How TCM Understands Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Imbalance

In TCM, we don’t use terms like “cholesterol.” Instead, we look at patterns of disharmony. High cholesterol is often linked to:

- Dampness and Phlegm accumulation- Spleen deficiency (which impairs digestion and fluid transformation)- Liver Qi stagnation- Blood stasisWhen the Spleen is weakened by rich food, overthinking, or stress, it fails to properly transform fluids, leading to the production of damp-phlegm. Phlegm is thickened mucus that can build up in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it can solidify into “accumulations”, denser masses of cells or fluids, including cysts and tumors, whether benign or malignant. This phlegm obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood, creating conditions that TCM equates with atherosclerosis, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. And remember, in Chinese Medicine, the Heart is the Emperor. All organs are in service to it. So when phlegm or stagnation blocks the flow of Qi and Blood, the Heart suffers most.JOIN US FOR A FREE ONLINE QI GONG CLASS: https://joannefaulkner.ie/feel-well-every-day