Nathaniel Whitmore



THE HEART MERIDIAN

& HERBAL HEALING

A Comparison of Acupoints and Medicinal Plants

By Nathaniel Whitmore

Herbalist and Shiatsu Practitioner

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Natural Assessment of Heart Health

Description of Acupoints along the Heart Meridian

Instructions for Shiatsu

Top Medicinal Herbs for Heart Health, including:

Hawthorn

Reishi

Calamus

Nourishing & Cleansing the Blood with Herbs

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A GUIDE FOR HEALING IN THE NEW AGE

CONTENTS

Meridian Chart

Introduction

Assessment of Heart and the Heart Meridian

Pulse Assessment

Hara Assessment

Facial Assessment

Tongue Assessment

Spirit Assessment

Tsubos (Acupoints)

Medicinal Plants

Hawthorn

Rose

Reishi

Dandelion

Black Cohosh

Motherwort

The Ginsengs (Chinese, American, Notoginseng)

Calamus

Spices (Cayenne, Ginger, Garlic, Turmeric, Rosemary, Cinnamon)

Angelica

Ginkgo

Dan Shen

Horse Chestnut

Pulsatilla

Toxins (Foxglove, Lily-of-the-Valley)

Blood

Nettles

Dong Quai

Rehmannia

Tsubo/Herb Correspondence Chart

Homeopathy & Flower Essences

[pic]

The heart houses the spirit (shen). Therefore, joy radiates from the heart, manifesting as love, enthusiasm, exuberance, creativity, communication, and interaction. Mental and emotional functions, memory, and consciousness are rooted in the heart.

Grain chi transforms into blood in the heart. The heart then controls the blood and blood vessels, and is itself nourished by blood. The heart requires sufficient blood for vitality and to function properly as ruler of the spirit and blood.

Assessment of the Heart and the Heart Meridian

As the heart is located in the center of the chest, this area and the 5th chakra (the energy center located in the center of the chest) relates to the heart. Sensations originating in the chest (of oppression or fullness, etc.) correspond to the condition of the heart and the emotions. Posture can be observed to indicate how “open” the heart chakra is, including curvature of the spine and holding of the arms (such as across the chest).

Central to effective shiatsu is hara (abdominal) assessment. The area corresponding to the heart is located just under the zyphoid process, which is the top center of the abdomen just under the rib cage. The heart governor assessment area is just below that (midway between the naval and the zyphoid process. The two areas can generally be combined to assess heart and circulation (fire element).

The condition of the blood vessels and pulse reflect the heart. The pulse should be full and regular. Disharmonies relating to the force, rate, depth, regularity, and position reflect the pathologies of the heart. The pulse in the first position on the left hand particularly relates to the heart, especially at the deep level.

The condition of the blood vessels is also reflected in the skin. Redder skin coloration indicates opened blood vessels and/or too much heat. Pale skin shows a lack of circulation, or coldness. Blue, purple, and green colors in the skin indicate stagnation of blood.

The heart is also reflected in the face and tongue. The whole face and its complexion reflect the condition of the heart, especially the nose. The tongue (consider that it is used for talking) reflects the heart. The quality and activity of the voice reflects the heart. The tip of the tongue is especially indicative of the condition of the heart. It can be examined for color, cracks, unevenness, and splitting. A red tip on the tongue is common and indicates heat in the heart. If there is a long vertical crack reaching to the tip of the tongue it indicates a constitutional heart weakness or particular symptoms (such as heart fire or deficient heat) according to additional qualities. If the tongue is split, like a lizard’s, it indicates emotional (spirit) disturbance.

As the heart meridian (the Hand Lesser Yin) runs from both armpits to both pinkies (as illustrated above), these areas also correspond to the health of the heart. The heart is also reflected on the inside ball of the foot, as this is the area that corresponds to the center of the chest.

Although not indicated on the above diagram, the heart meridian also connects internally to the heart and descends to the actual small intestines. And at the tip of the pinky the heart meridian connects with the small intestine meridian, which then runs up the outside/back “corner” of the arm, zig-zagging along the scapula, then up the side of the neck, along the side of the face, to a point just in front of the opening of the ear. Both of these meridians, along with the heart governor (pericardium), and triple heater (warmer/burner) reflect the condition of the fire element within the body.

The meridian points (pressure points or tsubos) are both indicative of specific imbalances and are used to treat specific problems. Points are needled in acupuncture and are treated with finger pressure in acupressure or shiatsu. It is particularly good to be aware of HT 9 as an emergency point for heart attacks, in which case strong pressure should be applied.

Tsubo bladder 15 is associated with the heart and is known as the heart shu or heart yu point. It is located below and to either side of the fifth thoracic vertebrae. In addition to being a diagnosis area for the heart, it is used to treat heart imbalances manifesting as pain, palpitation, chest congestion, insomnia, and forgetfulness.

Astrology can also be taken into consideration. Leo (July 23rd to August 22nd) is particularly associated with the heart. The other fire signs, Aries and Sagittarius, also tend toward fire imbalances. When considering an individual’s natal chart, tally can be made of the amount of fire influences in a chart, which reflects their physical and emotional constitution. Additionally, Aquarius is associated with circulation.

The condition of the spirit is a reflection of the health of the heart. If the spirit is vital, then a person will have a clear mind, high energy, a strong voice, and quick reflexes. The luster of the spirit will be reflected in the complexion, hair, and eyes. A person’s eyes should be sparkling and clear. Yellowing of the eye or red eyes reflects a spirit disorder. A person with a strong spirit will have a positive attitude, keen intellect, and strong will-power.

Tsubos

HT 1, Highest Spring, is used for shoulder issues, numbness in the arm, and poor circulation to the arm and fingers. In short, it helps regulate the flow of energy between the torso and the arm.

HT 2, Green-Blue Spirit, is used for pain in the shoulder, arm, or rib/side. It also treats yellowing of the eye.

HT 3, Lesser Yin Sea, is used for hypertension; and for pain, numbness, tremors, etc. of the lower arms and hands, such as with Parkinson's and stroke. It is used to locally move the chi and blood. It is used for spirit disorders from phlegm and heat, such as epilepsy, depression (use cautiously when sedating), anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, poor memory, fuzzy thinking, and mental agitation. And it is treated for redness of the eyes and mouth ulcerations.

HT 4, Spirit Pathway, is used for sudden loss of voice and spirit disturbances, especially of an emotional nature.

HT 5, Inner Communication, is the main point for regulating heart chi. It is used for spirit disorders, anxiety, palpitations, arrhythmia, nervousness, and depression. It is also used for heat disorders such as excessive menstrual bleeding and inflammation in the small intestine leading to urinary symptoms such as incontinence and enuresis. It regulates the tongue and communication.

HT 6, Yin Cleft, is used to tonify yin and blood and, therefore, for night sweats and other disorders of yin or blood deficiency. It is also used for acute heart pain from blood stagnation, and for acute emotional disturbances such as anxiety and shock.

HT 7, Spirit Gate, tonifies deficiencies of the heart chi, blood, yin and yang. It is treated for emotional and mental issues, especially insomnia and muddled thinking. It is used for physical symptoms relating to emotional disharmony such as palpitations from anxiety and nausea from fear or panic. It is also used for heart palpitations from other causes and irregular heartbeat, heart pounding, and angina. Excessive or insufficient sweating is also treated with this point.

HT 8, Lesser Mansion, is used for heart deficiency. It treats heart fire effecting the mouth (ulcers); and heart fire descending into the small intestine and bladder, with symptoms such as incontinence, fungal infections, and genital itching. It also treats pain along the meridian on the forearm.

HT 9, Lesser Surge, is used for heart attack and to restore consciousness. It is also used to clear heat and obstruction from the opposite end of the channel, eye pain and redness, mouth ulcerations, and stagnation (pain or distention) in the heart area.

Hypertension is often treated through the Liver, Gallbladder, Kidney and other meridians.

Medicinal Plants

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is one of the top herbs for the heart. It nourishes and moves the blood, regulates the heart, and strengthens blood vessels. It is specifically indicated for cardiovascular disease due to over consumption of animal foods. Hawthorn is considered a true tonic for the heart, meaning that it is nourishing and normalizing. The berries can be decocted (simmered to make “tea”) or used as tincture.

Hawthorn belongs to the Rose family, which has many species that benefit the cardiovascular system. Raspberries and Blackberries (Rubus spp.), for instance, help to cool heat and nourish yin (the heart is sensitive to heat and yin deficiency); and they are high in nutrients that benefit the blood vessels. The astringency of Raspberry and Blackberry leaves and roots are good for tightening blood vessels and stopping bleeding, and to reduce inflammation. Roses (Rosa spp.) can also be used for astringency, and they have the benefit of healing the heart especially on an emotional level. Rose hips, rose petals, rose essential oil, and rose water are all very healing.

As a primary herb for regulating the heart Hawthorn corresponds with HT 5. As a nourishing tonic it relates to HT 6, 7, and 8. Hawthorn treats deficiency. It is also used to treat Small Intestine imbalances.

Reishi (Ganoderma spp.) is perhaps one of the best heart tonics. Therefore, it is another correspondence with HT 5. It is known as the Longevity Mushroom or Spiritual Mushroom. It has the benefit of nourishing the spirit (corresponding to HT 4 and 7) as well as tonifying the heart. It is a great cardiovascular tonic with many indications, including hypertension and cholesterol. Reishi is generally decocted for several hours.

Many herbs are helpful for hypertension. Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.) leaf is used as a diuretic. Diuretics help remove damp stagnation and reduce blood pressure by reducing blood volume. Because they encourage the kidneys to eliminate water, they also lead to potassium deficiency (for which supplements are prescribed). Dandelion, however, is very high in potassium. It is also very high in calcium, iron, and many other nutrients. Dandelion can be taken as infusion or eaten as food.

As a bitter, Dandelion helps to descend energy, which helps to counter the rising energy of heat. Rising of heat often disturbs the mind and heart. Bitters are helpful in the treatment of such imbalance and Dandelion is a very safe and common bitter.

Often hypertension is related to stress, in which case using herbs with the nervine property is indicated. Select from Black Cohosh, Motherwort, and/or Reishi.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga / Actea racemosa) is indicated when there is depression, arthritis, or hormonal imbalance. It is a primary herb for the heart and can be considered to be something of a tonic, though it lacks the sweet nourishing quality and should be considered toxic in high doses. Conservative doses of decoction or tincture are used.

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca is a primary herb for many cardiovascular concerns, and is considered specific for palpitations. It is a powerful nervine and, therefore, helps to reduce stress. It is a blood-moving herb useful for stagnation, but without the warming quality of many blood moving herbs (such as Cinnamon, Ginger, and Rosemary which are indicated for poor circulation). It is used like HT 7 for palpitations induced by anxiety. HT 3, 5, and 7 are also used for palpitations, but should be considered contraindicated when menses is excessive (which is an indication for HT 5), as it is a blood-moving herb that is useful to increase menstrual flow. Pain is a sign of stagnation and indicates Motherwort might be a useful herb. Motherwort is best as tincture.

For hypotension (low blood pressure) Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is indicated. It has chi tonic and anti-diuretic properties, which makes it useful to bring up energy level and blood pressure. Licorice is generally used in small doses and often is added to formulas for its harmonizing effect on herbal combinations along with its chi tonic effect and distinctly sweet flavor. It is generally contraindicated in the case of hypertension because it has a antidiuretic effect and it stimulates the heart.

Both Chinese and American Ginsengs are used as heart and shen tonics. Chinese Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is more stimulating to the heart than American. American Ginseng (Panax quinqueefolius) has a more yin tonic nature, which can be helpful in countering diseases of heat. Notoginseng (Panax pseudoginseng) is used as a heart tonic and to balance blood flow. Paradoxically, it is used both to stop bleeding and to encourage circulation. The Ginsengs can be taken in small doses.

Like HT 9, Calamus (Acorus calamus) is an herb that is used to restore consciousness. Calamus is also great for focus and clear thinking. It is a firey herb that embodies much of the heart energy. But since the heart tends toward heat imbalances, it should be used with consideration for the precious yin.

Calamus (which is called Vacha, meaning “voice” in Ayurveda) also closely parallels HT 4 as a treatment for loss of voice. HT 5 also relates to communication.

Like HT 3 Calamus removes phlegm (but not heat) and treats poor memory and fuzzy thinking. Generally Calamus is very moving and can be used when there is stagnation or insufficient circulation. It should be noted that Calamus is somewhat contraindicated with insomnia.

Calamus is strongest as tincture, as the dried root ages quickly, but can also be infused or chewed slowly in the mouth. A small dose, such as 5 drops of tincture, is often plenty. A sign of too high of a dose is heartburn, which is also a primary containdication.

Herbs with a spicy flavor tend to increase circulation. Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) is perhaps the quintessential example here, but I rarely use as a medicinal herb because it is so strong. Ginger is more often appropriate as a warming, blood moving herb because it is quite gentle in a way. Although Ginger is very warming and is an effective circulatory stimulant, it does not necessarily increase excessive heat and is, in fact, a primary herbal anti-inflammatory.

As a circulatory stimulant, Ginger assists treatment to HT 1 and 3. Other spices have a similar effect. Garlic (Allium sativum), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) are all especially indicated. Plus they are generally very good for the cardiovascular system. Cinnamon is also very good for circulation. Spices help by moving the blood (as warming circulatory stimulants) and by removing congestion in the body due to stagnant food (such as processed and fatty foods). Spices can obviously be taken as seasoning, but are also useful in other preparations. Garlic is often consumed raw when used as medicine. It is particularly helpful for high cholesterol.

Angelica (Angelica archangelica & spp.) root is used to promote circulation. It has an aromatic flavor and helps to remove stagnation and uplift the spirit. It is most potent as tincture from the fresh root, but can also be infused. It is also a common flower essence.

Ginkgo is another popular herb used to benefit circulation. It is used specifically for increasing circulation to the head and is used to benefit memory and general cognitive function, corresponding with HT 3 and 7.

Dan shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a primary heart tonic of Chinese medicine, though it is little known in the West. When it is known it is sometimes called “red sage root”. It is considered to be a very special tonic as it is a blood moving herb that is decidedly not warming in nature. Motherwort has this in common with dan shen, but motherwort lacks the strengthening tonic effect that a root provides. (as motherwort is generally used as a flowering herb).

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is effective for reducing anxiety, insomnia, and the like. Though generally tried-and-true, Valerian sometimes is very strong, is sometimes just right, and sometimes has a stimulant effect. Once you test your relationship with this plant you can generally count on that effect from it, but it is wise to start with a small dose lest you end up with a stimulant effect when you were looking for the opposite. it is also good for hypertension.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastranum) is used to increase vascular integrity (such as in the case of varicose veins) and promote circulation (such as with edema). The flower essence is a primary remedy for excessive and repetitive thinking, and is used for insomnia.

Pasque Flower (Anenome pulsatilla or Pulsatilla vulgaris) is a very strong herb (to be used cautiously- usually at the dose of one or a few drops). Because of its potency I would not recommend it for general use, but it is effective for severe or acute anxiety. It cooresponds to HT 4 and 7. Pulsatilla and Black Cohosh are in the same plant family, Ranunculaceae or Buttercup. The cardio-toxic Monkshood (Aconitum spp.) is also in this family.

Although out of my range of experience, it seems important to mention a couple herbs common to flower gardens that are used for congestive heart failure: Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis). Both are considered to be too toxic (potentially deadly) for general use, but can also be lifesaving when appropriate.

Blood

Since the blood nourishes the heart, it is appropriate to mention a few things about treating imbalances of the blood, which are of two major types: blood deficiency and toxic heat in the blood. Blood stagnation is another significant imbalance, but that has been discussed thoroughly above (as it relates to circulation).

Blood deficiency is the lack of blood or of vitality (nutrition) in the blood. It is a concept similar to that of anemia, the major difference being that the diagnosis of blood deficiency is based on natural observations such as paleness, fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails and the lack of “moons” on the nails, while anemia is primarily diagnosed by blood test. This should be treated with nourishing herbs and points HT 6, 7, and 8.

Hawthorn again enters our discussion. As a mild herb it is considered to be safe even as a food, which can be prepared by cooking and filtering the seeds from fresh berries. Though more often it is used in the dried form as a decoction or prepared into a syrup.

Dandelion also re-enters the discussion here as a nourishing green.

Nettles (Urtica dioica & spp.) are high in minerals and chlorophyll. They can be eaten as greens when in season or brewed into a nourishing infusion. A common practice is to make a long infusion by soaking overnight or through the day in order to extract as much nutrition from them as possible.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) is an herb used for moving and nourishing the blood. As a nourishing herb it is best taken in decoction.

Prepared Rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa) is another top Chinese herb for nourishing the blood. It does not contain the same blood-moving property as Dong Quai and is, therefore, more of a quintessential blood-nourishing herb.

Tsubo/Herb Correspondence Chart

Tsubo /English Name Uses Main Herbs

HT 1 Highest Spirit Energy flow Black Cohosh

Ginger

HT 2 Green-Blue Spirit Pain, Yellowing Eye Reishi ?

Dandelion ?

HT 3 Lesser Yin Sea Energy flow & Black Cohosh

Circulation Ginkgo

HT 4 Spirit Pathway Nourishes Spirit Calamus

Pulsatilla

HT 5 Inner Communication Regulates Heart Chi Hawthorn

Regulates Communication Motherwort

HT 6 Yin Cleft Tonifies Yin & Blood Nettles

Rehmannia

HT 7 Spirit Gate Tonifies Energy, Dong Quai

Blood, Yin, & Yang American Ginseng

HT 8 Lesser Mansion Nourishes the Heart Hawthorn

HT 9 Lesser Surge Acute Recovery Calamus

Flower Essences

Flower essences are very much aligned with the dynamics of the heart meridian, as they are specifically designed to work with the emotional aspects, including how the mind and emotions relate to the physical body. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and muddled thinking are all treated with flower essences.

Borage is used to encourage cheerful courage from the heart. Mustard is used to encourage balanced joy. Hornbeam is used to bring joy into routine life.

Rosemary flower essence, like the herb, is indicated for coldness in the fingers. It relates, therefore, to HT 1.

Trumpet Vine relates to HT 4 and HT 5 as a flower essence that is used to promote expressive speaking. It is also used for anxiety.

Chamomile is used for hypertension and insomnia.

Like HT 7, the Chestnuts are used for insomnia. Red Chestnut is indicated when insomnia is due to concern about others. White Chestnut (Horse Chestnut) is indicated for insomia due to repetitive thinking.

Essential Oils

Hypertension: Ylang-ylang, lavender, lemon, marjoram

Hypotension: hyssop, sage, thyme, rosemary

Heart Attack: clove, rose, goldenrod

Angina: ginger, goldenrod

Arrythmia: ylang-ylang,

Lavender for insomnia

Tsubo More Herbs Flower Essences Essential Oils

HT 1 Rosemary Cypress, Peppermint

HT 2 Wintergreen, Birch

HT 3 Chamomile, Aspen

HT 4 Trumpet Vine

HT 5 Trumpet Vine

HT 6 Self-Heal

HT 7 White Chestnut, Chamomile Lavender, Chamomile

HT 8 Mustard, Borage Rose

HT 9 Yerba Santa Clove, Goldenrod

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