#17 -TCM Headaches – 6 Small Intestine/Heart

The Triple Warmer/Pericardium and Small Intestine/Heart – are, generally, thought of and worked with together.  The season of summer describes these meridians.  The explosiveness and heat of fire are also descriptive of the energy of these meridians.  The first 2 meridians (the first pair) of this set are protective in nature while the second pair of meridians are about getting things done!  The dynamic personalities of people for whom summer is their primary rhythm (such as my husband!) are often the catalyst for great change and even miracles.  These four meridians, combined, are called “The Wizard” for this reason.  The book, The Magic of Thinking Big, describes these people.  It also tells us much about what these people need from us in order to reach the heights they are capable of – and meant to reach.

Small Intestine/Heart

A desire for excellence is the hallmark of the fire phase of meridian energy.  Adolescence is the first major upcycle of summer/fire energy.  Impulses often drive a teenager’s behavior.  They desire independence above all else.  Being understood is also important to them.  They are looking for peace and social justice.  They yearn for love.  More than just about anything else, they seek knowledge and want to understand the mysteries of life.  Most of all, at least in this generation, they seem to value freedom.  At least, some of them do.  Others want security and ease at all costs.

The energy of the four meridians of the summer/fire group is about the transformation of aspects of our lives for the better.  The energy of these meridians allows us to transform pain into growth, envy into joy, grief into resolve and peace, fear into love, and adolescence into maturity and wisdom.

Small Intestine

The Small Intestine, as an energetic meridian, separates truth from untruth in our lives.  This meridian sorts beliefs and precepts for us, emotionally and spiritually in much the same way that the physical organ sorts out destructive or nutrient-poor foods.  The Small Intestine influences the patient’s mental clarity, judgment, and powers of discernment.  The ability to distinguish relevant issues with clarity before making a decision is attributed to the Small Intestine.

The energy of the Small Intestine meridian runs along the side of the neck, onto the face, to the edge of the eyes and then over to the area if the temporomandibular joint.  Meridians running into the head create headaches of various types whenever the meridian is “glitched”.

This meridian influences the function of the pituitary gland.  The pituitary gland is considered to be one of the “master glands”.  The pituitary regulates growth, metabolism, immunity, sexuality, and the entire endocrine system.

Small Intestine Related Headaches

As with the large intestine as well as with other digestive related headaches, the pain of headaches related to the small intestine sometimes alternates between the head and the abdominal area.

All over the head.  The head feels dull and heavy.  The pain is mostly across the forehead.  The entire digestive tract is likely out of balance.

Localized pain.  Stabbing, splitting pain.  Pain manifests either along the gallbladder meridian in the head or along the collateral nerves this meridians energy feeds.  Localized to a small area.  It may be intermittent – coming and going – but the coming or going of the headaches will be continual, perhaps even chronic.

Top of the head – Vertex.  The top of the head is, typically, the location of the pain.  The head feels as though a large nail is being driven into it.

All over the head.  Head feels distending and about to burst.  Irritable and easily angered.  Dizziness, blurred vision, and vertigo.

Small Intestine – in balance

• Efficiently sorts incoming food. Passes on what is not needed to the large intestine for passage from the body.
• The person likes to organize, categorize, and consolidate things into piles.
• Faithful to their belief system.  Measuring their lives by it and holding to its standards throughout their lives.

Emotional Symptoms

• Ability to make good decisions.
• Loving and joy-filled.
• Great warmth and vitality.
• Excellent memory.
• Clarity of thought.

Small Intestine – out-of-balance

• Gray-looking energy when out-of-balance.
• Allergies.
• Emaciation.
• Profuse sweating.
• Tinnitus with pain around the ear.
• Shoulder, arm, and neck pain.
• TMJ pain and problems.
• Statistical link to strokes.
• Can’t tolerate anything tight around the abdomen

Emotional Symptoms

• Inability to assimilate ideas resulting in a feeling of mental deficiency.
• Forgetfulness, muddy thought processes.
• Indecision.
• Restlessness.
• Difficulty expressing emotions.

Balance Restored By

• Sorting and organizing.
• Pondering.
• Being in charge.
• Explaining their plans to others.

Possible Small Intestine Remedies

Essential Oils

Single oils for the small intestine include basil, benzoin, catnip, fennel, ginger, peppermint, and rosemary.  Essential oils which have been extracted from the same plants that are considered to be medicinal herbs for the digestive tract are, subsequently, good essential oils for the small intestine.  Butterfly blends to consider when things are not as they should be in the intestinal tract are ^LeEZ Traveler, ^LeInsideOut, ^LeJulia, ^LeLetting Go, ^LeSynopsis, ^LeTendaCare, and ^LeWarmDown

Essential oils for the Small Intestine Meridian include anthopogon, clove bud, coriander, frankincense, ginger, lavender, melissa, peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree.  Butterfly blends to consider are ^LeBelieve, ^LeInner Peace, ^LeGrace, ^LeMillenia, ^LeReconciliation, ^LeSego Lily, and ^LeUnity

Herbal Solutions

Stinging nettles, valerian, blue vervain, coltsfoot, Oregon grape, mullein, myrrh, gentian, uva ursi, pau d’arco, and white oak.  Butterfly combinations to consider are HD, MULC and, not so strangely, the GI formula.  The GI formula was originally called the “family reunion” tincture.  It has been used, quite extensively, to offset the effects of eating too much of the wrong kinds of foods at family gatherings.

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic low potency combinations to consider include Rescue Remedy, ER911, the Small Intestine Meridian Balance remedy,  Glandular Support #3, Migraine #1 and Migraine #2,  Headaches #1 and #2, Nerve #1 and Nerve #2.  Low potency combination remedies are very helpful, especially if you are not really familiar with homeopathic principles.  They can bring relief, even instant relief.

Deeper level of healing often requires a single remedy in a higher potency.  There are pages and pages of suggested remedies in decent homeopathic repertories.  The ones listed here also include headaches symptoms.  I have not, I am sure, found all of the ones listed for headaches related to digestive issues.  Ars, Calc, Chel, Cina, Ferr, Ferr-p, Gels, Mag-c, Phyt, Sep, and Verat.

(For explanations of some of these oils as they apply here, please see Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils, Chapter 12 – Eastern Healing Philosophy, under the information for the #5 – #6 meridian pair, specifically second half of this pair, Fire/Season of Summer Meridians – Small Intestine/Heart.)

Possible Meridian Points

SI 11 – I love the description of this point.  This point strengthens personal Chi, brings a sense of peace, clears the mind, and eliminates mental confusion.  It is also said to put us in touch with our “elders” who have dealt with similar problems in the past and understand how best to handle them.  This point helps us to sort what is ours to handle and what is not.
SI 3 – This point is a “confluent” point that connects the small intestine meridian with the Governing Vessel Meridian.  The Small Intestine point, SI 3 relieves headaches pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders.
SI 4 – SI 4 calms congestion caused by overeating or eating too many sweets.  An excellent point for headaches caused by such behavior and also for diabetes.

GB 20 – As you probably remember, this is a major point for headaches of most causes and varieties.  Combining GB 20 with any of the above points will broaden the range of effectiveness to cover a wider range of causes and situations.

Endpoints

Placing your fingers on the endpoints of a meridian, especially with an appropriate essential oil on your fingertips, strengthen the flow of that meridian.  Better yet, is to put the essential oil on your palms and “run” the entire meridian.  If the energy of that meridian is very out of balance, it can be useful to run it in the opposite direction of its normal flow – run it backward once or twice.  Then, run it in its normal direction a few times.

Placing essential oils on other Meridian points works very well.  The neurovascular points for the Small Intestine meridian, pictured below, would be especially appropriate.

 The Heart

To quote from the ancient Chinese text, the Huang Di Nei Jing, written 4,700 years ago:  “The heart is the sovereign of all organs and represents the consciousness of one’s being. It is responsible for intelligence, wisdom, and spiritual transformation.”

The heart is, of course, responsible for the blood and the blood vessels necessary to circulate blood to nourish the cells all over the body.  According to TCM theory, the heart and its accompanying meridian is “The Emperor of all organs”.  Other names for it include Supreme Controller, Grand Master, and Lord and Sovereign.  The heart, quite obviously from these names,  is considered to rule over the entire being – physical, mental, emotional, and all of the more subtle energies of the body.  The heart houses the Shen, which radiates from a person’s face and eyes when all is well within them.  (Please see #10 Headaches – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Introduction for further information on Shen.)  I think of the heart, and the heart meridian, as the “System Administrator”.

Heart and Heart Meridian – in balance

• Speaks the truth.
• Energetic. Active. Ambitious.
• Deep and restful sleep.
• Good circulation, even to the extremities.
• Blood pressure and resting heart rate within normal ranges.
• Heart rate returns quickly from max to normal when the exercise session is finished.
• Blood glucose levels are normal.  I don’t know all the details of this connection but I know, from personal experience, that there is one!

Emotional Symptoms

• Warm, empathetic, joyful, and exuberant.
• Charismatic.
• Love drama, excitement, and sentiment.  (Cry in “chick-flick” movies.)
• Faithful to both principles and to the family.
• Nothing manipulative, secretive, or hidden about them.
• Able to look at all sides of a situation quickly and accurately.
• Deep faith.  As a result, they communicate easily with the Spirit.

Heart and Heart Meridian – out-of-balance

• Palpitations.  Skipping pulse.
• Blood pressure problems.
• Heart disease.
• Insomnia, nightmares. Night sweats.
• Restlessness
• A feverish feeling.
• Grey-looking energy when tired or exhausted.
• Feeling cold.
• Dull complexion with a pale face.
• Pain in the arm or shoulder.
• Mental restlessness. Confusion. Poor memory.
• Talking incessantly.  Speaking inappropriately. Stuttering.

Emotional Symptoms

• Live life right to the edge, with no room for error.  “Play with fire” is a fitting description of their lives.
• Do not recognize negative or, even more, dangerous situations.
• Prone to accidents.
• Draw energy from those around them to the detriment of those others.  However, this is not a malicious or conscious drawing.  It is simply the result of their own all-consuming passions and energy.
• Often burn themselves out because they over-committed.
• Periods of extreme productivity followed by utter exhaustion.

Balance Restored by

• Exercise. Working hard.
• Expressing themselves, often at great length.
• Playing, having fun.
• Being creative.
• Learning to set limits and priorities.

Heart-Related Headaches

Western medicine has, in the past, not established much of a connection between heart problems and headaches.  They do acknowledge, however, that poor circulation to the head and to the brain will create headaches.  However, the circulation problems are, most often, attributed to muscles spasms rather than heart issues.  In addition, they say that a typical migraine headache – one with nausea and an aura – often occurs when the blood supplies open up again or when blood vessels become too flaccid.  In either case, too much blood enters the head and brain at once, creating a migraine episode.

The Chinese, with their concept of the heart as the ruler of everything, acknowledges that the heart controls both the emotions and the circulation related to a great many types of headaches.  I have never found anything substantial in my studies to indicate that points along the heart meridian prevent or control headaches to any great degree.  However, the emotions associated with the heart meridian seem, to me, to be exactly the emotions that often triggered my own migraine pain.  As a result, I find these points helpful.

Heart/Circulation Related Headache Symptoms

• Occipital headache.  Shock-like pains coming from the occiput.  Vertigo and, subsequently, the flashing lights of an aura-type migraine.  Occiput becomes tender to the touch.
• All over the head.  Head feels distending and about to burst.  Irritable and easily angered.  Dizziness, blurred vision, and vertigo.

• Localized areas of the head – Intense pain. Head feels as if a nail is being driven into that spot.  The pain occurs, almost always, in the same spot.  Chronic.  Occurring frequently for months or even years.  Often above one eye or the other.

• Band around the head.  Pain feels like a tight band around the head.  Shoulder and neck muscles ache.  Light, noise, and stress worsen the symptoms.

• All over the head.  Prolonged headache.  Steady, dull pain or stabbing.  May have resulted from an injury or from long-standing tension in the neck and shoulder.

My own walk with migraines

I suffered from migraines as a young woman and young mother.  These migraines were, almost always,  the kind described as typical in the literature and textbooks.  When they occurred they followed, exactly, the four steps outlined for migraine headaches in the introductory headache article of this series titled Headaches.  

In short, my migraines always began with, among other things, (1) premonitory symptoms of muscle stiffness, food cravings, difficulty concentrating,  as well as feeling cold, and being extra sensitive to light and noise.  Next, (2) came the vision disturbances that are referred to as migraine auras.  Right behind the flashing lights, came the pain, of course (#3).  Usually, the pain was completely debilitating and lasted for at least 24 hours.  When the pain finally backed off, the fatigue of the fourth step arrived.  This horrible fatigue usually lasted for a couple of days, at least.  The headaches made caring for my family impossible for at least a day.  Afterwards, the fatigue made it difficult to put the house, the kids, and the home-school back in order.

Recent Research – Heart issues and Migraines

Please read this section carefully and with an open mind!

Recently, as part of my research and study for this series of articles, I came across a summary of recent information relating to a possible connection between migraines and heart problems.  This summary was published by the American Migraine Association.  I would like to sum up, very briefly, that article here.

The article reviewed thousands of case histories from around the world.  These case histories were of patients who had suffered from migraines when younger and later developed heart issues.  The compiler asked a very interesting and legitimate question.  He wondered why this connection was not made sooner – even years sooner.

Distolic verses Systolic Pressure – the First Piece of the Puzzle

Cephalalgia is a medical journal reviewing recent research on headaches.  This magazine is published on behalf of the International Headache Society.  A study involving 21,537 individuals published in this journal in 2006 showed that blood pressure readings had a definite connection to migraine headaches.  Why didn’t previous studies make this connection?  The explanation is quite simple and understandable,  – but quite terrifying!  This study, as well as other studies done over the last few years, showed that only higher than normal diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure has any connection to future heart issues.  It would seem that previous studies, having made the incorrect but long-held assumption that anything related to heart problems would raise the systolic pressure, did not pay sufficient attention to diastolic pressure.  As a result, the connection of high diastolic pressure to either migraines or heart disease was not made until recently.

I found the above information interesting because, while my systolic pressure has always been in the normal to high-normal – high-normal only occasionally – range, my diastolic pressure was abnormally high during my migraine years.

Migraines From Blood Flow Blockage to the Head

Some migraines seem to occur because the blood vessels going into the head become flaccid and extended.  However, a great many headaches come about because blood flow to the head, for whatever reason, is impeded.  Sometimes, tight muscles cause the block in the circulation to the brain.  At other times, the block in blood flow is because the vessels responsible for transporting blood to the head are narrowed or otherwise blocked.  Arteriosclerosis, the stiffening and hardening of blood vessels and atherosclerosis, the blocking of blood vessels by fats and/or cholesterol, are often responsible for this reduced blood flow.

Drugs to Treat Migraines – the Second Piece of the Puzzle

People with either arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis run additional risks if they use any sort of drug that reduces the width of, or stiffens, their arteries.  The standard drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, used in the treatment of migraines can narrow heart blood vessels by as much as 18%.  The research analyst I am summarizing here said, “While this is a minor narrowing for a person with normal heart vessels, in those with cholesterol build up, it can become significant.”  I am sorry, but a narrowing of heart blood vessels by nearly 1/5th of its normal width (what our Creator considered normal, at least) does not sound insignificant to me!

Drug Treatment and the Worsening of Existing Heart Problems

Unfortunately, the real crisis came (and still comes) about when people with undiagnosed heart problems and blood vessel blockages took these medications.  The failure of science and medical personnel to understand the connection between high diastolic blood pressure readings and heart disease left many people – more women than men, actually – taking migraine medications with a great potential to do them, and their heart ailments, significant damage!

Is this inappropriate use of migraine medications still going on today?  That is a rather difficult question to answer.  All non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen, now carry a black box label from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informing medical personnel and the public of their association with increased risk of heart attack.  Does your doctor know this?  Does the public, in general, know this?  Do migraine sufferers who buy non-prescription ibuprofen over the counter know this?  Does anyone, whether doctor or patient, read these labels?  When they do notice the black labels, do they even know what they mean?  Ibuprofen, which I took for my migraines a few times in the “olden days” before I realized they were making my heart race, is considered one of the worst of these drugs for reducing blood vessel width.

Possible Heart Issues/Headaches Remedies

The heart and the kidneys, energetically, are inseparably connected according to TCM theory.  When there are heart problems, treat the kidney at the same time.

Herbal Remedies 

Cardiovascular herbs come in three varieties based on their predominant characteristic actions.  These categories are cardiovascular tonics, stimulants, and depressants.

TONICS FOR THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: angelica, astragalus, comfrey, dong quai, ginkgo, ginseng, hawthorn, marshmallow, motherwort, mullein, passion flower, rehmannia, and yucca.  Tonics rebuild and strengthen the heart as well as the arterial and venous structures.

STIMULANTS FOR THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: black cohosh, blessed thistle, buchu, cayenne, cinnamon, cloves, comfrey, coriander, elecampane, garlic, goldenseal, hawthorn berries, motherwort, myrrh, peppermint, prickly ash, skullcap, spikenard, valerian, blue vervain, and wood betony.  Cardiovascular stimulants increase the power and strength of the heartbeat, and therefore, the pulse.

DEPRESSANTS FOR THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: butcher’s broom, lobelia, pleurisy root, saw palmetto, valerian, and spikenard.  Cardiovascular depressants calm the excitability of the electrical systems of the heart.  As a result, these herbs slow the heart rate and calm the violence of the heart muscle contractions.

Note that spikenard and valerian act as both stimulants and depressants. That is exactly what they are. Valerian and its cousin, spikenard, calm and reset the pace of the heartbeat.  This happens naturally when the heart muscle is overexcited, or the electrical signals are misfiring. In other circumstances, these two herbs gently stimulate and strengthen while, at the same time, calming irregularities in the pulse and heart rate.

Nervine herbs and formulas, as always, are appropriate.  This is especially true for the heart meridian as well as the physical heart if the heart and/or the heart’s electrical system need to be calmed down for any reason.  Reasons to calm the heart may be either physical or emotional.

Essential Oils

Single essential oils for the heart are anise, capsicum (cayenne – be very careful with capsicum, this is a very strong essential oil,  easy to get burned), dong quai, goldenrod, Idaho tansy, litsea cubeba, marjoram (eases palpitations), melissa (relax heart when over-stimulated),  myrrh (stimulant), neroli (heart action, calms), petitgrain, rosemary, spikenard, thyme (heart valves), valerian, violet leaf, and ylang ylang.

Butterfly blends with an affinity for one aspect or another of heart and cardiovascular function are ^LeAboutFace, ^LeBenediction, ^LeCinnamonBear, ^LeEnergy, ^LeEternity, ^LeGrace, ^LeKadence, ^LeKey to My Heart, ^LeMariah, ^LeQuietEssence, ^LeSolitude, and ^LeVitality.

Essential oils for the heart meridian include anthopogon, cedarwood, cinnamon, citronella, clove, coriander, frankincense, geranium, hyssop, jasmine, lavender, myrtle, palmarosa, peppers – both black and green, rose geranium, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, and spruce.  Wood oils are especially useful for heart irregularities that have their roots in the inability to handle stress, heartbreak, or tension.  Palo Santo, a very good heart oil, is taken from the heartwood of that tree.

Consider the Butterfly Blends of  ^LeBelieve, ^LeBeloved, ^LeDiscernment, ^LeGrace, ^LeGrateful Heart, ^LeHeartSong, ^LeKadence, ^LeKindred Spirit, ^LeKey to My Heart, ^LeMillenia, ^LeReconciliation, ^LeSanctuary, and ^LeWisdom.

Placing essential oils on Meridian points works very well.  The neurovascular points for the Small Intestine and Heart meridians, pictured below, would be especially appropriate.  Try using an essential oil on your fingertips when holding any of the points below.  This makes point holding even more effective.

(For explanations of each of these oils as they apply to these meridians, please see  Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils, Chapter 12 – Eastern Healing Philosophy, under the information for the #5 – #6 double pair of meridians, specifically #6 (the second half of this meridian group, Fire/Season of Summer.)

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic low potency combinations to consider include Rescue Remedy, ER911, the Small Intestine Meridian Balance remedy, the Heart Meridian Balance remedy, Cardio Arrhythmia #1 and #2, Glandular Support #3, Migraine #1 and Migraine #2,  Headaches #1 and #2, Nerve #1 and Nerve #2.  Low potency combination remedies are very helpful, especially if you are not really familiar with homeopathic principles.  They can bring relief, even instant relief.

Deeper level healing often requires, generally, a single remedy in a higher potency.  There are pages and pages of suggested remedies in decent homeopathic repertories. Consequently, it is impossible for me to list all of them here, or even most of them.  Some suggested remedies are Acon, Arn, Ars, Aur, Cact, Calc, Chin-ar, Gels, Glon, Lob, Phos, and Puls.

 Meridian Points

H 7 – Called the Spirit Door and is the source point of the entire meridian.  All symptoms of heart and heart meridian imbalance respond to this point.
SI 5 – Neck pain, headache.
P 7 – Helps a person see the “Big Picture”, as my husband would say.  This point clarifies the heart, making the direction more clear and decision making easier.
H 7 – Heart palpitations, insomnia, and nightmares that are interrupting sleep.  Lack of sufficient rest causes a great many headaches.

Endpoints

Placing your fingers on the endpoints of a meridian, especially with an appropriate essential oil on your fingertips, strengthens the flow of that meridian.  Better yet, is to put the essential oil on your palms and “run” the entire meridian.  If the energy of that meridian is very out of balance, it can be useful to run it in the opposite direction of its normal flow – run it backward once or twice.  Then, run it in its normal direction a few times.

Placing essential oils on other Meridian points works very well.  The neurovascular points for the Heart meridian, pictured below, would be especially appropriate.

The power of the mind.  It has long been assumed by both physicians and patients alike that high blood pressure or hypertension causes headaches. One very interesting study found that if patients knew they had high blood pressure, 74% also said they had a headache.  However, if the patient did not know they had high blood pressure, only 16% said they had a headache.  In addition, there have been other large studies that have backed this finding, as well.  If a patient does not know they have hypertension, it is likely that no increase will be reported by them in headache frequency.  Other studies, however, have estimated a risk of hypertension to be twice as high in those who suffer from migraines.

No wonder it has taken so long to make any connection between migraines and heart issues, hypertension and other conditions.

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This blog is part of a series on headaches.  This series includes. . . .