The Therapeutic Effects of Herbal Patch Therapy on Hypertension

Understanding the Mechanism of Acupoint Application in Treating High Blood Pressure

Acupoint application, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, has shown promising results in managing hypertension. This method involves applying herbal pastes containing ingredients such as Aconite (Fuzi), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum wallichii), and Sanleng (Sparganium stoloniferum) to the Shenque acupoint (CV8) of patients. Clinical observations have revealed that this treatment can significantly improve cardiovascular function by increasing stroke volume, reducing peripheral vascular resistance, and enhancing arterial compliance.

These physiological changes indicate that acupoint application helps alleviate the workload on the heart while boosting cardiac output. For patients suffering from a low-flow, high-resistance hemodynamic profile, this therapy offers a natural and effective way to restore balance and improve overall heart function.

Improving Hemodynamics and Blood Circulation

Peripheral Resistance and Arterial Compliance

The blood pressure-lowering effect of acupoint stimulation appears to be primarily mediated through a reduction in resistance within small arteries. While this is the main mechanism, it's also possible that the therapy enhances the elasticity of medium and large arteries, further supporting cardiovascular health.

Blood Rheology Regulation

In addition to its hemodynamic benefits, acupoint application has been shown to correct abnormal blood rheology. When processed white mustard seeds (Sinapis alba) are applied to key acupoints such as Fenglong (ST40), Shenshu (BL23), and Quchi (LI11), patients experience a significant decrease in whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, and erythrocyte electrophoretic time.

This suggests that the therapy can effectively modulate blood flow properties in individuals with hypertension, particularly by reducing blood viscosity. Moreover, studies have found that this treatment can increase plasma renin activity (PRA) while decreasing angiotensin-I (Ang-1) levels, indicating that acupoint application may help regulate the renin-angiotensin system—a key player in blood pressure control.