Although this is one possible approach to preventive medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine tends to take a different view. In TCM, high cholesterol generally falls under the broad disease category known as “Phlegm” and is considered to be a type of toxin buildup in the body. This is usually a result of a poorly functioning digestive system along with improper diet.

Some of the most common foods that increase Phlegm include highly processed items such as white flour and refined sugar, along with animal products in general, and eggs and dairy in particular.

It is interesting to note that in people with allergies, these common trigger foods will often create “visible phlegm” that collects in the respiratory system and manifests as nasal congestion or even coughing up of phlegm and mucous. However, in the case of high cholesterol, TCM views this as a form of “invisible phlegm” which becomes trapped in the body and collects inside the blood vessels.

By minimizing these types of Phlegm-producing foods in our diet, significant changes can often be seen in cholesterol levels. In addition, by taking steps to strengthen the digestive system, further improvements to our health can be made.

Its opposite condition is known as “Blood Stagnation” (or “Blood Stasis”) and is a concept unique to Traditional Oriental Medicine with no direct equivalent in Western Medicine. Blood Stagnation can be thought of as Blood that is no longer able to function as Blood. It is not circulating properly within the body and instead will actually create problems and disease.

One simple example of this would be the case of trauma suffered from a sports injury. The purple discoloration from the bruising that occurs is blood that has leaked out from the blood vessels, and is no longer available for use by the body.

Blood Stagnation is commonly associated with an extremely wide range of symptoms, including:

• heart problems such as arteriosclerosis & hypertension
• pressure sensation in the chest
• shoulder & upper/mid back stiffness
• dry mouth
• rough & dry skin
• liver disease such as hepatitis
• chronic constipation
• sciatica & lower back pain
• varicose veins
• cold sensation in the body, especially the lower back, legs, & feet, sometimes accompanied by heat sensation in the upper part of the body & face

Many gynecological health problems are also often seen in cases of Blood Stasis, including:

• irregular menstrual periods
• painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
• ovarian cysts
• uterine fibroids
• infertility or miscarriage
• other hormone imbalances

Besides the various symptoms that usually accompany Blood Stagnation, other methods are also used to confirm the diagnosis. For example, when examining the abdomen during acupuncture treatment, oftentimes there will be tenderness to the touch, especially either under the ribcage area or in the lower abdomen.

There are many combinations of factors that can lead to Blood Stasis, including infections, trauma & accidents, chronic Liver problems, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Some people also tend to have an hereditary predisposition which leaves them more susceptible towards this condition.

Finally, emotional disturbances, especially repressed anger, is another common contributing issue that needs to be considered when treating Blood Stagnation.

Tips for Reducing Blood Stagnation

1. Take care of your injuries – Bumps, bruises, sprains, fractures, surgeries – these are all forms of trauma to the body. However, Blood Stasis can take many years to develop before manifesting as health problems, so it’s important not to neglect or inadequately treat injuries at the time they occur.
2. Moxibustion – a form of heat therapy using the burning leaf of the Mugwort plant, moxa is often recommended for home treatment and when used on certain acupuncture points, has a regulating effect on the body’s Blood circulation. In the case of trauma & injuries, it can be used to facilitate the healing process and helps to prevent Blood Stasis from developing in the injured areas.
3. Relax the back – in acupuncture & shiatsu, the area between the shoulder blades contains vital points that correspond to the Heart and Liver systems, two of the most important organs involved with regulating Blood circulation. This region, especially in situations of Blood Stagnation caused by emotional stress, tends to become tight and constricted if left untreated. As the area becomes more relaxed, accompanying symptoms will often improve as well.

Eastern Medicine also places great emphasis on the Heart system and in fact describes it as being like the Emperor of the body – all of the other organ systems are there to work for and support the health of the Heart, as without healthy blood and energy circulation disease soon follows.

The Heart is vitally important in Traditional Oriental Medicine, not only for proper circulation but also for mental and emotional well-being. The Spirit, or Shen as it’s known in Chinese, is regarded as literally residing inside the physical heart.

Many everyday expressions in the English language also demonstrate this close connection between the Heart and Spirit:

• to express heart-felt appreciation for something
• to have a heart-to-heart talk with a friend
• to have your heart set on something
• to love someone with all of your heart
• to die of a broken heart

All of these expressions convey a deep sense of meaning that reaches into the inner core of a person.

The Heart system is also often traditionally described as being like Fire – just like the Sun provides warmth and energy for life here on Earth, the Heart also gives warmth and energy to the body to support life.

However, Fire can sometimes get out of control and when it does, things tend to overheat. The same thing can also happen in the body. When the Heart system becomes diseased and out of balance, it can “overheat” – resulting in physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

This Heat can also affect the mental aspect of the Heart and cause a disturbance of the Shen, or Spirit. In mild cases, this may cause problems including insomnia or vivid dreams that disturb the sleep. In more severe cases, it may manifest as mental illness, such as schizophrenia or the manic phase associated with bipolar disorder.

With such a wide range and important effect on the overall mental and physical health of a person, the Heart system truly is the Emperor of the body, and we should do everything we can to ensure its good health.

Some conditions often related to the Heart

• angina
• heart attack
• hypertension
• tachycardia
• arrhythmia
• palpitations
• anxiety
• insomnia
• agitation
• mental illness

Tips for keeping the Heart healthy

1. Calm your mind – various contemplative practices, including deep breathing exercises and meditation, can help to calm the Spirit. Modern society tends to bombard us with information and sensory overload from the outside, while on the inside, our own minds race with incessant chatter that never seems to stop. Taking just a few minutes every day to allow the mind to quietly settle down can have a positive effect on your overall health.
2. Work on your upper back – the back, especially the area starting at the top of the shoulders and extending down between the shoulder blades, is an extremely important region of the body in Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are vital acupuncture points here that connect directly with the Heart and affect the blood and energy circulation to the rest of the body. People suffering from heart problems almost always have rigid and inflexible upper backs and should work on relaxing and improving their flexibility.