Palpitations

Palpitations

Commonly known as heart palpitations. The heart is a fire organ; without blood to nourish it, the fire becomes agitated, leading to palpitations. Anshen Wan can calm the mind, while Guipi Tang with Maidong and Wuweizi can replenish the heart. Anyone who overthinks or loses too much blood is prone to this deficiency; otherwise, it is often accompanied by phlegm and blood stasis, requiring careful differentiation.

If there is phlegm in the heart, it enters the heart and obstructs the heart qi, causing irregular heartbeat. In such cases, Zhi Mi Fuling Wan with Yuanzhi, Changpu, Huanglian, Chuanbeimu, Zaoren, and Danggui can be used for treatment, along with Zhusha Anshen Wan with Longgu, Yuanzhi, Jinbo, Niuhuang, and Musk for calming the mind.

Additionally, when stomach fire is overly strong⁽¹⁾ and surges upward to affect the heart, causing it to beat like a wall, with audible sounds and resistance when pressed, this indicates that there is dynamic qi in the heart. The appropriate treatment is to vigorously clear the fire in the heart and stomach, so that when the fire subsides, the qi also calms down. Xie Xin Tang is the primary treatment, or Yuniujian with Zhike, Houpu, Daizhe Shi, and Xuanfuhua can be used to reduce the fire, followed by Yu Jin and E Zhu to attack the root cause, aiming to balance blood, qi, and fire, thereby eliminating the excessive strength.

[Note] (1) Qiang Liang: Means overbearing or aggressive.

[Commentary] Palpitations refer to heartbeats. When heart fire is agitated, Anshen Wan can calm the mind; when blood does not nourish the heart, Guipi Tang can replenish it; when phlegm obstructs the heart qi, Zhi Mi Fuling Wan can be used for treatment; and when stomach fire surges upward, Xie Xin Tang and Yuniujian are appropriate.