独活寄生汤 / Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Treats the following symptoms:
Relieve Bi is from the earliest clinical encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine “Thousand-Golden-Prescriptions” written by Sun Simiao of Tang Dynasty in 652 AD. Many practitioners in the later generations evaluated the Relieve Bi, the focus is on removing Wind, Cold and Dampness, supplemented with nourishing the Liver, Kidney, and Qi and Blood. Its composition is considered to “eliminate Evil without hurting the Zheng Qi, support the Zheng Qi without remaining Evil”. It is used to treat chronic Bi Syndrome, manifested as pain and weakness in the back and knees, Stiffness of joint muscles, numbness of limbs, pain aggravated by cold, pale tongue, white coating and weak pulse.
It is commonly used in the treatment of chronic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic sciatica, chronic lumbar muscle strain, bone hyperplasia, which belong to Wind-Cold and Damp Bi and chronic fatigue, caused by Qi Deficiency and Damp Phlegm.
ARTHRITIS
Disease description:
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that can lead to damage to the joint surfaces. Besides bacteria, other infections in the body, a hereditary predisposition, as well as autoimmune processes can play a central role in the development of the disease. The inflammatory processes cause not only pain but also swelling of the joint, overheating and reddening of the skin in the area and joint effusion. In the beginning, symptoms show maybe morning stiffness, fatigue, exhaustion, fever, loss of appetite. In acute arthritis, the joint inflammation occurs very suddenly, while chronic arthritis is a protracted joint disease. Over time, there may be progressive destruction of the joint, which limits mobility and can lead to and joint deformation.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Wind, Cold and Damp Invasion with Deficiency (often seen in older people)
When Wind, Cold and Damp invade individuals with Liver, Kidney, Qi and Blood Deficiency, there might be chronic pain, stiffness and a feeling of cold in the lower back, knees, joints, difficult movement, soreness, numbness.
Better for warmth, worse with damp cold.
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp-Heat (often seen in younger people)
Wind, Cold and Damp pathogens can turn into Heat in the Interior and give rise to Heat Bi, especially when there is underlying Yin Deficiency. The patient experience acute severe pain, limited movement, heat in the joints (which feel hot to the touch), red, swollen joints.
Worse with red meat or drinking alcohol.
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Qi Deficiency (often seen in older patients)
A Deficiency of Kidney Qi and Essence fails to nourish the lumbar area, causing chronic pain and stiffness, sore, weak lower back and knees. Bursitis around joints (Knee, shoulder, ligaments).
Better for pressure.
Formula to use: Zhuang Yao Pian
A weak body cant fight cold attacks, leading to severe pain:
Combine with Formula: Relieve Bi
Recommended formulas to use:
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
Typical symptoms:
chronic fatigueDisease description:
In chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, the most common symptom is increasing severe exhaustion even during activities which are not very strenuous. The causes of the disease are suspected to be infections, immunity defects and hormonal disorders. Stress from work and private life also plays a role.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine believes that the occurrence of chronic fatigue is mainly due to Qi Deficiency because of Blockage. It may be caused by external pathogens and disturbed internal organ. Treating chronic fatigue syndrome does not only replenish Qi but also regulates the function of organs and expels the pathogens of the body.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Qi Deficiency and Invasion by Wind Heat
An underlying Qi Deficiency permits Wind-Heat pathogens to invade and lodge more deeply in the body. This may take the form of chronic viral infection with chronic fatigue.
Recommended formulas to use:
Qi Deficiency and Damp
When Dampness blocks the Qi, it can cause Qi Deficiency and lead to fatigue, aggravated by physical or mental activity or after eating, lack of concentration, loss of appetite, loose stools, poor muscle tone, heavy limbs.
Recommended formulas to use:
Qi Deficiency and Damp Phlegm
Qi Deficiency with Damp Phlegm blocking the meridians, leading to fatigue and muscular aches.
Recommended formulas to use:
LOW BACKACHE
Typical symptoms:
lower back acheDisease description:
Back pain is a suffering of modern civilization. Most people have a lower trunk musculature and they are working in a seated position most of the time during the day. This can cause muscle tension and lead to pain in the lower back. On top of that, joint wear, slipped discs, stress and psychological strain are also causes of low backache.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine classifies low backache into “Cold and Damp back pain”, “Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasisback pain” and “Kidney Deficiency back pain”.
Cold and Damp back pain, known as “Bi Syndrome”, is because Wind, Cold and Damp invading cause Meridians Blockage of the back. Patients may show various symptoms such as cold pain in the waist and knees, lower limbs and numbness.
“Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis back pain” are often caused by external striking, slamming, and bruises. Trauma causes Meridian damage and Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis, resulting in pain such as cones and the pain is fixed.
Traditional Chinese medicine says that the waist is the palace of the Kidney. “Kidney Deficiency low back pain” is caused by irregular sexual intercourse or aging and body failure. Deficiency of Kidney Qi and Essencefails to nourish the lumbar area.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Kidney Qi Deficiency
A Deficiency of Kidney Qi and Essence fails to nourish the lumbar area, causing sore, weak lower back and knees, lassitude in the lower back and knees, better for pressure.
Recommended formulas to use:
Qi and Blood Stagnation
History of fighting trauma, fixed pain in the low back.
Recommended to use acupuncture
Damp-Cold
Cold and Damp invading causes Meridians Blockage of back, leading to cold pain in the waist and knees, lower limbs, soreness and numbness. Worse in winter, cold and rainy days.