Discussion On The Application Of Homology Of Medicine And Food For Promoting Blood Circulation And Removing Stasis Ⅱ
Mar 17, 2025
2.3 Overview of Shengji Zonglu on the Use of Ginseng Decoction for Stroke Prevention and Treatment
The ancient medical text Shengji Zonglu (General Record of Holy Benevolence) [14] describes cardiac stroke as a condition caused by external wind pathogens invading the blood vessels. When these pathogens enter the Hand Shaoyin Meridian (Heart Meridian), symptoms may include excessive sweating, sensitivity to wind, anxiety, irritability, mental confusion, slurred speech, dry mouth, flushed face, headache, fever, chest and back stiffness, extreme heat in the palms, and difficulty turning over in bed.
According to the text, if wind pathogens persist, they accumulate within the body's vital energy circulation (Ying and Wei Qi), leading to prolonged internal damage. Shengji Zonglu recommends Ginseng Decoction (Renshen Yin) to treat symptoms such as:
Chest and back discomfort due to pathogenic wind entering the heart
Emotional distress, fearfulness, and sudden anxiety
Mild lower abdominal pain, alternating fever and chills, and a pale complexion
Weakness due to organ Qi deficiency and blood depletion
Herbal Cistanche Supplements For Weakness
The formula includes herbs with blood-activating and circulation-promoting properties, such as:
Angelica (Danggui)
Ligusticum (Chuanxiong)
Aconite (Fuzi)
Cinnamon (Guixin)
Red Peony (Chishao)
Dried Ginger (Ganjiang)
Modern Pharmacological Insights
Angelica (Danggui): Research indicates that Danggui-containing herbal preparations have a depressive effect on isolated animal hearts and hypotensive effects in anesthetized animals [15].
Ligusticum (Chuanxiong) & Safflower (Honghua): Studies suggest that a combination of Chuanxiong and Honghua can effectively treat angina pectoris. A tablet formulation (containing 15g of raw Chuanxiong and Honghua per 12 tablets) was administered at 4 tablets per dose, three times daily for 4–6 weeks, yielding positive results [16].
Aconite (Fuzi): Clinical studies show that Aconite decoctions (such as Heishun tablets) can improve heart failure symptoms, including reduced heart rate, improved breathing, decreased liver swelling, and reduced edema [17,18].
Red Peony (Chishao): Documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine Dictionaries [19,20], Red Peony is known to relax smooth muscles, dilate blood vessels, improve coronary circulation, and prevent arrhythmias.
Thus, Shengji Zonglu provides early insights into stroke prevention and cardiovascular treatment, which align with modern pharmacological research on herbal interventions for circulatory and cardiac conditions.
2.4 Overview of Laolao Hengyan on Dietary Treatment for Stroke
The medical text Laolao Hengyan (Elderly Health Guide) [21] cites Fengqin Yanglao Shu (Book on Elderly Care) in recommending Burdock Root Congee for treating stroke symptoms such as facial paralysis, speech difficulties, and emotional distress. The preparation involves:
Grinding dried burdock root into powder
Cooking it into a porridge
Adding scallions and Sichuan pepper
The text claims that this congee can expel pathogenic Qi, regulate the Five Organs, and unblock the Twelve Meridians. It also mentions that burdock root, harvested in the eleventh lunar month, can be pickled and consumed as a flavorful dish.
Modern Pharmacological Insights
Traditional Chinese Medicine Dictionaries [16] describe burdock root as an ingredient that can clear heat from the heart, alleviate restlessness, and calm the mind.
The text Shiyi Xinjing (New Mirror of Dietary Medicine) states that burdock root juice (1 liter, divided into three doses) can treat heat-related agitation, mental confusion, and restlessness.
These references suggest that burdock root may have neuroprotective and cardiovascular benefits, potentially supporting stroke recovery and emotional regulation.
2.5 Overview of Shoushi Quanzhen on Dietary Therapy for Stroke
The medical text Shoushi Quanzhen (Complete Authenticity in Longevity) [22] recommends pear juice for treating speech impairment following a stroke. Pears are recognized both as food and medicine, as documented in Mingyi Bie Lu (Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians).
Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective
Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces) states that pear juice can "eliminate external heat pathogens and relieve heart distress."
Bencao Qiuyuan (Origins of Materia Medica) [24] describes pear juice combined with Xia Tian Gao (a herbal preparation), bamboo sap, and human urine as a treatment for stroke-related phlegm-heat symptoms. Additionally, pear juice combined with bezoar (Niuhuang) can treat acute febrile seizures with excessive phlegm accumulation.
Diannan Bencao (Materia Medica of Yunnan) [25] notes that milk pears (a specific variety) are aromatic and can treat stroke symptoms.
Modern Pharmacological Insights
Bencao Qiuyuan explains that pears are cooling in nature, sweet in taste, and can moisten the lungs, clear heat, and resolve phlegm. They are traditionally used to treat stroke-induced aphasia (sudden speech loss), dizziness, dry eyes, hemiplegia, limb numbness, and movement disorders.
The text describes stroke-induced loss of speech as a result of Yang energy overpowering Yin energy, disrupting normal vocal function. Since pears ripen in autumn (associated with the metal element in TCM), they are believed to nourish Lung Yin and counteract excessive Liver Wind (Yang energy), thereby restoring speech ability.
Bencao Shu (Materia Medica Commentary) [26] states:
"When Yang energy overcomes Yin, it results in aphasia. Pears, being rich in metal energy, can restore true Yin and balance the body's Qi."
2.6 Overview of Shoushi Qingbian on Dietary Therapy for Stroke
The ancient medical text Shoushi Qingbian (Essential Compilation for Longevity) [27] discusses various dietary therapies for stroke recovery, particularly for hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body).
Lamb Fat Congee for Hemiplegia
According to Shoushi Qingbian, Lamb Fat Congee is an effective treatment for stroke-induced hemiplegia, where one side of the body loses voluntary movement. The medicinal congee consists of:
Lamb fat
Glutinous rice (Jingmi)
Scallions (Congbai)
Ginger (Shengjiang)
Pepper (Jiao)
Fermented soybeans (Chi)
Dosage: Consuming one serving daily for ten days is expected to yield visible improvements.
Lamb fat is documented in Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces) [23] as the fatty oil derived from goat or sheep, which is sweet in taste, warm in nature, and non-toxic. It is traditionally believed to tonify deficiency, moisten dryness, dispel wind pathogens, and detoxify the body.
Black-Bone Chicken Soup for Stroke Recovery
The text also describes Black-Bone Chicken Soup (Wuji Huo) as a remedy for stroke-related chest distress, speech difficulties, and limb heat sensations. The preparation includes:
Half a black-bone chicken (finely chopped)
A handful of scallions
After boiling, add sesame oil, salt, ginger, and pepper
Consume on an empty stomach
Epimedium Wine for Hemiplegia
Shoushi Qingbian also describes Epimedium Wine (Xianlingpi Jiu) as a treatment for stroke-induced hemiplegia, limb numbness, and weakness. The herbal wine is made by:
Soaking 500g of Epimedium (Yinyanghuo) in 360–600g of rice wine
Sealing for three days before consumption
This formula originates from Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), where Epimedium (also known as Xianlingpi) is noted for its pungent, sweet, and warm properties. It is classified under the Liver and Kidney meridians and is traditionally used to treat:
Kidney Yang deficiency (manifesting as impotence, frequent urination, and lower back weakness)
Wind-damp Bi syndrome (causing limb numbness and joint pain)
Menopausal hypertension [19]
Additionally, Taiping Shenghui Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Taiping Era) [28] states that wine-processed Epimedium enhances its warming and blood circulation effects. The text describes a preparation method where Epimedium is finely chopped, sealed in alcohol for three to five days, and consumed warm daily, ensuring mild intoxication but avoiding excessive drunkenness.
Purple Wine for Facial Paralysis and Speech Impairment
Shoushi Qingbian also mentions Purple Wine (Zi Jiu) as a treatment for stroke-induced facial paralysis and speech impairment, as well as:
Neck and back stiffness
Severe abdominal distension
Prominent abdominal veins
Mild to moderate limb swelling
Preparation:
One liter of chicken manure is roasted until charred and then added to wine
Once the wine turns purple, it is ready for consumption
Rehmannia for Stroke Treatment
The text also discusses Rehmannia Root (Sheng Dihuang) as a stroke treatment. Modern pharmacological research has investigated the effects of different types of Rehmannia (raw, dried, and processed) on thrombotic vascular syndromes.
Studies indicate that Chinese-produced Rehmannia strongly inhibits hemorrhagic liver necrosis and simple necrosis induced by endotoxins in rats [29].
Various Rehmannia extracts exhibit anti-thrombotic effects, and all forms except raw Rehmannia demonstrate anti-fibrinolytic activity.
Dietary Restrictions for Stroke Recovery
Shoushi Qingbian emphasizes avoiding specific foods post-stroke, advising against:
Pungent, aromatic, and excessively warming herbs
Pork, lamb, goose, fish, buckwheat, taro, and eggs
These foods are believed to aggravate Qi stagnation and worsen stroke symptoms.
3. Conclusion and Future Perspectives
Throughout history, prominent physicians have recognized "blood stasis" as the fundamental pathological mechanism behind cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including hypertension, cerebral infarction, and coronary heart disease [30]. Blood stasis is considered a major pathological basis and a key risk factor for these conditions.
As China gradually enters an aging society, increasing attention is being paid to the prevention and management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the elderly. The principle of "food and medicine sharing the same origin" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers safe, edible remedies that also serve therapeutic purposes, embodying the TCM concept of preventive healthcare.
This study reviewed 14 classical medical texts and identified various historical dietary therapies for heart and stroke-related conditions, including:
9 medicinal congees with blood-activating properties
12 types of medicinal fruits
2 types of animal-based ingredients
2 types of medicinal wines
3 herbal prescriptions
12 blood-activating medicinal herbs
These remedies primarily target stroke and cerebral infarction, with functions such as activating blood circulation and unblocking meridians.
Modern Pharmacological Validation
For some of these traditional remedies, modern pharmacological research has provided evidence for their efficacy in treating cardiovascular diseases, including:
Coronary heart disease
Hypertension
Cerebrovascular diseases
Future Research Directions
While these ancient dietary therapies provide a solid foundation for stroke prevention and treatment, further modern clinical studies are needed to determine their long-term safety and daily applicability.
