Stroke — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

Cerebrovascular accident is an acute or subacute brain injury caused by a sudden disturbance of local cerebral blood circulation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

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

Stroke (Involving the Channels and Collaterals)·Wind-Yang Disturbing the Upper

Treatment principle: Clear the Liver and Purge Fire, Extinguish Wind and Subdue Yang

Formula: Tianma Gouteng Yin (Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction) — from *Zhong Yi Nei Ke Za Bing Zheng Zhi Xin Yi*

Stroke (Involving the Channels and Collaterals)·Wind-Phlegm Obstructing the Collaterals

Treatment principle: Extinguish Wind and Resolve Phlegm, Activate Blood and Free the Collaterals

Formula: Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang (Pinellia, Atractylodes Macrocephala and Gastrodia Decoction) — from *Yi Xue Xin Wu*

Stroke (Involving the Channels and Collaterals)·Phlegm-Heat with Bowel Excess

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Resolve Phlegm, Unblock the Bowels and Discharge Turbidity

Formula: Xinglou Chengqi Tang (Arisaema and Trichosanthes Order-the-Qi Decoction)

Stroke (Involving the Channels and Collaterals)·Qi Deficiency with Blood Stasis

Treatment principle: Boost Qi and Support the Healthy, Activate Blood and Resolve Stasis

Formula: Buyang Huanwu Tang (Yang-Supplementing and Five-Returning Decoction)

Stroke (Involving the Channels and Collaterals)·Yin Deficiency with Wind Stirring

Treatment principle: Nourish the Liver and Kidney, Subdue Yang and Extinguish Wind

Formula: Zhengan Xifeng Tang (Sedate the Liver and Extinguish Wind Decoction) — from *Records of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Combination*

Stroke (Involving the Viscera)·Yang Block

Treatment principle: Clear Heat and Resolve Phlegm, Open the Orifices and Awaken the Spirit

Formula: Lingyangjiao Tang (Antelope Horn Decoction); Angong Niuhuang Wan (Peaceful Palace Bovine Bezoar Pill) — from *Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases*

Stroke (Involving the Viscera)·Yin Block

Treatment principle: Warm Yang and Resolve Phlegm, Open the Orifices and Awaken the Spirit

Formula: Ditan Tang (Scour Phlegm Decoction) — from *Qi Xiao Liang Fang*

Stroke (Involving the Viscera)·Collapse Syndrome

Treatment principle: Restore Yang and Secure Collapse

Formula: Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction) — from *Formulas to Aid the Living*

Liver Yang Rising

Treatment principle: Calm the Liver and Subdue Yang, Clear Fire and Extinguish Wind

Formula: Tianma Gouteng Yin (Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction) — from *Zhong Yi Nei Ke Za Bing Zheng Zhi Xin Yi*

Phlegm-Damp Obstructing the Middle

Treatment principle: Resolve Phlegm and Dispel Damp, Fortify the Spleen and Harmonize the Stomach

Formula: Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang (Pinellia, Atractylodes Macrocephala and Gastrodia Decoction) — from *Yi Xue Xin Wu*

Blood Stasis Obstructing the Orifices

Treatment principle: Dispel Stasis and Generate the New, Activate Blood and Open the Orifices

Formula: Tongqiao Huoxue Tang (Orifice-Opening Blood-Invigorating Decoction) — from *Corrections of Errors in Medical Classics*

Deficiency of Qi and Blood

Treatment principle: Supplement Qi and Blood, Regulate and Nourish the Heart and Spleen

Formula: Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) — from *Formulas to Aid the Living*

Kidney Essence Insufficiency·Yin Deficiency

Treatment principle: Nourish the Liver and Kidney, Replenish Essence and Supplement Marrow

Formula: Zuogui Wan (Left-Restoring Kidney Yin Pill) — from *Jingyue's Complete Works*

Kidney Essence Insufficiency·Yang Deficiency

Treatment principle: Nourish the Liver and Kidney, Replenish Essence and Supplement Marrow

Formula: Zuogui Wan (Left-Restoring Kidney Yin Pill) — from *Jingyue's Complete Works*

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 and snake soup: astragalus 50g, snake (live) 200g, angelica (danggui) 9g, Chinese dates 6 pieces; fry 3 slices of ginger in oil, then put everything in a clay pot, simmer on low heat for 2 hours and season. Suitable for hemiplegia with swelling and numbness of the affected limb.
Chicken, notoginseng and ginseng soup: chicken 90g, notoginseng (tianqi) 10g (crushed), red ginseng 10g, astragalus 30g, simmer on low heat for 2 hours and season.
Rehmannia and turtle soup: 1 turtle, dried rehmannia (dihuang) 30g, goji berries 20g, gentiana (qinjiao) 15g, simmer on low heat for 2 hours and season.
Gastrodia and abalone soup: gastrodia (tianma) 24g, goji berries 30g, fresh abalone 250g, 1 slice of ginger, simmer on low heat for 1 hour and season; extinguishes wind and subdues yang.
Chrysanthemum porridge: 15g dried chrysanthemum petals ground into powder, cook 50g rice into porridge; when nearly done add the chrysanthemum powder and cook briefly; clears liver fire and lowers blood pressure.

Understanding the Condition

Cerebrovascular accident is an acute or subacute brain injury caused by a sudden disturbance of local cerebral blood circulation; in TCM it is called stroke (zhongfeng). It is divided into ischemic and hemorrhagic types: the former includes transient ischemic attack, arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction, cerebral thrombosis, and cerebral embolism; the latter includes hypertensive arteriosclerotic cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The most common clinical manifestations are sudden disturbance of consciousness and limb paralysis; the mortality rate is quite high, and most survivors are left with varying degrees of sequelae. Cerebrovascular accident is a common and frequently occurring disease of middle-aged and older adults; arteriosclerotic cerebral infarction mostly occurs in people over 60, especially those with hypertension or atherosclerosis, while hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage occurs mostly in hypertensive patients around age 50. Cerebrovascular accident is one of the most dangerous threats to health and longevity, and in China it causes more deaths than cardiovascular disease and cancer, ranking first among fatal diseases. Preventing its onset is therefore an important part of health care for older adults, and in this respect dietary regulation plays a very important role.

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.