Traditional Chinese Medicine for Lowering Lipids (Part 1): Detailed Explanation of Chinese Herbal Medicines for Replenishing Qi, Nourishing Blood, and Promoting Blood Circulation (Ginseng to Astragalus Complanatus)
**II. Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas**
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1. Ginseng
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly warm. Enters the Lung and Spleen channels.
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[Efficacy]Replenishes vital energy, strengthens the spleen and moistens the lungs, promotes the production of body fluids and quenches thirst, calms the mind and improves intelligence. Modern pharmacology believes that ginseng can promote lipid metabolism, lower blood lipids and prevent coronary atherosclerosis.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia, qi deficiency and impending collapse, spleen qi deficiency, lung qi deficiency, thirst due to fluid depletion, diabetes, restlessness, insomnia, excessive dreaming, palpitations, forgetfulness, and impotence.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 5-10 grams each time. It is advisable to decoct separately over low heat and then take it together with other decoctions. Alternatively, ginseng can be ground into coarse powder and swallowed, 2-3 times a day, 1-2 grams each time.
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> [Precautions]
> (1) It is not suitable for those with heat syndrome, excess syndrome, or those whose vital energy is not deficient.
(2) It should not be used with Veratrum nigrum, roasted Five-spice powder, or Gleditsia sinensis.
(3) When taking ginseng, it is not advisable to eat radishes or drink tea, so as not to reduce the efficacy of the medicine.
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2. Codonopsis pilosula
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, neutral. Enters the spleen and lung channels.
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[Efficacy]Replenishes the middle qi, nourishes blood and promotes body fluid production. Modern pharmacology believes that Codonopsis pilosula can promote cholesterol excretion and thus lower blood lipids.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, deficiency of Qi in the middle Jiao, insufficient lung Qi, heat-related injury to body fluids, shortness of breath, thirst, blood deficiency, sallow complexion, dizziness and palpitations.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 10-30 grams each time, with a maximum dose of 30-60 grams.
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> [Precautions]
> (1) Codonopsis pilosula is most suitable for patients with deficiency-cold syndrome, and patients with heat syndrome should not take it alone.
(2) Codonopsis pilosula should not be used with Veratrum nigrum.
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> 3. Acanthopanax senticosus
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Pungent, slightly bitter, warm. Enters the spleen, kidney, and heart channels.
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[Efficacy]It tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the lower back, invigorates the spleen and replenishes qi, nourishes the heart and calms the mind, and promotes blood circulation and unblocks the meridians. Modern pharmacology believes that Acanthopanax senticosus has the effects of lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids, enhancing immunity, regulating endocrine, lowering blood sugar, and anti-fatigue.
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[Indications]This product is suitable for hyperlipidemia accompanied by symptoms such as soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, shortness of breath and fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia and dreaminess, and chest pain.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 6-15 grams each time.
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> [Precautions] Use with caution if you have yin deficiency and excessive internal heat.
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4. Gynostemma pentaphyllum
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Bitter, cold. Enters the Heart, Liver, and Stomach channels.
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[Efficacy]Clears heat and detoxifies, strengthens the spleen and replenishes qi, relieves cough and resolves phlegm. Modern pharmacology believes that Gynostemma pentaphyllum has the effects of promoting lipid metabolism, lowering blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing myocardial contractility.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia, leukopenia, chronic bronchitis, viral hepatitis, gastroenteritis, and chronic illness with physical weakness.
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[Usage]Grind into powder, decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 2-3 grams each time, 3 times a day.
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> [Precautions] Use with caution if you have a weak spleen and stomach or diarrhea.
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5. Polygonatum odoratum
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, neutral. Enters the Lung and Stomach channels.
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[Efficacy]Nourishes Yin and moistens dryness, moistens the lungs and nourishes the stomach, relieves cough and promotes the production of body fluids. Modern pharmacology believes that Polygonatum odoratum has the effects of lowering blood lipids, resisting arteriosclerosis, lowering blood sugar, dilating coronary arteries and enhancing the body's immunity.
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> [Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia of lung and stomach yin deficiency type, with symptoms such as dryness and heat, cough, dry mouth and tongue, night sweats, etc.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 10-15 grams each time. If you want to use it for its yin-nourishing and heat-clearing effects, you should use it raw; if you want to use it for its yin-tonifying effects, you should process it before taking it.
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> [Precautions] This product is not suitable for patients with spleen deficiency or phlegm-dampness obstruction.
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> **6.Matsuye**
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Bitter, warm. Enters the Heart and Spleen channels.
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[Efficacy]It dries dampness and dispels wind, removes cold and unblocks the meridians. Modern pharmacology believes that pine needles have effects such as lowering blood lipids, antiviral, sedative, analgesic and anti-aging.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia, insomnia, edema, eczema, and influenza.
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> [Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 10-15 grams each time; the dosage for fresh product is 30-60 grams.
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> [Precautions] This product is contraindicated for those with joint pain caused by blood deficiency and wind-dryness.
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7. Angelica sinensis
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, pungent, warm. Enters the heart, liver, and spleen channels.
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[Efficacy]It nourishes blood and promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation and relieves pain, reduces swelling and moistens the intestines. Modern pharmacology believes that Angelica sinensis has the effects of nourishing blood, strengthening the body, dilating coronary arteries, increasing coronary blood flow, reducing blood viscosity, lowering blood lipids, and protecting the liver.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia of blood deficiency type. Also suitable for female patients with symptoms such as irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. The dosage is 5-15 grams each time. If it is used to replenish blood, the body of Angelica sinensis should be used; if it is used to break up blood stasis, the tail of Angelica sinensis should be used; if it is used to harmonize blood, the whole Angelica sinensis should be used; if you want to enhance its blood-activating and stasis-removing effects, Angelica sinensis processed with wine should be used.
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[Precautions] This product is not suitable for those with dampness, abdominal distension, loose stools, or diarrhea.
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> **8. Sha Yuan Zi**
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[Properties and Channels Entered] Sweet, warm. Enters the liver and kidney channels.
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[Efficacy]Tonifies the kidneys and strengthens essence, nourishes the liver and improves eyesight. Modern pharmacology believes that Astragalus complanatus seeds can increase cerebral blood flow, slow heart rate, enhance disease resistance, and lower blood lipids.
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[Indications]Suitable for hyperlipidemia of kidney deficiency type, with symptoms such as lower back pain, impotence, seminal emission, spermatorrhea, enuresis, frequent urination, and excessive vaginal discharge in women. Also suitable for hyperlipidemia of liver and kidney deficiency type, with symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, and blurred vision.
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[Usage]Decoct in water and take orally. Dosage: 6-10 grams each time.
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[Precautions] This product is not suitable for those with yin deficiency and excessive internal heat, or those with difficulty urinating.
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