High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) (Liver-Jue) Headache

Treatment according to different syndromes:

The main cause is the purging and uplifting of liver-fire. Therefore, principal treatment doctrine is to calm the liver and subdue hyperactivity of liver-fire. The other two side syndromes are qi stagnancy that causes constipation and deficiency in the lower part but excess in the upper part (Hyperactivity of Liver and Deficiency of Yin) that causes brain to be stuffed of blood.

There are, therefore, three different syndromes involved. They are:

1.      Hyperactivity of Liver-yang

2.      Hyperactivity of Liver-fire and Constipation of Qi Stagnancy

3.      Hyperactivity of Liver and Deficiency of Yin

Type 1: Hyperactivity of Liver-yang

Clinical manifestations/Indications: Headache due to hypertension, vertigo, pounding pain, ill temper, swollen and flushed eyes, bitter taste, red tongue. Or even loss of sensation of limbs, dry mouth, and coma.

Recipe 1: Modified Decoction of Gastrodia and Uncaria.

Therapeutic Principle: Calming liver and subduing liver-yang.

Main Ingredients: Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis, Flos Chysanthemi, Radix Scutellariae, Concha Haliotidis.

The formula tranquilizes the mind, relieves spasm, dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. It is also fever allaying, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Recipe 2 (For more severe cases): Modified Tranquilizing Liver-wind Decoction

Therapeutic Principle: Tranquilizing liver, calming endogenous wind and subduing liver-yang.

Main Ingredients: Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, Ramulus Loranthis, Ochra Haematitum, Plastrum Testudinis, Fructus Meliae Toosendan, Os Draconis Fossilia Ossis Mastodi.

The formula has been proven to be effective of inhibiting excitation process of the brain and reducing its congestion.

Type 2: Hyperactivity of Liver-fire and Constipation of Qi Stagnancy

Clinical manifestations/Indications: Headache due to hypertension, with constipation. Distending pain, flushed face, bitter taste and dryness in mouth, yellow urine.

Therapeutic Principle: Calming liver and Purging liver-fire.

Recipe: (Liver-fire Expelling Pill)*

Main Ingredients: Radix Ledebouriellae, Radix Gentianae, Fructus Gardeniae, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Radix Cyathulae.

The formula uses the method of purgation to reduce blood pressure.

Cautions: Most herbs used are cold and bitter in nature. Prolonged administration may harm yin. Patients with deficiency of yin are not suitable to take this recipe.

Type 3: Hyperactivity of Liver and Deficiency of Yin

Clinical manifestations/Indications: Headache due to cerebral blood stagnancy.

Therapeutic Principle: Nourishing kidney-fluid, calming hyperactivity of liver and tranquilizing the mind.

Recipe: (Decoction of Tumbling Vase)*

Main Ingredients: Radix Rehmanniae, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Os Draconis Fossilia, Concha Ostreae.

The formula nourishes nerves, has the effect of tranquilizing and blood pressure reducing.