Heart Meridian Biomedical & TCM Details

 

Modern applications of this formula include many symptoms of the cardiovascular system, management of blood sugar and lipids, and support of a healthy brain and nervous system. The herbs in Heart Meridian have been shown to have a broad range of pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, and anti-arrhythmic effects as well as impacts on blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids. (1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23)

 

A Cochrane review of laboratory and clinical trials studying the effects of hawthorn fruit on the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease showed significant benefits in symptom control and outcomes when used together with conventional treatments for congestive heart failure. (1) Effects noted include anti-cardiac remodeling (changes in wall thickness, chamber size, etc) functions, anti-platelet or blood thinning effects, along with cardioprotection. Puerariae also has anti-cardiac remodeling activity. Clinical studies in Asia have shown that it inhibits cardiac hypertrophy (heart enlargement), improves energy metabolism in the heart, and suppresses inflammation thus attenuating or preventing cardiac remodeling. (10) Angelicae is also protective of the heart and cardiac remodeling (fibrosis). (23) Wolfberry exhibited similar improvements in diabetic rat hearts. (5)

 

In China, pharmaceuticals containing Dan Shen (Salviae miltiorrhizae) have been developed and are widely used in clinical practice. A recent overview of the pharmacological and therapeutic actions highlighted arterial-protective, anti-atherosclerotic, and cardioprotective effects. (14)  A 2017 review described specific heart-benefitting effects, including lowering blood pressure, improving arteriosclerosis and myocardial ischemia reperfusion injuries (which may occur post-treatment of a heart attack). This article summarized some key clinical trials of Dan Shen alone or as part of a Chinese herbal formula. The effects include improvement of clinical symptoms and physical signs such as frequency of angina attacks, cardiac function and blood pressure. Also seen were improvements in antioxidant indexes, inflammation markers, blood lipid levels and ECG measures. (7) Angelicae is another herb supporting by much research showing it has protective effects against myocardial infarction, fibrosis, and arteriosclerosis, improves cardiac function and may prevent cardiac disease. (23)

Other herbs in the Heart Meridian formula have positive impacts on blood sugar and blood lipids. A random controlled clinical trial of wolfberry showed a significant lowering of blood sugar, and increase of HDL after 3 months in 67 Type 2 diabetic patients. Animal studies have shown significant reductions in cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL with wolfberry. (3)  Hawthorn berry extract was shown to lower blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in animals. (2) Puerariae also resulted in significant reduction of total cholesterol and triglycerides in mice. (9) Angelicae also shows positive impact on blood pressure and blood lipid levels. (23)

Many herbs in the formula are described in Traditional Chinese Medicine as calming the spirit and soothing irritability. These functions are supported by modern pharmacology in their impact on the nervous system. Hawthorn fruit, Dan Shen, wolfberry, schisandra, Polygalae and Acori all have shown both anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects in animal and other studies. (12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) One animal study compared hawthorn fruit extract to escitalopram (an SSRI) and found it to work similarly. (15) There is also evidence that schisandra and Polygalae have the ability to regulate neurotransmitters and positively impact stress hormone (corticosterone) levels. (10,15, 20, 22) Some herbs have been shown to improve cognitive function and regenerate nerve cells. (12, 18, 19, 22)

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine view:

Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit, Crataegus pinnatifida) is slightly warm and enters the LIV, SP and ST channels; reduces and guides out food stagnation, transforms accumulations and blood stasis, invigorates the Blood, dissipates clumps, and stops diarrhea.

Dan Shen (Red Sage, Salviae miltiorrhizae) is slightly cold and enters the HT, PC and LIV meridians; invigorates Blood and dispels stasis, clears Heat and soothes irritability, cools the Blood and reduces abscesses, nourishes the Blood and calms the Spirit. 

Gou Qi Zi (Ningxia Wolfberry, Lycium barbarum) is warm and enters the KI and LIV meridians; tonifies the Liver and Kidney, strengthens the sinews and bones, expels wind-damp, and warms and stabilizes the Kidney.

Ge Gen (Kudzu Root, Puerariae lobatae) is cool and enters the SP and ST meridians; discharges exterior conditions, releases muscles especially of the neck and back, relieves Heat, generates Fluids, raises Spleen Yang and stops diarrhea.

Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit, Fructus schisandrae) is warm, enters the HT, KI and LU meridians and all five Zang organs; replenishes fluids, quiets the Spirit, and calms and contains Heart Qi.

Yuan Zhi (Milkwort, Radix Polygalae) is slightly warm and enters the HT and LU meridians. Calms the Spirit, sedates the Heart and clears the channel joining the Heart and Kidney, expels Phlegm, opens the orifices, clear the Lungs and stops coughing, reduces abscesses and dissipates swellings.

Shi Chang Pu (Sweetflag Rhizome, Rhizoma Acori talarinowii) is warm and aromatic and enters the HT, ST and LU channels; opens the orifices, vaporizes Phlegm, calms the Spirit, disperses Wind, transforms Damp, harmonizes the Spleen, moves Qi and Blood, reduces swelling, alleviates sores and benefits the throat.

Dang Gui (Angelica Root, Angelicae sinensis) is warm and enters the HT, LIV and SP channels; tonifies Blood and regulates the menses, invigorates the Blood and disperses Cold, moistens the intestines and unblock bowels, reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, alleviates pain, and stops cough.

Bai Zi Ren (Arbor Vitae Seed Thuja orientalis) is neutral and enters the HT, KI, and LI channels; nourishes the Heart, calms the Spirit, moistens the Intestines, unblocks bowels and astringes Yin Deficiency sweat.

  

References:

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  2. Dehghani, S., Mehri, S., Hosseinzadeh, H. 2019. The effects of Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese hawthorn) on metabolic syndrome: A review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. May;22(5):460-468. doi: 10.22038/IJBMS.2019.31964.7678.
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