Lesson 5 Physiology of Blood Pressure and Stimulants

Question 1

Medication of Circulation

There are 3 stages to be observed:

Answer 1

􏰄 Remove obstruction. Venous system — liver, spleen and intestines. Arterial system — kidney and skin.

􏰅 Regulate peripheral capillary beds. Examine skin and subcutaneous tissue. The capillary beds have 100 times as much blood as the rest of the system. Use diffusive stimulants such as ginger.

􏰆 Regulate arterial-venous balance. Review pulse and pres- sure, check extremity to decide if you need left cardiac - arterial support or right cardiac-venous function.

Question 2

For the left cardiac - arterial system:

Answer 2

Stimulant — Cayenne or Prickly Ash

Relaxant — Lobelia, all diffusive diaphoretics Neuromuscular — Lady’s Slipper Root, Cramp bark

Question 3

For right cardiac - venous system:

Answer 3

Tonic — Gentian, Goldenseal (portal)

Astringent — Bayberry, Collinsonia (portal)

Question 4

Cayenne

Answer 4

Capsicum minimum, C. fastigiatum, C. annuum

Question 5

Ginger

Answer 5

Asarum caudatum, Zingibar officinale

Question 6

Direct stimulants

Answer 6

Those that begin their action on the heart and have their effects spread out from there.

Question 7

Diffusive stimulants

Answer 7

are those that start their stimulative action at the capillary peripheral area and work inward.

Question 8

Horseradish

Answer 8

Cochlearia amoracin, Roripa amoracia, Amoracia lapathifolia

Question 9

Cloves

Answer 9

Eugenia caryophyllata, Caryophyllus aromaticus

Question 10

Prickly ash

Answer 10

Xanthoxylum americanum, Xanthoxylum clavaherculis, Xanthoxylum fraxineum

Question 11

Peppermint

Answer 11

Mentha piperita

Question 12

Reishi

Answer 12

Ganodermum lucidum G. applanatum

Question 13

Hawthorn

Answer 13

Crataegus oxyacantha

Question 14

Persistent capillary contraction

Answer 14

can be caused by overactive nerves (stress) or by some sort of arterial obstruction. In the latter case, there will be an inflammatory response. In an acute or subacute condition there will be heat associated with the inflammation, along with de- creased function of secretory glands. This will result in dryness of skin or mucous membranes, increased sensitivity and pain. In a chronic state (most often seen by herbalists) there will be dehydration and undernourishment. The solution is rehydration and relaxation.

Question 15

Persistent capillary relaxation

Answer 15

esults in a flaccidity of tissues and organs. This will result in a pallour from lack of blood supply, over- hydration from disturbed fluid balance, coldness and feebleness. Initially there will be a cold clamminess to the skin followed by a flaccid shrunken state. In these cases we need to increase capillary tone, providing outward radiation of heat with an astringent action on the venules to promote fluid reabsorption

Question 16

Blood Pressure

Answer 16

Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries.

Question 17

Systolic blood pressure

Answer 17

is the pressure on the artery wall while the heart is contracting.

Question 18

Diastolic blood pressure

Answer 18

is the pressure on the artery wall while the heart is relaxed (and will therefore be the lower of the two readings).

Question 19

Pulse wave

Answer 19

The increases in pressure, which start in the aorta walls, pass along the entire arterial system as a wave.

Question 20

The following influences are responsible for maintenance of arterial blood pressure:

Answer 20

􏰄 pumping action of the heart
􏰅 peripheral resistance (i.e., congestion in the kidney or capil-
lary bed)
􏰆 viscosity of the blood
􏰇 quantity of blood in the arterial system
􏰈 elasticity of arterial walls (including plaquing in the arteries.)

Question 21

A low systolic level with pale extremities suggests a…

Answer 21

a left cardiac and arterial insuffi- ciency.

Question 22

A bluish colour with a puffy appearance of the subcutaneous tissue will involve…

Answer 22

the right cardiac and venous function.

Question 23

The tone of the vascular system is reflected in the diastolic pressure. If the diastolic pressure is low this would suggest…

Answer 23

weakness in the elasticity of the arterial system.

Question 24

Dealing with the cardio-arterial area will reduce…

Answer 24

systolic pressure

Question 25

Dealing with the peripheral will affect..

Answer 25

diastolic levels

Question 26

The pulse varies according to autonomic and systemic nerve states. The following are areas to watch:

Answer 26

􏰄 Pulse is thin and the person is tense — use relaxing herb. 􏰅 Pulse full and person sluggish — stimulate & tone.
􏰆 Pulse imperceptible — build up gradually.
􏰇 Pulse bounding — relax by diaphoresis.

Question 27

Circulatory tension, flexibility or strength can be determined by the ‘Cardiovascular Index’ (CVI):

Answer 27

Pulse rate x (Systolic + Diastolic)