Repeating from yesterday, to treat hypertension I want to sedate the liver. Following 5-element theory I do not work directly on the liver but instead use the creative and controlling element cycles. Liver is a wood organ.
To sedate the liver using the creative cycle I sedate the element supported by wood thus causing that organ to draw more energy away form the liver. Wood supports fire. Since liver is a yin organ I need to sedate the yin organ corresponding to the element of fire, i.e. the heart.
At the same time I should use the controlling sequence. To sedate the liver, a yin wood organ, I need to tonify the yin organ associated with the element that controls wood. This is the lungs.
In order for jiaogulan to be effective in managing high blood pressure, jiaogulan would ideally have the effect of sedating the heart and tonifying the lungs.
If we analyze the core functions of jiaogulan from a western allopathic point of view, one of the key effects of jiaogulan is to increase the body’s production of Nitric-oxide. This in turn dialates the blood vessels. Reducing the pressure in the blood vessels and reducing stress on the heart. So there is an argument for jiaogulan sedating the heart. Although the argument seems “bassackwards” to me. We have sedated the heart by reducing blood pressure rather than sedating the heart in order to reduce blood pressure.
Jiaogulan also increases the body’s production of a natural antioxidant called Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Since anti-oxidants are powerful immune system boosters one could suggest that the strengthened immune system has the effect of reducing stress on the lungs therefore tonifying the lungs. Again, the argument seems a little indirect to me but perhaps it is there.
So, using 5 element theory I can’t create a convincing argument for jiaogulan treating high blood pressure. The allopathic mechanism of increased Nitric Oxide seems more compelling and direct. However, I would be delighted to get opinions from TCM practitioners with more experience than I. Leave me a comment if you can.
See you next time.