Maintaining a Healthy Heart
In honor of American Heart Month in February, let’s talk about staying heart-healthy.
The Heart in Chinese Medicine
In Chinese medicine, the heart is enclosed by the pericardium and has a few main functions. It governs the blood vessels, stores the spirit (i.e. regulates our emotions so we can think clearly and feel calm), and opens to the tongue. The heart also has a close connection with the small intestine, woman’s reproductive system, and is one of the five “yin” organs – including the lung, kidney, spleen and liver – which are responsible for the body fluids, qi and blood. When the heart qi and blood are full, the heartbeat is regular, pulse is moderate, and the complexion is healthy.
In short: When you take good care of your heart, the body is in good health.
How to Stay Heart-Healthy
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Western medicine, and major risk factors include inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, poor sleep and stress.
Let’s look at how we can improve our health in each area, according to Chinese medicine.
Inactivity: Move your energy with traditional exercise or try Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or yoga. All three forms of movement provide a way to move your heart energy and keep your body healthy. They also have a deep affect on the mind, helping to balance emotions and keep calm.
Unhealthy diet: Nourish your heart by eating red foods (the color associated with the heart) that nourish the yang and fire energy of the body, such cherries, kidney beans, apples, strawberries, beef, apples or tomatoes.
Quit smoking: If you’re trying to quit smoking, rely on friends and families, and contact a doctor or acupuncturist for support to help you through the process. There are herbs and acupuncture protocols that address addiction.
Poor sleep: Try to exercise so that you’re tired at night, or try meditation. There are several different types of meditation so you can find ones that work for you. It’s also important to minimize use of electronics before bed. Contact a medical provider or acupuncturist to support your particular sleep problem.
Stress: Practice deep breathing, meditation, Tai Chi, exercise, drink calming tea to calm the mind. Contact a therapist or acupuncturist for some remedies to help metabolize stress and keep your heart healthy.
For more questions regarding heart health, get in touch!