Lower Cholesterol Naturally with Chinese Medicine: Heart Health the TCM Way

Welcome to Healthy Heart at Chi Flow with Jo

Within this blog, we’ll explore natural ways to support healthy cholesterol levels using:

• An ancient acupressure point
  
• A delicious, blood-moving TCM-based recipe
• A flowing Qi Gong movement from the 8 Brocades that nurtures the Liver, Heart, and Lungs

This post is not intended to replace any medication you may be taking. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment plan. These tools are offered as complementary support for your well-being.

What Is High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol itself isn’t bad, it’s a vital component of cell membranes and is crucial in forming myelin, the protective sheath around your nerves that helps them send signals quickly.

But when levels become too high, particularly LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, it can start to build up in your arteries. This sticky buildup is called plaque. Over time, it hardens, narrows the blood vessels, and creates resistance just like a hose that’s become clogged.

The result? Increased risk of:

• Heart disease
  
• Stroke
• High blood pressure

The real danger? You often don’t feel it happening. High cholesterol is typically silent but puts persistent strain on your cardiovascular system.

While statins are commonly prescribed, they’re not without side effects. That’s why many are looking to complementary approaches like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support heart health.

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 Stasis

When 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.

Acupressure Point for Phlegm and Circulation: Stomach 40 (Fenglong)

Let’s begin with a deeply cleansing point: Stomach 40, or Fenglong, meaning “Abundant Bulge.”

Stomach 40 is found on the front of the lower leg, about one thumb-width away from the sharp front edge of the shinbone (the tibia). It sits halfway between the top of the outer ankle bone and the knee. 

🧪 A 2014 study on PubMed showed that stimulating ST40 significantly improved blood pressure and hemodynamics in patients with hypertension, due to its effect on autonomic regulation and blood viscosity.

In Chi Flow, we often focus on feeling the energy connection, like strings of light connecting your fingers to deeper systems. Trust your body’s knowing. Let your mind soften. The body has its own wisdom.

Food Medicine: Nourish the Liver to Move the Blood

In Chinese Medicine, the Liver ensures the smooth flow of Qi and Blood throughout the body. It also stores the Blood, which nourishes everything from your eyes, tendons, ligaments and most importantly your Heart.

When Liver Qi becomes stagnant, due to stress, anger, or rich, fatty foods, it creates internal heat and phlegm, leading to:  High cholesterol, Elevated blood pressure and Emotional tension.

To support the Liver:

🍋 Eat sour foods (like lemon) to move Qi 
🥬 Include green leafy veg to clear heat
🌾 Add whole grains to nourish the Spleen
🫒 Choose healthy oils and fats to lubricate without clogging

Warm Beetroot & Lemon Lentil Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cooked beetroots, diced
  
• 1 cup cooked green or brown lentils
• Handful of rocket or watercress
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp toasted and ground cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Sea salt and black pepper

Method

• Combine lentils, beetroot, and greens in a bowl
• Whisk lemon juice, cumin, and olive oil into a dressing
• Toss, season, and serve warm or room temp.

Why It Works : Beetroot boosts nitric oxide, relaxing blood vessels and improving circulation Lemon (sour) moves stagnant Liver Qi Lentils ground and support digestion Cumin aids digestion and dissolves phlegm.

This is food that opens the capillaries and calms the spirit. There’s more like this in my books and throughout September’s Healthy Heart Month!

A 2023 study showed that regular practice of Baduanjin (8 Brocades) significantly reduced cholesterol and blood pressure, especially in older adults.

How To:

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart
2. Soften the knees
3. Inhale, cross both arms to chest height, forming gentle fists
4. Exhale, extend one arm as if holding the arrow and the other draws the bow string
5. Turn the head and gaze along the extended arm
6. Inhale, return to center, crossing the arms over the chest
7. Repeat on the other side

Do 6–8 rounds on each side, breathing slowly. This movement opens the chest, expands the ribs, and clears stagnation in the heart center.

In Chi Flow, we practice the 8 Brocades live on Fridays and you’ll find class recordings in library—so you’re never alone on your journey.

Join Me for Healthy Heart Month this September

Try the free class on the last weekday of the month (sign up below)

For more support, recipes, and live sessions, head to www.joannefaulkner.ie
And remember: this is not a replacement for medical care, but a beautiful compliment to your healing path.

Your heart is listening. Let’s care for it deeply.

Hope to see you in the Chi Flow!

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.  

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.