Chronic Heart Failure — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

A traditional Chinese medicine perspective on Chronic Heart Failure, combining dietary therapy with syndrome differentiation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

In TCM, this condition is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:

Qi Deficiency with Blood Stasis

Treatment principle: Supplement the Heart and Lung, Activate Blood and Resolve Stasis

Formula: Baoyuan Tang (Preserve the Origin Decoction) — from *Bo Ai Xin Jian*; Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (Blood Mansion Stasis-Expelling Decoction) — from *Corrections of Errors in Medical Classics*

Deficiency of Both Qi and Yin

Treatment principle: Boost Qi and Nourish Yin, Activate Blood and Resolve Stasis

Formula: Shengmai San (Pulse-Engendering Powder) — from *Origins of Medicine*; Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (Blood Mansion Stasis-Expelling Decoction) — from *Corrections of Errors in Medical Classics*

Yang Deficiency with Water Flooding

Treatment principle: Boost Qi and Warm Yang, Resolve Stasis and Promote Diuresis

Formula: Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*; Tingli Dazao Xiefei Tang (Lepidium and Jujube Decoction to Drain the Lungs) — from *Synopsis of the Golden Chamber*

Critical Dyspnea-Collapse Syndrome

Treatment principle: Restore Yang and Secure Collapse

Formula: Shenfu Longgu Muli Tang (Ginseng, Aconite, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction)

Wind-Cold Invading the Lung

Treatment principle: Diffuse the Lung and Dispel Cold

Formula: Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*; Huagai San (Ornamental Canopy Powder) — from *Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies*

Exterior Cold with Lung Heat

Treatment principle: Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior, Resolve Phlegm and Calm Panting

Formula: Maxing Shigan Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*

Phlegm-Heat Stagnating in the Lung

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Resolve Phlegm, Diffuse the Lung and Calm Panting

Formula: Sangbaipi Tang (Mulberry Bark Decoction) — from *Jingyue's Complete Works*

Phlegm-Turbidity Obstructing the Lung

Treatment principle: Dispel Phlegm and Descend Counterflow, Diffuse the Lung and Calm Panting

Formula: Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) — from *Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies*; Sanzi Yangqin Tang (Three-Seed Filial Devotion Decoction) — from *Han Shi Yi Tong*

Liver Qi Invading the Lung

Treatment principle: Resolve Depression and Descend Qi to Calm Panting

Formula: Wumo Yinzi (Five Milled-Herb Drink) — from *Investigations of Medical Formulas*

Water Attacking the Heart and Lung

Treatment principle: Warm Yang and Promote Diuresis, Drain the Lung and Calm Panting

Lung Deficiency Syndrome

Treatment principle: Supplement the Lung and Boost Qi

Formula: Shengmai San (Pulse-Engendering Powder) — from *Origins of Medicine*; Bufei Tang (Tonify the Lung Decoction) — from *Yong Lei Qian Fang*

Kidney Deficiency Syndrome

Treatment principle: Supplement the Kidney and Grasp Qi

Formula: Jingui Shenqi Wan (Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi Pill) — from *Synopsis of the Golden Chamber*; Shenge San (Ginseng and Gecko Powder) — from *Formulas to Aid the Living*

Dyspnea-Collapse Syndrome

Treatment principle: Support Yang and Secure Collapse, Subdue and Astringe Kidney Qi

Formula: Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction)

Wind and Water Contending

Treatment principle: Dispel Wind and Clear Heat, Diffuse the Lung and Move Water

Formula:

Damp Toxin Spreading

Treatment principle: Diffuse the Lung and Resolve Toxin, Drain Damp and Reduce Swelling

Formula: Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang (Ephedra, Forsythia and Rice Bean Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*; Wuwei Xiaodu Yin (Five-Ingredient Toxin-Dispersing Drink) — from *Golden Mirror of Medicine*

Water-Damp Soaking

Treatment principle: Activate the Spleen and Transform Damp, Unblock Yang and Promote Diuresis

Formula: Wupi Yin (Five-Peel Drink) — from *Master Hua's Classic of the Central Viscera*; Weiling Tang (Calming the Stomach Poria Decoction) — from *Teachings of Master Danxi*

Exuberance of Damp-Heat

Treatment principle: Separate and Drain Damp-Heat

Formula: Shuzao Yinzi (Open the Waterways Drink) — from *Formulas to Aid the Living*

Decline of Spleen Yang

Treatment principle: Fortify the Spleen, Warm Yang, and Promote Diuresis

Formula: Shipi Yin (Fortify the Spleen Drink) — from *Chong Ding Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang*

Decline of Kidney Yang

Treatment principle: Warm the Kidney and Assist Yang, Transform Qi and Move Water

Formula: Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*

Blood Stasis and Water Intermingling

Treatment principle: Activate Blood and Dispel Stasis, Transform Qi and Move Water

Formula: Taohong Siwu Tang (Peach Kernel and Carthamus Four-Substance Decoction) — from *Golden Mirror of Medicine*; Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Powder) — from *Treatise on Cold Damage*

These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Food Therapy & Diet

Dietary Therapy Recipes

Astragalus Chicken Soup: Stew 15g astragalus with 200g chicken in water into soup; eat the meat and drink the soup. Replenishes qi and strengthens the body.
Coix and Poria Congee: Cook 30g coix seeds, 15g poria and an appropriate amount of polished rice into congee. Fortifies the spleen, dispels dampness, promotes urination and reduces swelling.
Yam and Millet Congee: Cook 30g Chinese yam and 50g millet into congee. Nourishes the stomach and fortifies the spleen.
American Ginseng and Lean Pork Soup: Stew 10g American ginseng, 100g lean pork, 2 slices of fresh ginger and 2 jujubes in water for 2 hours. Replenishes qi and nourishes yin.
Winter Melon and Lean Pork Soup: Cook 200g winter melon with a little lean pork into soup; clears heat, promotes urination and relieves edema.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.