and loose stools. It can also be used for chronic cough, asthma, carbuncles, boils, food or drug poisoning, and abdominal or limb cramps and pain.
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[Usage] Decocted in water and taken orally. The dosage is 2-10 grams each time. If using its heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, it should be used raw.
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> [Precautions]
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> (1) It is not suitable for those with dampness, abdominal distension, or vomiting.
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(2) Licorice should not be used with Euphorbia pekinensis, Daphne genkwa, or Sargassum.
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(3) Licorice should not be taken in large quantities for a long time to avoid causing edema.
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5. Epimedium
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Pungent, sweet, warm. Enters the liver and kidney channels.
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[Efficacy]Tonifies the kidneys and strengthens yang, dispels wind and dries dampness. Modern pharmacology believes that Epimedium has the effects of dilating coronary arteries, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids, lowering blood sugar, relieving cough and asthma, and antiviral effects.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia of kidney yang deficiency type, with symptoms such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, impotence, and seminal emission. Can also be used for patients with liver and kidney deficiency type.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. Dosage: 6-12 grams each time.
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> [Precautions] Those with a strong fire element should avoid using this product.
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6. Panax notoginseng
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, slightly bitter, warm. Enters the Liver, Stomach, Heart, Lung, and Large Intestine channels.
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[Efficacy]Strengthens and nourishes deficiency, reduces swelling and removes blood stasis, stops bleeding and relieves pain. Modern pharmacology believes that Panax notoginseng has the effects of lowering blood lipids, lowering blood sugar, lowering blood pressure, inhibiting platelet aggregation, promoting bone marrow hematopoiesis, anti-arrhythmia, anti-atherosclerosis, improving human immunity and protecting the liver.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, coronary atherosclerosis, and various types of bleeding.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. Dosage: 3-9 grams each time. Alternatively, grind into powder and take with water. Dosage: 1-3 grams each time.
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[Precautions]Not for use by pregnant women.
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7. Safflower
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Pungent, warm. Enters the Heart and Liver channels.
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[Efficacy]Promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, and relieves pain. Modern pharmacology suggests that safflower has effects such as lowering blood lipids, resisting atherosclerosis, dilating microvessels, preventing thrombosis, lowering blood pressure, and dilating coronary arteries.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, arteriosclerosis, postpartum lochia retention, menstrual disorders, and thromboangiitis obliterans.
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> [Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. Dosage: 3-10 grams each time.
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> [Precautions]
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> (1) Use with caution in those without blood stasis.
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(2) Contraindicated in pregnant women and those with bleeding tendencies.
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8. Perilla seeds
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Pungent, warm. Enters the lung and spleen channels.
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[Efficacy]Dispels cold and relieves exterior syndromes, regulates qi and relieves chest tightness. Modern pharmacology believes that perilla seeds have effects such as lowering blood pressure, antiviral activity, promoting gastrointestinal motility, antipyretic effect, sedative effect, anticoagulant effect, and cancer prevention and treatment.
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[Indications]Suitable for hypertension due to spleen and stomach qi stagnation, as well as symptoms such as those caused by external wind-cold.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 3-10 grams each time.
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> [Precautions]
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(1) Patients with febrile diseases should not take this product.
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(2) This product should not be boiled for too long.
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9. Plantain
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, cold. Enters the kidney, liver, and lung channels.
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[Efficacy]It promotes urination and relieves strangury, clears heat and nourishes the liver, clears the lungs and resolves phlegm. Modern pharmacology believes that Plantago seed has diuretic and antihypertensive effects; it is also often used clinically to treat temporomandibular joint subluxation.
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[Indications]Suitable for hypertension, edema, gonorrhea, diarrhea, red eyes, blurred vision, and cough with excessive phlegm.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 5-10 grams each time.
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> [Precautions] This product should not be taken by those with kidney deficiency and spermatorrhea, or those with sinking of yang qi.
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10. Earth Dragon
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Salty, cold. Enters the Liver, Spleen, and Bladder channels.
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[Efficacy]Clears heat and calms wind, promotes diuresis and relieves asthma. Modern pharmacology believes that earthworms have antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive, antithrombotic, anticancer and antiasthmatic effects.
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[Indications]Suitable for hypertension, arrhythmia, thrombosis, tumors, cough and asthma, headache, dizziness, epilepsy and convulsions.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 5-15 grams each time; 10-20 grams for fresh product.
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> [Precautions] This product should not be taken by those with weak spleen and stomach or liver and kidney yin deficiency.
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11. Peony bark
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Bitter, pungent, slightly cold. Enters the Heart, Liver, and Kidney channels.
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[Efficacy]Clears heat and cools blood, promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis. Modern pharmacology believes that peony bark has sedative, hypnotic, blood pressure lowering, meridian clearing, antipyretic and antibacterial effects.
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[Indications]Suitable for hypertension, insomnia, hematemesis, epistaxis, fever, and rashes.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 6-12 grams each time.
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> [Precautions] This product should not be taken by those with blood deficiency and cold, those with heavy menstrual flow, or pregnant women.
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> 12. Sha Yuan Zi
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, warm. Enters the liver and kidney channels.
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[Efficacy]Strengthens the kidneys and replenishes essence, nourishes the liver and improves eyesight. Modern pharmacology believes that Astragalus complanatus has the effects of increasing blood flow in the cardiovascular system, enhancing the body's immunity, lowering blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, and promoting diuresis.
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[Indications]Suitable for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, edema, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, dizziness, and blurred vision.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 10-20 grams each time.
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> [Precautions] This medicine should not be used alone by those with internal heat.
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