High Cholesterol in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), high cholesterol is not viewed as a disease itself, but as a manifestation of underlying imbalances involving Dampness, Phlegm, Heat, Liver dysfunction, or deficiencies of the Spleen and Kidneys. Treatment focuses on restoring healthy transformation and transportation of fluids, resolving Phlegm accumulation, and supporting the body's natural balance.

Pattern Key Symptoms Treatment Principle Traditional Formula Food Therapy
Dampness-Heat Overweight, edema, poor appetite, heaviness, yellow urine, thirst Clear Heat and remove Dampness Xiao Zhi Tang Job's tears, adzuki beans, celery, mung beans, bamboo shoots
Spleen-Phlegm Watery sputum, fatigue, fullness after eating, poor appetite, overweight Strengthen the Spleen, transform Phlegm, resolve Dampness Jia Wei Er Chen Tang Pear, asparagus, ginger, mustard seed, dates
Stomach Heat Bad breath, excessive hunger, gum swelling, thirst for cold drinks, constipation Clear internal Heat and promote bowel movements Da Cheng Qi Tang Banana, cucumber, black fungus, spinach, bitter endive
Liver Fire Irritability, headaches, dizziness, red eyes, chest discomfort Clear Liver Heat and subdue Fire Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Celery, shepherd's purse, rye, black fungus, chestnuts
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency Fatigue, edema, cold hands and feet, diarrhea, low appetite Warm and strengthen Spleen and Kidney Yang Qing Zhi Tang Walnuts, mutton, shrimp, fennel, chestnuts
Qi and Blood Deficiency with Stasis Arteriosclerosis, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, numbness Regulate Qi, activate Blood, support circulation Guan Xin Er Hao Fang White fungus, asparagus, grapes, chestnuts, yam

Dampness-Heat

Common Signs

  • Overweight with poor appetite

  • Edema

  • Abdominal fullness

  • Yellow or scant urine

  • Thirst

  • Heaviness in the body

  • Joint discomfort with swelling

  • Fatigue

Treatment Principle

Clear Heat and remove Dampness.

Traditional Formula

Xiao Zhi Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Job's tears

  • Adzuki beans

  • Celery

  • Bamboo shoots

  • Mung beans

  • Hyacinth beans

  • Soybean sprouts

  • Cucumber

  • Spinach

  • Purslane

Spleen-Phlegm

Common Signs

  • Watery sputum

  • Fatigue

  • Poor appetite

  • Feeling full after eating small amounts

  • Overweight

  • Excess saliva

  • Weak limbs

Treatment Principle

Strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Stomach, transform Phlegm, and resolve Dampness.

Traditional Formula

Jia Wei Er Chen Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Bamboo shoots

  • Crown daisy

  • Pear

  • Asparagus

  • Fresh ginger

  • Dates

  • Mustard seed

  • Black pepper

  • White pepper

Stomach Heat

Common Signs

  • Bad breath

  • Excessive hunger

  • Swollen gums

  • Thirst for cold drinks

  • Stomach discomfort

  • Constipation

  • Nosebleeds

  • Gum bleeding

Treatment Principle

Clear internal Heat and promote bowel movements.

Traditional Formula

Da Cheng Qi Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Banana

  • Cucumber

  • Spinach

  • Black fungus

  • Bitter endive

  • Strawberry

  • Lily flower

  • Licorice

Liver Fire

Common Signs

  • Irritability

  • Easily angered

  • Severe headaches

  • Dizziness

  • Red eyes

  • Bitter taste in the mouth

  • Chest or upper abdominal discomfort

  • Sleep disturbances

Treatment Principle

Clear Liver Heat and subdue Fire.

Traditional Formula

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Celery

  • Shepherd's purse

  • Rye

  • Black fungus

  • Chestnuts

  • Spinach

  • Asparagus

  • White fungus

Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Fatigue

  • Edema

  • Cold hands and feet

  • Frequent urination

  • Low appetite

  • Loose stools

  • Low back weakness

  • Weak limbs

Treatment Principle

Warm and strengthen Spleen and Kidney Yang.

Traditional Formula

Qing Zhi Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • Walnuts

  • Chestnuts

  • Mutton

  • Shrimp

  • Lobster

  • Fennel

  • Nutmeg

  • Raspberry

  • Sword bean

Qi and Blood Deficiency with Blood Stasis

Common Signs

  • Arteriosclerosis

  • Chest discomfort

  • Fatigue

  • Dizziness

  • Palpitations

  • Numbness

  • Pale complexion

  • Ringing in the ears

Treatment Principle

Regulate Qi, activate Blood, and support healthy circulation.

Traditional Formula

Guan Xin Er Hao Fang

Traditional Food Therapy

  • White fungus

  • Asparagus

  • Grapes

  • Chestnuts

  • Yam

  • Longan

  • Mandarin fish

  • Royal jelly

  • Carrots

Traditional Dietary Approaches

Traditional dietary recommendations for elevated cholesterol patterns often emphasize:

  • Reducing greasy and heavily processed foods

  • Increasing vegetables and legumes

  • Supporting healthy digestion and fluid metabolism

  • Encouraging foods that help resolve Dampness and Phlegm

  • Choosing warm, cooked meals when digestive weakness is present

Related Formulas

  • Xiao Zhi Tang

  • Jia Wei Er Chen Tang

  • Da Cheng Qi Tang

  • Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

  • Qing Zhi Tang

  • Guan Xin Er Hao Fang

Important Note

High cholesterol is a major cardiovascular risk factor and should be evaluated and monitored by a qualified healthcare professional. Traditional Chinese Medicine may be used as part of a comprehensive wellness approach but should not replace appropriate medical assessment, laboratory monitoring, or prescribed treatment.