About this formula

Acceptance (herbal support) is the Chinese herbal breakthrough that helps you get past the pain of heartbreak more quickly, more healthfully, and without the weight gain associated with “comfort foods”.

We all know that love comes, but sometimes it goes too. The profound suffering of heartbreak is even more difficult with the loss of a loved one. One option that shouldn’t be overlooked is Chinese herbal therapy for heartbreak pain.

Chinese medicine has a highly evolved way of looking at different kinds of pain, and heartbreak is no different. According to Chinese medical theory, strong emotions can impede the flow of qi-energy through the body.

In the case of heartache, that stagnation is taking place in the chest. You may feel a weight on your chest, experience frequent sighing, perhaps notice that your breathing is shallow.

Since qi helps blood move, when qi stagnates in the chest, the (Chinese concept of the) Heart can become under-nourished by blood and give rise to an apathetic or depressed mood. In delicate individuals, we may see heart palpitations, panic attacks, or insomnia. Many will feel impatient or ill at ease as well.

If the qi-energy stagnates in the digestive system, expect to find nausea, lack of appetite, belching or gas.

Heartbreak can also impede some Lung functions. The (Chinese idea of the) Lungs are said to be particularly sensitive to grief or loss. When the Lungs become weakened by grief, their gas exchange functions can be impacted leading to fatigue, dizziness, or malaise.

This Chinese herbal formula helps calm the profound suffering of the Heart by targeting specific sensations that arise from grief.

Ingredients

Gua Lou Pi瓜蔞皮 trichosanthes peel Pericarpium Trichosanthis

• Gua Lou is a little melon. The “pi” is the peel of the gua lou melon. It is used to stimulate the flow of qi in the chest. When the qi-energy is not flowing well in the chest, it causes one to sigh frequently possibly associated with the sensation that they can’t take a deep breath.

Xiang Fu 香附 cyperus, nut-grass rhizome Cyperi Rhizoma

• This is another herb that stimulates movement and opening in the chest. Like Gua Lou Melon Peel above, it promotes qi circulation in the chest. However this herb also supports blood circulation as well. When the qi and blood are flowing well, there is no discomfort in the chest. No sense of that “broken heart” feeling. We commonly use this herb for frequent sighing. It belongs in this formula.

Dan Shen 丹蔘 salvia root Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix [caution]

• If qi stagnation causes blood stagnation, the Heart may be under-nourished by blood. Blood deficiency in the Heart can lead to an apathetic or depressed mood. Dan Shen is often added to formulas that promote cardiovascular health too.
• Delicate individuals may also have heart palpitations, panic attacks, or insomnia as these three symptoms can be associated with under-nourished Heart functions according to Chinese medicine.
• This herb is cool in nature too. Suffering can be partially addressed by cooling the Heart. Think of this as turning down the passion just a tad. Heat in the heart can also cause excessive passion or a sense of being ill at ease.

Hou Po 厚朴 magnolia bark Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis [use caution if pregnant]

• This herb moves the qi, but it also dries dampness. Damp is the outcome of inefficient digestion. It leads to gurgling, and nausea. When qi stagnation hits the chest, it causes frequent sighing, but when it hits the digestive organs, it causes nausea, bloating and gas. Hou Po Magnolia bark helps regulate the nervous system behind all these events.

Zhi Shi 枳實 unripe bitter orange, chih-shih Aurantii Fructus immaturus [use caution if pregnant]

• Another herb that addresses qi stagnation in both the chest and digestive organs, it helps the qi in both the chest and stomach descend. When Lung or chest qi doesn’t descend, it causes shallow breathing. When Stomach qi doesn’t descend, it causes nausea, belching and a loss of appetite.

Huai Xiao Mai 浮小麥 light wheat grain Tritici Fructus Levi

• This is another herb that supports the emotional functions of the heart. This herb is used in a formula that addresses excessive crying called Licorice, Wheat and Jujube Decoction (Gan Mai Da Zao Tang). We’re using it here in “Acceptance” for the exact same reason.

Huang Qi 黃耆 astragalus root, milk-vetch root, milkvetch root Astragali Radix

• Most of this formula is devoted to the movement of qi and blood. Huang Qi is more about Lung functions. As mentioned above, grief damages the Lungs. Huang qi repairs that damage. The use of huang qi astragalus supports healthy gas exchange which means you’re going to get more oxygen in your blood stream. Remember that a Lung qi deficiency can cause fatigue, dizziness, or malaise.
• Huang Qi is also famous for “lifting the clear yang” which is to say that it clears your head. It makes you bright and shiny again. It gives you a whole new lease on life.