Heart and Kidney Disharmony

Manifestation Characteristics

This pattern is characterized by signs of “false (deficiency) heat,” such as vexation, insomnia, heart palpitations, restlessness, dizziness, tinnitus, forgetfulness, heat in the five centers (palms, soles, and chest), and a dry mouth and throat with a red tongue.

There are also signs of Kidney deficiency, including soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, seminal emission in men, and vaginal discharge in women. This indicates a downward depletion of Kidney water (Yin) and a loss of Yin fluid nourishment, or it can be due to over-taxing the Kidneys.

Treatment and Conditioning

Chinese Herbal Formulas

Treatment Principle: Nourish Yin and descend fire, establish communication between the Heart and Kidney.

1. Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan combined with Zhu Sha An Shen Wan (modified):

   • Ingredients: Sheng Di (Rehmannia) 15g, Xuan Shen (Scrophularia) 10g, Fu Ling (Poria) 10g, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) 10g, Dang Gui (Angelica) 10g, Zhu Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) 12g, Bai Zi Ren (Platycladus Seed) 10g, Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed) 10g, Huang Lian (Coptis) 6g.

   • Indication: This formula is used for Heart and Kidney disharmony with a predominance of Heart Yin deficiency.

2. Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan (modified):

   • Ingredients: Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) 10g, Huang Bai (Phellodendron) 10g, Sheng Di (Rehmannia) 12g, Shan Yu Rou (Cornus) 10g, Dan Pi (Moutan) 6g, Ze Xie (Alisma) 6g, Fu Ling (Poria) 10g, Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Vine) 18g, He Huan Pi (Albizia Bark) 12g, Shi Chang Pu (Acorus) 10g, Lian Xin (Lotus Plumule) 10g.

   • Indication: This formula is suitable for Heart and Kidney disharmony with a predominance of Kidney Yin deficiency.

Administration: Decoct the herbs to yield 200-300 ml of liquid. Take one dose per day, divided into three warm servings.

Modifications:

• If there are signs of vigorous fire injuring Yin, with a deep red tongue without coating, add Shi Hu (Dendrobium) 12g and Sha Shen (Glehnia) 12g to the second formula to nourish Yin with sweet and cool herbs.

• If there is accompanying damp-heat with a yellow, greasy tongue coating, add Zhi Zi (Gardenia) 10g, Ma Wei Lian (Thalictrum) 6g, Che Qian Cao (Plantain) 15g, and Yi Ren (Coix Seed) 15g to the first formula to clear heat and drain dampness.

• For severe night sweats due to Yin deficiency, add calcined Long Gu (Dragon Bone) and Mu Li (Oyster Shell) 15g each, Fu Xiao Mai (Light Wheat) 15g, and Bie Tao Gan (Unripe Peach) 15g to the second formula to astringe Yin and stop sweating.

• If there is concurrent Liver fire flaring upward with severe dizziness, add Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) 12g, Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf) 10g, Huang Qin (Scutellaria) 10g, and Gou Teng (Uncaria) 12g to clear and disperse Liver fire.

• If heat disturbs the “essence chamber,” causing frequent seminal emission, add Jin Ying Zi (Cherokee Rosehip) 10g, Lian Xu (Lotus Stamen) 10g, Sha Yuan Ji Li (Astragalus Complanatus Seed) 15g, and Ci Wei Pi (Hedgehog Skin) 10g to nourish the Kidney and consolidate essence.

Dietary Conditioning

1. Yam and Litchi Congee:

   • Ingredients: 100g fresh yam, 15-30g fresh litchi fruit, 15g longan fruit, 3g Schisandra berry (Wu Wei Zi), and an appropriate amount of rock sugar.

   • Method: First, slice the yam thinly. Cook the yam, litchi, longan, and Schisandra berry to extract their juice. Then, add 100g of Japonica rice to the juice and cook into a congee. Add rock sugar to taste. It can be eaten in the morning and evening.

2. Imperata Root and Adzuki Bean Congee:

   • Ingredients: 30g fresh white imperata root (Bai Mao Gen), 30g adzuki beans (Chi Xiao Dou), 200g Japonica rice.

   • Method: First, decoct the fresh imperata root in water and strain to get the juice. Then, cook the adzuki beans in the juice until they are soft. Add the Japonica rice and continue cooking until the beans are thoroughly cooked and fall apart. It is then ready to eat.

Acupuncture, Tui Na, and Massage

The condition can be regulated by massaging the Kidney Meridian of the Foot Shao Yin and the Bladder Meridian of the Foot Tai Yang. The technique should be gentle, applying pressure along the meridians at points such as Taixi (KI3), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Fuliu (KI7), Shenshu (BL23), and Xinshu (BL15).

Additionally, massage the Heart Meridian of the Hand Shao Yin and the Small Intestine Meridian of the Hand Tai Yang. The technique here should be slightly heavier, applying pressure against the direction of the meridian flow at points like Shenmen (HT7), Shaofu (HT8), and Shaochong (HT9).

Note: Long-term acupressure, depending on the duration and intensity, will only cause a varying degree of “numbness” or habituation at the points, meaning the sensation may become less intense over time and require more pressure. It will not cause any side effects similar to those of Western medications, such as nausea or vomiting.