What does it do?
Each year in the USA, over 1 million people have heart attacks (myocardial infarction), and half of them die; 800,000 people have
stroke (brain attacks). Both heart attack and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide.
Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is blocked by blood clots formed in the inside wall of its
coronary arteries which feed the heart with blood and oxygen. Stroke is caused
by either the loss of blood supply to the brain due to blood clots in the blood vessels or bleeding in the brain.
Clearly, keeping a healthy cardiovascular system is of vital importance. One needs to keep a normal level
of blood cholesterols and lipids to minimize the build up of plaques (clots) and to lower blood viscosity
for a smooth blood flow; one needs to keep a normal level of blood pressure to minimize the risks of most
cardiovascular diseases. No wonder the drugs for reducing cholesterol like lipitor, for thinning the blood like
plavix, and for lowering blood pressure are the mostly demanded medicines.
Accumulation of plaques or clots in blood vessels is referred as blood stasis or blood stagnation in traditional
Chinese medicine (TCM). Many Chinese herbs are well known to disperse blood stasis and activate blood.
They are widely used in China to deal with diseases related to the cardiovascular system such as
coronary heart disease (CHD, or coronary artery disease, CAD), atherosclerosis, angina, chest pain, numbness of the extremities, vertigo,
stroke etc. In biomedical studies, these Chinese herbs are shown to increase blood flow, inhibit platelet
aggregation, and reduce blood pressure.†
VessowellTM is a Guang Ci Tang
signature Chinese herbal formula for promoting cardiovascular health.† It also activates the meridian channels.†
The Chinese medicine is a properietary combination of the following Chinese herbs.
Dan Shen (Salvia root) is perhaps the best known and the most commonly used Chinese herb
for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.† Extensive biomedical studies on Danshen
suggest that it improves microcirculation, dilates coronary arteries, inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombosis,
and protects against myocardial ischemia and stroke.1,2 A Dan Shen preparation was recently
reported to have successfully passed a phase II clinical trial for angina pectoris in USA.
Chuan Xiong is a key Chinese herb that invigorates Blood, moves Qi,
expels Wind, and relieves Pain. It acts similarly to Salvia root in increasing blood flow to coronary arteries,
reducing blood clots, lowering blood pressure, relieving chest pain associated with Qi and Blood Stasis.†
Huang Qi (Astragalus root) is a key Chinese herb that tonifies Qi and enhances the immune
function. It also benefits the cardiovascular system and is shown to dilate coronary arteries and
lower hypertension.†
Xia Ku Cao (Prunella) clears liver fire and dissolves mass. The Chinese herb is also shown to
decrease blood pressure.†
Niu Xi (Achyranthes root) both invigorates the blood to remove blood stasis and
nourishes the liver and the kidneys to strengthen bones and tendons. The Chinese herb also clears Wind and Dampness.
Gou Teng (Uncaria twig) clears heat and calms the Liver. The Chinese herb has a property of
reducing blood pressure.†
Yu Jin (Curcuma root) both activates blood and moves Qi to relieve chest pain due to Qi stagnation and
blood stasis.†
Tian Ma (Gastrodia root) calms Wind and clears the meridians. In modern biochemical studies,
Gastrodia extracts are shown to be analgesic, reduce hypertension; Remarkably, Gastrodin, a compound isolated from
gastrodia, are found to protect neurons in the brain from damages during cerebral ischemia
(loss of blood supply in the brain).3
Sang Ji Sheng (Mulberry twig) nourishes the liver and the kidneys and strengthens bones and tendons.
It is also beneficial to the cardiovascular system.
Bai Shao (White peony root) nourishes the blood, harmonizes the liver and relieves pain.
The Chinese herb dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow.†
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References
1. Adams JD, Wang R, Yang J, Lien EJ., Preclinical and clinical examinations of Salvia miltiorrhiza and its tanshinones in ischemic conditions.
Chin Med. 2006 Nov 23;1:3.
2. Cheng TO, Cardiovascular effects of Danshen. Int J Cardiol. 2007 Sep 14;121(1):9-22.
3. Zeng X. et al., A study of the neuroprotective effect of the phenolic glucoside gastrodin during cerebral ischemia in vivo and in vitro.
Planta Med. 2006 Dec;72(15):1359-65.
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