🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is short for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Clinically, it manifests as angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, heart failure, cardiac enlargement, etc. In traditional Chinese medicine, CHD falls under the categories of “chest pain” and “chest obstruction,” primarily due to insufficient heart yang and stagnant heart vessels. Once evidence of myocardial ischemia appears, immediately follow professional advice to take safe medications. Angina pectoris, based on clinical features, belongs to the TCM categories of “heart pain” and “chest obstruction.” Pain arises due to blood stasis blocking vessels and obstructing channels—what people commonly call “no blockage, no pain.” Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule is a modern herbal preparation made from 11 herbs including Peach Kernel, Safflower, Chuanxiong, Eucommia, Fructus Aurantii, Bupleurum, and Angelica. It effectively activates blood circulation, removes stasis, moves qi, and relieves pain. By clearing blood stasis and restoring smooth qi and blood flow, it alleviates all symptoms of angina. Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule has minimal impact on blood pressure and heart rate, reduces blood viscosity, and no adverse reactions have been observed during clinical use. Research shows massage therapy also offers certain efficacy in preventing and treating CHD. Methods include:
Pressing Inner Gate (Neiguan): Press the Neiguan acupoint (two finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the tendons) on the inner forearm with the pad of one thumb. First press downward, then apply centripetal pressure. Alternate hands. For tachycardia, start light and gradually increase pressure, combining with tremors and gentle rubbing. For bradycardia, use strong stimulation. For daily maintenance, press the point and rotate it left and right 10 times, then press firmly for 1 minute. For severe angina, add pressure to Xinshu and Zhongfu acupoints to broaden the chest and relieve pain; for breathlessness and chest tightness, add Lungshu and Dingchuan acupoints to ventilate lungs and descend qi; for weak, deep pulses or chronic heart failure with edema, add Fuliou and Yinlingquan acupoints to promote diuresis; for hyperactive liver yang, add Hegu and Taichong acupoints to calm liver and subdue yang.
Massaging the Chest: Press one palm firmly against the chest and massage downward from top to bottom, alternating hands. Perform 32 repetitions. Do not massage through clothing.
Patting the Heart Area: Use the right palm or half-clenched fist to pat the precordial region 48 times. Adjust the force to what the patient finds comfortable and tolerable.
During these massages, maintain abdominal breathing, focus mentally, consciously guide the movements, and coordinate with breathing. Perform once daily, with one month constituting a course. Continue for three consecutive months.
For a long time, people believed only medication could relieve CHD symptoms. However, massage therapy also plays a role in alleviating and eliminating symptoms. Pressing Neiguan helps relieve chest tightness, discomfort in the precordial region, and regulate heart rhythm. Massaging the chest and patting the heart area help eliminate chest tightness and pain. Abdominal breathing enhances diaphragm movement, improving circulation in the thoracic and abdominal cavities, providing a natural massage to the heart, thus improving its nutrition and blood supply, and positively affecting ECG readings. This method is simple, convenient, and free from side effects of oral medication—some may even perform self-massage under physician guidance. Those interested should give it a try.