04 The Cold-Evil as the Cause of High Blood Pressure

Dr. Guo Yaning had a 63-year-old female patient with mildly high blood pressure for several years, with readings around 150/100 mmHg. She only took medication occasionally when feeling dizzy. Her condition remained stable for five or six years, but catching a cold would spike her blood pressure, causing significant stress.

This suggests that high blood pressure, often attributed to the hyperactivity of liver-yang, may actually be aggravated by cold-evil. Traditional herbal medicine typically treats high blood pressure with methods to nourish yin and reduce fire, such as Luo-bu-ma tea and Niu-huang antihypertensive tablets. However, this approach may be a misunderstanding, as the patient’s condition worsened with cold exposure, indicating a link to cold-evil.

05 Conventional Methods Will Not Work

Long-term use of antihypertensive drugs does not cure the disease, as they only nourish yin and reduce fire, failing to address the root cause. High blood pressure is often linked to blood viscosity from high-calorie, high-fat diets. However, not everyone eating the same diet develops hypertension, suggesting other factors like cellular fat decomposition ability and mitochondrial health.

Current treatments focus on dilating blood vessels, temporarily relieving pressure but potentially damaging vital yuanqi. This approach is akin to widening a polluted river without removing the garbage. Cold medicines stimulate endothelial cells to dilate blood vessels, but this can trigger the body’s self-protection mechanism, leading to the secretion of endothelin, which constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure again, creating a vicious cycle.

Over time, this cycle depletes vital yuanqi, weakening the body and potentially leading to severe outcomes like ruptured blood vessels, cerebral hemorrhage, or myocardial infarction. Protecting vital yuanqi is crucial for comprehensive revitalization and restoring health.

06 Brief Summary

Traditional herbal medicine aims to revitalize the whole body for overall health, not just treat individual diseases.

Health is indicated by enjoying food, sleeping well, smooth excretion, and overall energy.

Revitalization should prioritize stability over speed, addressing the root cause to balance body functions.

In the case of high blood pressure, recognizing the role of cold-evil is essential, as conventional methods have proven ineffective.

07 What’s Next?

In our next issue, we will continue discussing how to revitalize chronic diseases.

If you want to be notified of new postings, give us your email below.

If you need help in your practice of embracing the power of herbal medicine to revitalize your health with a high blood pressure condition, go to the SUPPORT section.