title: Chinese herbal fomentation at the Yongquan point (K1): a potential hypotensive regimen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this research was to assess the adequacy of blood pressure (BP) control by applying Chinese herbal fomentation (a type of thermotherapy) at the Yongquan point (K1).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 102 patients with hypertension, ages 39-55, were included in this study. After a baseline examination, each enrolled patient participated in one session per day lasting 24 hours for 3 continuous days, during which the Yongquan point (K1) on both sides of the body were fomented (given thermotherapy) with a mixture of Chinese herbs. In addition, 24-hour ambulatory BP (ABP) monitoring (ABPM) was repeated at baseline and on the day after the therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients had significantly lower daytime systolic and diastolic BP post-treatment. There were no significant changes in 24-hour, or night-time systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), or mean arterial BP, and in pulse pressure after therapy. The rate of adverse events was 0.98% in these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The regimen sustained SBP and DBP control during the day for the majority of patients. This study suggested that a Chinese herbal fomentated at the Yongquan point (K1) of both sides of the body has some hypotensive potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China. tyq1229@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: YanQing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: QiPing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Leng
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal