Stress Management

Stroke

Alternative and Complementary Medicine for Stroke

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Stroke

Practitioners of Chinese medicine attribute stroke to a chronic weakness of qi that eventually blocks the flow of Blood through the brain. Chinese medicine has equated stroke and heart attack for centuries. Western medicine has come to this view only recently.

To treat stroke, TCM practitioners prescribe herbs that open the blood vessels and promote the flow of Blood. These include hawthorn, frankincense, myrrh, santalum wood, aristolochia root, and borneol crystals. They also recommend acupuncture or acupressure as well as exercise such as Tai Chi and Qigong.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulae for Stroke

Ren Shen Zai Zao Wan (Ginseng Restorative Pills)
This Chinese formula tonifies blood, yin, and energy, stimulates blood circulation, and dispels stagnation. It is used primarily for symptoms related to stroke, including speech impediments, contractive or flaccid muscle tone in extremities, numbness and tingling in limbs, and facial paralysis. This remedy should be administered immediately after stroke occurs.

Main ingredients:

ginseng root 
Coptis 
cinnamon bark 
mantis egg case 
angelica 
tortoise plastron 
Ligusticum 
myrrh resin 
Rehmannia 
frankincense resin 
Gastrodia 
dragon's-blood resin 
Agkistrodon pit viper 
Carthamus flower 
Succinum resin

An Shen Pu Shin Wan (Pacify Spirit and Tonify Heart Pills)

This popular formula, although not a primary stroke remedy, nevertheless is very useful in preventing stroke. It calms the spirit, tonifies the heart, clears obstructions from blood vessels, and harmonizes energy connection between heart Fire and kidney Water. It is often prescribed as a remedy for insomnia caused by deficient kidney and/ or heart energy, as well as related symptoms of dizziness, restlessness, excessive dreaming, and heart palpitations. It helps remove plaque deposits from arteries, thus preventing their hardening and thus the resultant heart diseases and stroke. This formula is known for its soothing, tranquillizing effects.

Main ingredients:

mother-of-pearl 
Albizia bark 
Polygonum 
Cuscuta 
Ligustrum 
Schizandrae 
Eclipta leaf 
Acorus 
salvia root

Dan Shen Tablets (Salvia Root Tablets)

This formula relieves pain in the heart due to blood stagnation and stimulates circulation in the coronary blood vessels. It is an effective remedy for angina pectoris, heart palpitations, pain running down left arm, and chest pains. Also reduces blood cholesterol and lipids and hence reduces the risk for stroke.

Main ingredients

Salvia root
borneol crystal

See Also:

Herbal Medicine for Stroke

Acupressure for Stroke

Acupuncture for Stroke

Caution: These remedies are not meant to be used as a treatment for stroke. If you suspect a stroke, seek emergency medical treatment immediately. Time is of essence.

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