Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common chronic diseases. In addition to antihypertensive medications, adopting a regular and healthy lifestyle, along with traditional Chinese medicine treatment, may have beneficial effects on blood pressure control and symptom improvement. Here are ten Chinese herbal teas that may assist in lowering blood pressure:
Chrysanthemum Tea:
Chrysanthemum tea can be prepared by combining chrysanthemum with honeysuckle and licorice, which have liver-cleansing, vision-clearing, heat-clearing, and detoxifying properties. It is recommended to use sweet chrysanthemum, preferably the large white chrysanthemum produced in Suzhou and Hangzhou China. Use approximately 3 grams per serving and consume a few times daily.
Hawthorn Tea:
Hawthorn contains components that aid digestion, dilate blood vessels, lower blood sugar, and reduce blood pressure. Hawthorn tea may have some auxiliary therapeutic effects for hypertension. Use 1-2 fresh hawthorn fruits or dried hawthorn slices to brew the tea, 2~3 times daily.
Pagoda Flower Tea:
Pagoda tree flower tea possesses properties such as blood vessel constriction, and may have therapeutic effect on hypertension. After drying the pagoda tree flowers, steep them in boiling water to make the tea. You can have a few times per day.
Lotus Leaf Tea:
The infusion and decoction of lotus leaves have the effects of blood vessel dilation, heat-clearing, and blood pressure reduction. Additionally, lotus leaf is beneficial for weight loss and fat reduction. Use half a fresh lotus leaf, wash it, cut it into small pieces, boil it with an appropriate amount of water, and consume as tea. Alternatively, you can use dry lotus leaves in hot water to make a tea.
Polygonum Multiflorum Tea:
Prepared Polygonum Multiflorum has the effect of reducing blood lipids and preventing blood clot formation. For individuals with elevated blood lipids, regular consumption of Polygonum Multiflorum tea shows some therapeutic effects. Take 5-10 grams of prepared Polygonum Multiflorum, boil it in water for 30 minutes, and drink it as tea.
Kudzu Root Tea:
Kudzu root improves cerebral blood circulation and provides relief for symptoms such as headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and lower back pain caused by hypertension. Wash and slice 30 grams of kudzu root, boil it in water, and consume it as tea.
Lotus Plumule Tea:
Lotus plumule refers to the green sprout/embryo inside the lotus seed. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it has a bitter taste, a cooling nature, and possesses certain blood pressure-lowering effects. It also has the benefits of heat-clearing, calming the mind, and strengthening the heart. Use 12 grams of lotus seed heart, steep it in hot water, and consume it as tea.
Cassia Seed Tea:
Cassia seed has the effects of lowering blood pressure, reducing blood lipids, cleansing the liver and benefit vision. Use 15-20 grams of cassia seeds to make tea by steeping them in water. Consume a times daily.
Mulberry Mistletoe Tea:
Mulberry mistletoe is an important herb for nourishing the kidney in Chinese medicine. Brew mulberry mistletoe as a tea to provide significant auxiliary therapeutic effects for hypertension. Take 15 grams of dried mulberry mistletoe, boil it for 15 minutes, and consume it as tea. You can have the tea a few time per day.
Corn Silk Tea:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine Corn silk has been used for diarrhoea, diuresis and some stomach issues. It also has some blood pressure-lowering effects. Use 25-30 grams per serving to make tea. 2~3 times daily.
For patients with hypertension, Chinese herbal tea may provide complementary therapeutic benefits in conjunction with your conventional medical treatment. In general, it is easier to use a single herb for tea brewing. For specific treatment needs or conditions, we recommend see a fully qualified Chinese medicine practitioner for herbal combinations. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasis on individualised treatment based on syndrome differentiation. Your TCM practitioners aim to address the unique patterns of disharmony within your body and provide tailored herbal remedies for the specific imbalances.
Chemotherapy can sometimes lower your platelet count, which increases the risk of bleeding and other complications. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for centuries to treat various health issues, including low platelet counts. Some scientific evidence suggests that these herbs might help boost platelet counts during chemotherapy, but more research is needed.
How Can Chinese Herbal Medicine Help?
Our registered Chinese medicine practitioners will assess your overall health and make a Pattern Diagnosis based on Chinese medicine principles. They will then recommend an herbal formula and treatment plan tailored to the severity of your low platelet count.
You can use Chinese herbal medicine alongside other treatments, but always under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Research and Reviews
Shen Cao Granules Study: This study found that Shen Cao granules helped reduce low platelet counts in chemotherapy patients with gastrointestinal cancer. It also shortened the duration of low platelet counts and reduced hospital stays and costs.
Chang Gung Platelet Elevating Formula (CGPEF): A 2018 study on gynecologic cancer patients showed that CGPEF might increase platelet counts during chemotherapy. The study was small, so more research is needed.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: A review of 12 trials found that Chinese herbal medicine could increase platelet counts and reduce bleeding risks in chemotherapy patients. However, more studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Summary
Chinese herbal medicine has traditionally been used to boost platelet counts. Always consult your doctor and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner to ensure safe and effective treatment.
References
Chunfeng Yu et al., “Effects of Shen Cao Granules on Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2019.
Yi-Hong Wu et al., “Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine Improves Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia among Gynecological Cancer,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018.
Li YX et al., “Effectiveness of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Improving Platelet Count among Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” BMC Complement Altern Med, 2017.
Recently, there has been a large increase in the number of patients who come to our clinic for neck related symptoms. In addition to neck shoulder and back pain, some people may don’t known that their symptoms are neck related, such as vertigo, dizziness, numbness in the fingers, sore arms, palpitations and anxiety.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions in the past two years, many people get used to use mobile phones at home, and even addict to them. People surf the Internet, and connect others more often on social medias such as facebook, instagram, Wechat, or watch movies/videos on youtube/Tiktok. And, it took a long time.
The use of smartphones can easily lead to neck related diseases for two reasons:
Firstly, the pressure on neck increases.
When using a mobile phone, you lower your head more, and your cervical spine tilts more forward than when you are sitting and looking straight. This increases the pressure on the cervical spine.
Secondly, using a mobile phone is more addictive.
The time spent on the phone is often much longer than you think. Many of our patients use their phones for more than 5-6 hours a day, and it’s not uncommon for some to exceed 12 hours!
Excessive smartphone use can trigger or worsen neck-related symptoms. It has become the new “pandemic” during Covid 19.
Here is a reminder for everyone – Please check your phone’s screen time, preferably no more than 2 hours a day.
The Coronarivus has been spreading in Australia. There are increasing information about the coronavirus from the media and social media. People are becoming more anxious about the virus – we see panic buying of toilet paper and other stuffs from the supermarket.
Here are a few things that I would like to share with you about the virus and tips to avoid COVID 19 infection at this special period of time.
First please remember – virus are opportunists.
Opportunistic infections happen when your immune systems are weak. If your immune systems are strong, you have less change of being infected, or have less severe symptoms if you are infected.
As the Bible of Chinese medicine – Yellow Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic Says:
正气存内，邪不可干 – When there is sufficient healthy qi inside, pathogenic factors have no way to invade the body
Therefore the most important thing is:
Don’t give virus any opportunity!
That includes two measures:
Firstly, keep your immune system strong
Secondly, avoid the virus
Here are a few tips for a healthy immune systems
Stay calm and have less stress – constant worry or persistent high stress blocks your energy flow and reduce your immune system.
Be mindful to have necessary and enough rest when you are tired – Do Not overstrain or overwork, especially when we are in a COVID pandemic.
Have enough sleep – Go to bed early if you can. Our body repairs, recovers and recreates energy during sleep, so does our immune system.
Keep warm – avoid get cold by wearing enough clothes.
Eat a healthy diet – Less drinking alcohol and have enough water
No smoking – smoker’s lung function have already been compromised. Evidence showed smokers have higher rate to become severe cases once they have contract Covid-19. It is time to quit smoking now.
Lots of sunlight – Sunlight is the nature’s greatest disinfectant because the ultraviolet light inactivates bacteria and viruses. Researchers found a certain spectrum of ultraviolet light — far-UVC easily kills airborne flu viruses while posing no risk to people.
Sunlight will also improve your vitamin D which is important to your immune system.
Now in Melbourne is Autumn – the most beautiful season and full of sunlight. So Let’s get outdoor and enjoy the sunshine.
Moderate exercises – Exercises contribute to general good health and boost your immune system. I suggest moderate intensity exercises such as power walking, jogging, light weight training, yoga, Taichi.
Important: Remember to take a shower straight away after your exercises if you sweat during exercises. Or at least change into dry clothes.
Why is that?
Although exercises improve your immune system, your body is temporarily vulnerable after exercise, especially if after perspiration:
– You are tired after exercises.
– Your core temperate is high however your body surface temperature is low from sweating because your clothes are still wet.
Taking a shower and change into dry clothes give you less opportunity for virus to attack you.
AVOID virus
虚邪贼风 避之有时
For evil pathogens, avoid at times – Yellow Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic
Wash your hands
Viruses bind with grease. Washing your hands with soap kills virus.
Hand sanitiser with 70~75% alcohol kills virus too.
If you can’t buy sanitiser you can make your own at home – buy the 95% methylated spirit and dilute into 70~75%.
Avoid touch you face, mouth, eyes and nose
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Ventilate your home and office – Poor ventilation traps virus. Increase ventilation by opening windows and room doors.
Chinese herbal medicine
I recently read articles in Chinese regarding Chinese herbal medicine treatment that seems to have the ability to reduce symptoms of coronavirus.
I’ve also read news that almost everyone is taking Chinese herbal medicine decoctions for those who have been isolated in the Fang-Chang hospitals （mobile cabin hospitals) with mild to moderate symptoms. It has reported that none of those patients turned into severe cases with herbal medicine.
20 years ago I worked at Wuhan Chinese Medicine Hospital. One of ex colleague, Dr. Lv have recently participated in treating patients at one of the mobile cabin hospitals. I had a few chats with him. He shared a lot of information about both WM and TCM diagnosis and treatment for Covid-19. He also shared some Chinese medicine formulas that they’ve used to prevent and treat the disease at those hospitals.
I am studying these herbal-medicine-formulas and will be prepared to engage in ‘telehealth’ sessions with anyone should you experience any symptoms.
If anyone of you, or your family members have any concern or experience any symptoms, please let us know by call 03 8802 1519.
Via the phone or video consultation I may be able to prepare the proper herbs for you to pick up or post to your address.
Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of use for various health conditions, including managing cholesterol levels. Listed here are 6 best Chinese herbs that commonly used to help lower cholesterol:
1. Hawthorn 山楂
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is rich in various beneficial substances such as hawthorn acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, and more. These components contribute to its ability to dilate blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and enhance the activity of gastric digestive enzymes.
Hawthorn is available in different forms, including tablets and granules, making it convenient for consumption. Additionally, dried raw hawthorn fruit can be used to prepare herbal tea or decoctions, allowing for alternative methods of intake.
2. Polygonum multiflorum 何首乌
Polygonum multiflorum Thunb
Polygonum multiflorum can promote intestinal peristalsis, reduce cholesterol absorption and accelerate the excretion of cholesterol. This makes it effective in reducing cholesterol levels and providing anti-atherosclerosis benefits.
Clinical you can used Polygonum multiflorum tablets or granules 2.5 gram each dosage, 3 times per day.
Polygonum multiflorumthe also helps constipation, particularly suits for elderly patient who has chronic constipation and can be diagnosed as Liver and Kidney deficiency in Chinese medicine.
3. Rhubarb root 大黄
Rhubarb Dahuang
Rhubarb root has been shown to have beneficial effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Clinical studies suggest that Rhubarb root can be taken orally in doses of 0.25 grams, four times a day. After one month of treatment, it may help reduce triglyceride levels.
Rhubarb’s strong laxative effect makes it particularly suitable for individuals who have high cholesterol and suffer from constipation.
4. Cassia seed 决明子
Cassia Seed
Cassia seeds have been found to possess the ability to inhibit the formation of atherosclerosis plaques and lower serum cholesterol levels. Take fried Cassia as herbal tea may gradually lower cholesterol levels close to normal range. Average dosage is 5 to 10 gram per day, over the course of one month.
Pollen Typhae
5. Pollen Typhae 蒲黄
Pollen Typhae, also known as Typha pollen or Typhae Pollen (蒲黄), has been found to have the ability to inhibit the intestinal absorption of exogenous cholesterol. This property makes it effective in reducing lipid levels in the blood. It’s important to note that only raw Pollen Typhae is effective in reducing cholesterol, as charcoaled Typhae is commonly used for conditions such as excessive menstruation and painful menstruation.
6. Ginkgo biloba 银杏叶
Ginkgo biloba
Research discovered that Ginkgo biloba has coronary dilation effect and it is able to lower serum cholesterol including total cholesterol and triglycerides.
Ginkgo biloba can be purchased from health food shop as tablets.
Almond Wellness Centre
At Almond Wellness Centre we have different forms of high quality Chinese herbal medicine. These include the “real” dry raw herbs, concentrated herbal granules, patent herbal pills, topical used herbal cream, tinctures. They can be specially tailored for your conditions. Formulas can be prescribed in a number of ways at both our Ringwood clinic and Coburg clinic.
