Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin - Detailed Overview

Jul 11, 2024

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Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin (Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction)

Overview

  • Purpose: Treats high blood pressure symptoms (hypertensive headaches, dizziness, insomnia) due to liver yang rising and internal wind.
  • Developer: Physician Hu Guang-Ci (published in 1958).
  • Combines: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories with modern pharmacological research.

TCM Perspective

  • Pattern Treated: Hyperactive liver yang/ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang/liver yang rising.
  • Nature of Liver:
    • Governs upbearing and effusion.
    • Moves qi upward and outward.
    • Correlates to the wood element.
    • Counterbalance: Liver is yin in substance, yang in function.
  • Liver Yang Rising Pattern:
    • Imbalance between yin and yang of liver -> Excessive liver yang rising.
    • Symptoms: headache, dizziness, tinnitus, red face or heat sensation, blurred vision.
    • Can affect heart (insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep).
    • Mixed pattern of excess (upper body symptoms) & deficiency (underlying liver yin deficiency).
  • Factors Contributing to the Pattern:
    • Emotional factors (e.g., anger, frustration) -> Qi constraint -> Heat -> Damaged yin-blood -> Unrestrained yang.
    • Ascendant liver yang can stir internal wind (e.g., twitching, spasms).

Biomedical Perspective

  • Function: Many herbs in the formula lower high blood pressure.

Symptoms Targeted by Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

  • Headache, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, sensation of heat rushing to the head, insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep, numbness, twitching, spasms, hemiplegia.
  • Tongue: Red (heat condition).
  • Pulse: Rapid (heat) and wiry (liver condition).

Key Ingredients

  • Tian Ma
    • Neutral in temperature.
    • Treats internal wind (heat or cold), Bi syndrome.
  • Gou Teng
    • Slightly cold.
    • Better for wind due to liver heat and releases the exterior.

Other Ingredients:

  • Shi Jue Ming (Abalone Shell): Anchors liver yang rising.
  • Zhi Zi & Huang Qin: Clear heat.
  • Yi Mu Cao & Chuan Niu Xi: Invigorate blood, prevent rising to the head, promote downward movement.
  • Du Zhong & Sang Ji Sheng: Tonify liver and kidney, treating underlying deficiency.
  • Ye Jiao Teng & Fu Shen: Calm the spirit, treat insomnia and dream-disturbed sleep.

Modern Research Observations

  • Lowering Blood Pressure: Many herbs act as diuretics (e.g., Du Zhong) which are used in biomedicine to treat high blood pressure.

Special Cooking Instructions

  • Shi Jue Ming: Pre-decoct (boil for 10-20 minutes before adding other herbs).
  • Gou Teng: Add near the end, cook for no more than 10 minutes.

Common Modifications

  • Severe Symptoms: Add Ling Yang Jiao.
  • Severe Dizziness: Add Dai Zhe Shi, Mu Li, Long Gu, Ci Shi.
  • Liver Fire: Add Long Dan Cao, Xia Ku Cao, Mu Dan Pi.
  • Constipation: Add Da Huang, Mang Xiao.
  • Liver/Kidney Deficiency: Add Nu Zhen Zi, Gou Qi Zi, Bai Shao, Sheng Di Huang, He Shou Wu.

Comparisons with Similar Formulas

  • Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang: For wind due to extreme liver heat (symptoms: high fever, deep red tongue, loss of consciousness).
  • Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang: For wind-stroke or cerebral hemorrhage (vigorous ascent of qi and yang, wiry, long, forceful pulse).
  • Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin: For liver yang rising causing hypertensive headache, dizziness, insomnia.

Cautions

  • Not for Self-prescribing: These herbs are potent and should be prescribed by a licensed practitioner.
  • Consult Licensed Practitioners: To ensure proper diagnosis and avoid drug-herb interactions.

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