Chinese Medicine for Hypotension

In Chinese medicine, low blood pressure (hypotension) reflects weakness or imbalance in the body’s vital systems—especially the heart, spleen, kidneys, and yin–yang energy. It often appears with dizziness, fatigue, or palpitations. Each type of deficiency reveals a different internal cause and requires targeted treatment to restore balance and circulation.

Spleen–Kidney Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

  • Fatigue and weakness of the limbs

  • Diarrhea or difficulty urinating

  • Misty or blurred vision

  • Ringing in the ears or partial deafness

  • Shortness of breath

  • Forgetfulness and poor concentration

  • Palpitations or insomnia

  • Yellow or sallow complexion

Treatment Principle
Strengthen the spleen and kidneys, replenish vital energy, and stabilize circulation.

Herbal Formula: Shen-Huang-Gan-Qi-Tang

Helpful Foods: Chicken egg yolk, button mushroom, wheat bran, rice, beef, cherry, bird’s nest, coconut meat, tofu, mustard seed, sweet potato, red and black dates, rock sugar, apple cucumber, carrot, chestnut, Irish potato, abalone, asparagus, chicken egg, white fungus, black sesame seed, beef kidney, chicken liver, lobster, pork kidney, raspberry, scallop, sea cucumber, shrimp, string bean, walnut

Simultaneous Deficiency of Yin and Energy (Qi)

Common Signs

  • Dizziness and fatigue

  • Dry mouth and throat

  • Constipation and scanty stools

  • Weak or tired voice

  • Hot palms and soles

  • Light stomachache or abdominal swelling

  • Excessive sweating with exhaustion

  • Palpitations and poor appetite

  • Mild fever or sore throat

  • Frequent vomiting or thirst

Treatment Principle
Replenish both yin and energy, moisten dryness, and stabilize the circulation.

Herbal Formula: Sheng-Mai-San

Helpful Foods: Bird’s nest, cheese, kidney bean, abalone, asparagus, chicken egg, cuttlefish, duck, duck egg, white fungus, oyster, pork, royal jelly, grape, longan nut, maltose, mandarin fish, Irish potato, sweet rice, apple cucumber, bog bean, gold carp, carrot, chestnut, ham, horse bean, hyacinth bean, Job’s tears, string bean, whitefish, yam, red and black dates, mutton, squash, rock sugar

Heart–Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Cold hands, feet, and limbs

  • Cold sweats or clammy skin

  • Dizziness or “heavy head, light body” sensation

  • Palpitations or chest discomfort

  • Edema or swelling in the body

  • Frequent nighttime urination

  • Fatigue or shock-like weakness

  • Nervousness or anxiety

  • Orthostatic hypotension (dizziness when standing up)

Treatment Principle
Warm and strengthen heart and kidney yang, revive circulation, and stabilize blood flow.

Herbal Formula: Shen-Fu-Tang

Helpful Foods: Dried ginger, cinnamon, wheat, water spinach, kidney, star anise, red and black dates, lobster, sardine, shrimp, sparrow, clove, dill seed, fennel, pistachio, sparrow egg, crab apple, raspberry, walnut

Hypotension in Chinese medicine results from weak organ function and poor movement of vital energy and blood. Whether due to spleen–kidney deficiency, combined yin–energy depletion, or loss of yang strength, treatment aims to rebuild vitality and warmth, restore fluid balance, and reestablish steady circulation—bringing back strength, clarity, and stable energy.