Hypertension in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hypertension is not considered a single disease pattern. Instead, elevated blood pressure may arise from several underlying imbalances, most commonly involving Liver Fire, Liver Yang Rising, Yin Deficiency, or deficiencies affecting both Yin and Yang.

The goal of treatment is to address the root pattern while helping restore balance throughout the body.

Pattern Key Symptoms Treatment Principle Traditional Formula Food Therapy
Liver Fire Blood pressure rises with anger or stress, severe headache, red face, red eyes, bitter taste, irritability, dry mouth Clear Liver Fire and nourish Yin Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Celery, seaweed, kelp, mung beans, water chestnuts, jellyfish skin, shepherd's purse
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising Blood pressure rises with fatigue and stress, vertigo, insomnia, tinnitus, low back pain, numbness, vivid dreams Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin and subdue Liver Yang Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang Celery, black soybeans, white fungus, duck egg, oyster, asparagus
Simultaneous Yin and Yang Deficiency with Yang Floating Upward Vertigo, cold limbs, frequent nighttime urination, weakness, low back pain, tinnitus, insomnia, mild headache Tonify both Yin and Yang Shen Qi Wan Celery, red dates, white fungus, duck egg, oyster, royal jelly

Liver Fire

Common Signs

  • Blood pressure rises with anger or emotional stress

  • Severe headaches

  • Red face

  • Red eyes

  • Bitter taste in the mouth

  • Irritability

  • Dry mouth

  • Scant, dark urine

Treatment Principle

Clear Liver Fire and nourish Yin.

Traditional Formula

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

Foods traditionally used for this pattern include:

  • Celery

  • Seaweed

  • Kelp

  • Mung beans

  • Water chestnuts

  • Jellyfish skin

  • Shepherd's purse

  • Spinach

  • Black fungus

  • Rye

  • Vinegar

  • Asparagus

Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising

Common Signs

  • Blood pressure rises with fatigue or stress

  • Vertigo

  • Ringing in the ears

  • Insomnia

  • Low back pain

  • Numbness of the limbs

  • Vivid dreams

  • Irritability

  • Scant, reddish urine

Treatment Principle

Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin and subdue rising Liver Yang.

Traditional Formula

Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

Traditional Food Therapy

Foods traditionally associated with this pattern include:

  • Celery

  • Black soybeans

  • White fungus

  • Kidney beans

  • Duck

  • Duck eggs

  • Oysters

  • Asparagus

  • Chestnuts

  • Royal jelly

Simultaneous Yin and Yang Deficiency

Common Signs

  • Vertigo

  • Cold limbs

  • Weak legs

  • Frequent urination at night

  • Insomnia

  • Low back pain

  • Ringing in the ears

  • Heavy breathing with exertion

  • Mild headache

  • Slight facial redness

Treatment Principle

Tonify both Yin and Yang.

Traditional Formula

Shen Qi Wan

Traditional Food Therapy

Foods traditionally used for this pattern include:

  • Celery

  • Red dates

  • Chicken egg yolk

  • White fungus

  • Duck eggs

  • Oysters

  • Pork

  • Royal jelly

  • Kidney beans

Traditional Dietary Approaches

Classical texts often recommend foods that support fluid metabolism, calm excessive Liver activity, and nourish Yin.

Examples include:

  • Celery

  • Seaweed

  • Kelp

  • Mung beans

  • Water chestnuts

  • Black soybeans

  • White fungus

  • Asparagus

  • Oysters

  • Red dates

Related Formulas

  • Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

  • Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

  • Shen Qi Wan

Important Note

Hypertension is a serious medical condition associated with increased risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and other cardiovascular complications. Anyone with elevated blood pressure should work with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine may be used as part of a comprehensive healthcare plan but should not replace appropriate medical care.