STAGNATION OF LIVER-QI
Symptoms and signs
Unilateral pain with a distending sensation is not palpable. The pain starts after an emotional disturbance and can be aggravated by a bad mood. Insomnia, irritability, migraine, irregular menstruation, a poor appetite, a dull feeling in the stomach, lower abdominal pain, a red tongue with a white coating and a wiry pulse.
Principle of treatment
Soothe the Liver, regulate the Liver-Qi and relieve the pain.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Prescription
XIAO YAO SAN
Free and Relaxed Powder
Chai Hu Radix Bupleuri IOg
Dang Gui Rndix Attgelicae Sinensis 10 g
Bai Shao Radix Paeoniae Alba 20 g
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis Macroeephalae 10 g
Fu Ling Poria 15 g
Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae 5 g
Bo He Herba Menthac 5 g
Sheng Jiang Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens 5 g
Explanations
• Bai Shao and Dang Gui nourish the Blood in the Liver and smooth and strengthen the Liver, to strengthen its physiological function.
• Chai Hu and Bo He regulate and promote the circulation of Liver-Qi and remove the stagnation of Qi in the Liver. These two herbs may also relieve body pain directly.
• Bai Zhu, Fu Ling and Sheng Jiang tonify the Spleen and Stomach.
• Gan Cao harmonises the actions of the other herbs in the prescription.
Modifications
1. If there is migraine, add Chuan Xiong Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong 10 g and Xiang Fu Rhizoma Cyperi 10 g to regulate the Liver-Qi and relieve the pain.
2. If there is a sharp pain, add Yan Hu Suo Rhizoma Corydalis 10 g and Mo Yao Resina Myrrhae IOg to heighten the effectiveness of the prescription in relieving the pain.
3. If there is lower abdominal pain, add Wu Yao Radix Linderae 5 g and Ju He Semen Citri Rcticulatae 10 g to regulate the Qi circulation in the lower abdomen and relieve the pain.
4. If there is irregular menstruation, add Xiang Fu Rhizoma Cyperi 10 g, Huai Niu Xi Radix Achyranthis Bidentatac 10 g and Yi Mu Cao Herba Leonuri 10 g to promote the circulation of Qi and regulate the circulation of Blood.
Patent remedies
Xiao Yao Wan Free and Relaxed Pill
Shu Gan Wan Soothe Liver Pills
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
TE-5 Waiguan, PC-6 Neiguan, BL-18 Ganshu, SP-6
Sanyinjiao, LR-3 Taichong and GB-41 Zulinqi. Even method is used for these points.
Explanations
• TE-5, the Connecting point, and GB-41, the Confluence point, of the Governing Vessel, promote the Qi circulation in the Lesser Yang channels and relieve the unilateral pain.
• PC-6, the Connecting point of the Pericardium channel and Confluence point of the Yin Linking Vessel, regulates the circulation of Qi and removes the Qi stagnation.
• BL-18, the Back Transporting point of the Liver, regulates the circulation of Qi and removes the Qi stagnation.
• SP-6, the crossing point of the three Yin channels of the foot, regulates the Qi and removes the Qi stagnation.
• LR-3, the Source and Stream point of the Liver channel, may regulate the Liver-Qi and relieve the pain.
Modifications
1. If there is hypochondriac pain, add LR-14, the Front Collecting point of the Liver, and GB-40 to regulate the Qi circulation and to relieve the pain.
2. If there is lower abdominal pain, add ST-29 and SP-8, the Accumulation point of the Spleen channel, to regulate the Qi circulation and to relieve the pain.
3. If there is irregular menstruation, add SP-9 and KL-3 to regulate the menstruation.
4. If there is insomnia, add GV-20, HT-7 and BL-15 to calm the Mind and improve sleep.
5. If there is irritability, add LR-2 and HT-6 to regulate the Liver and to clear the Heat in the Liver, to improve the mood.
Case history
A 41-year-old woman had been suffering from unilateral pain for 2 years. She complained of pain with numbness on the right side of her body when she felt stressed or angry. Sometimes the pain occurred before menstruation. She had many check-ups; however, no organic disease was found. As well as the unilateral pain, she had headache, irregular menstruation, a poor appetite and numbness on her tongue. Her tongue was red with a white coating. Her pulse was wiry.
Diagnosis
Stagnation of Liver Qi.
Principle of treatment
Regulate Liver Qi and remove the Qi stagnation in the channels.
Herbal treatment
Prescription
XIAO YAO SAN
Free and Relaxed Pounier
Chai Hu Radix Bupleuri 10 g
Dang Gui Radix Angelicae Sinensis 10 g
Bai Shao Radix Paeoniae Alba 20 g
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae 10 g
Fu Ling Porta 15 g
Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae 5 g
Bo He Herba Men thae 3 g
Yu Jin Radix Curcumae 10 g
Yan Hu Suo Rhizoma Corydalis IOg
Explanations
• Chai Hu and Bo He regulate and promote the circulation of Liver Qi and remove the Qi stagnation in the Liver.
• Bai Shao and Dang Gui nourish the Blood and strengthen the Liver. These two herbs can also relieve body pain directly.
• Bai Zhu and Fu Ling tonify the Spleen and Stomach.
• Yu Jin helps Chai Hu to regulate Liver Qi and relieve the pain.
• Yan Hu Suo regulates the circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves the pain.
• Gan Cao harmonises the actions of the other herbs used in this prescription.
After the herbal treatment, the pain in the right side of her body was relieved within 5 weeks. Two years later, she reported that the problem had not recurred.
DEFICIENCY OF QI AND STAGNATION OF BLOOD
Symptoms and signs
Half-body pain with weakness, numbness and soreness of the limbs, sometimes stabbing pain in the muscles, hemiplegia, joint rigidity, muscle atrophy, low back pain, palpitation, headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, a poor appetite, loose stool or diarrhoea, a pale tongue with a white coating and a deep and thready pulse.
Principle of treatment
Tonify Qi, promote Blood circulation and remove Blood stasis.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Prescription
BU YANG HUAN WU TANG
Tonify the Yang to Restore Five-tenths Decoction Huang Qi Radix Astragali seu Hedysari 30 g Dang Gui Radix Angelicae Sinensis 12 g Chi Shao Radix Paeoniae Rubrae IOg Chuan Xiong Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong Tao Ren Semen Persicae 10 g Hong Hua Flos Carthami 10 g Di Long Lumbricus 10 g
Explanations
• Huang Qi with heavy dosage tonifies the Qi and promotes the Qi and circulation.
• Chuan Xiong helps Huang Qi to promote the Qi and Blood circulation.
• Dang Gui, Chi Shao, Tao Ren, Hong Hua and Di Long invigorate the Blood circulation, remove the Blood stasis and relieve the pain.
Modifications
1. If there is hemiplegia, add Du Zhong Cortex Eueomiae 10 g, Dan Shen Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae 10 g and Rou Gui Cortex Cinnamomi 10 g to tonify the Kidney and strengthen the limbs.
2. If there is fatigue and dizziness, add Gou Ji Rhizoma Cibotii Barometz 10 g and Dang Shen Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae 10 g to tonify the Qi and nourish the Yin to relieve the dizziness.
3. If there is joint pain, add Gui Zhi Ramulus Cinnamomi 10 g, Yan Hu Suo Rhizoma Corydalis IOg and Sang Zhi Ramulus Mori 10 g to promote the Qi circulation and relieve the pain.
4. If there is a poor appetite, add Chen Pi Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae IOg and Mu Xiang Radix Aucklandiac 10 g to regulate the Stomach-Qi and improve the appetite.
Patent remedy
Xiao Huo Luo Dan Minor Invigorate the Collaterals
Special Pill
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
LI-4 Hegu, TE-5 Waiguan, BL-17 Geshu, CV-12
Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli, LR-3 Taichong and SP-IO
Xuehai. Reinforcing method is used on these points.
Explanations
• LI-4, the Source point, regulates the Qi circulation and relieves the pain.
• TE-5, the Connecting point, promotes the Qi circulation and removes Blood stagnation.
• BL-17, the Gathering point of the Blood, promotes the Blood circulation and removes the Blood stagnation.
• CV-12, the Gathering point for the Fu organs, promotes the Blood circulation and removes the Blood stagnation.
• ST-36, the Lower Sea point of the Stomach, tonifies the Qi and promotes the Blood circulation.
• LR-3 is the Stream and Source point of the Liver channel; Qi is the guide for Blood, so LR-3 is used to regulate the Qi circulation so as to promote the Blood circulation in turn.
• SP-IO is the patent point for treating Blood stasis and relieving the pain.
Modifications
I. If there is headache or dizziness, add GV-20 and GB-20 to regulate the Qi circulation and relieve the pain or dizziness.
2. If there is numbness in the limbs, add SP-3 and SP-6 to regulate the Qi circulation and relieve the numbness.
3. If there is fatigue, add CV-4 and CV-6 to tonify the Qi and Blood and increase the energy.
4. If there are palpitations, add PC-6 and HT-3 to promote the Qi circulation and calm the Mind.
5. If there is hemiplegia, add LI-11, GB-30 and GB-34 to promote the Qi and Blood circulation in the region.
6. If there is a poor appetite, add SP-4 to regulate the Qi circulation and improve the appetite.
Case history
A 66-year-old man had experienced a cerebral infarction 3 months previously. Since then he had suffered hemiplegia with pain on the left side of his body. His left limbs were numb and there was slight swelling. Also, he felt weak, dizzy and was tired especially after exercise. His tongue was enlarged and was a pale colour with a white coating. He had a deep and thready pulse.
Diagnosis
Deficiency of Qi and stagnation of Blood.
Principle of treatment
Tonify Spleen-Qi, promote Qi and Biood circulation and remove Blood stagnation.
Acupuncture treatment
The points LI-4, TE-5, CV-12, ST-36, SP-6, LR-3 and BL-17 were selected. Treatment was given once every other day. Even method was used on these points.
Explanations
• LI-4 is the Source point of the Large Intestine channel. TE-5 is the Connecting point of the Triple Burner channel. These two points in combination promote the circulation of Qi and relieve pain in the left arm.
• CV-12 is the Front Collecting point of the Fu organs. ST-36 is the Lower Sea point of the Stomach. These two points in combination tonify the Spleen-Qi and promote the Qi and Blood circulation.
• SP-6 is a crossing point of three Yin channels of the foot. LR-3 is the Stream and Source point of the Liver channel. These two points in combination promote the Blood circulation and remove the Blood stagnation so as to relieve the pain in the leg on the left side.
• BL-17, the Gathering point for the Blood, regulates the Blood circulation and removes the Blood stagnation.
After 2 months of treatment, the pain on the left side of the patient’s body had gone. He was visited a year later and he said he had had no pain after the acupuncture treatment.
DEFICIENCY OF YIN OF LIVER AND KIDNEY
Symptoms and signs
Half-body pain with soreness, dizziness, palpitations, a low fever, night sweating, lassitude, insomnia, tinnitus, numbness of the limbs, hemiplegia, lumbago with soreness, a dry mouth, night sweating, a poor appetite, constipation, scanty menstruation with a pale colour, a red tongue with a thin coating, and a thready and rapid pulse.
Principle of treatment
Nourish the Yin of Liver and Kidney and relieve the pain.
HERBAL TREATMENT
Prescription
QIJU DI HUANG WAN
Lycuim Fruit, Chrysanthemum and Rehmannia Pill
Gou Ji Zi Fructus Lycii 10 g
Ju Hua Flos Chrysanthemi 6 g
Shu Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata 20 g
Shan Zhu Yu Fructus Comi 12 g
Shan Yao Rhizoma Dioscoreae 12 g
Fu Ling Poria 9 g
Mu Dan Pi Cortex Moutan Radieis 9 g Ze Xie Rhizoma Alismatis 9 g
Explanations
• Gou Ji Zi and Ju Hua nourish the Yin of the Liver and pacify the Liver-Fire.
• Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu and Shan Yao tonify the Blood and the Essence of the Liver and Kidney.
• Ze Xie promotes urination, eliminates the Damp and clears the Heat.
• Mu Dan Pi cools the Blood and activates the Blood circulation.
• Fu Ling strengthens the Spleen and drains the Damp.
Modifications
1. If there is dizziness, add Chuan Xiong Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong IOg and Gou Teng Ramulus Uneariae cum Uncis 6 g to promote the Qi circulation and pacify the Liver-Wind.
2. If there is hemiplegia, add Dan Shen Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae 10 g and Di Long Lumbricus 10 g to promote the Blood circulation and remove the Blood stasis.
3. If there is insomnia, add Suan Zao Ren Semen Ziziphi Spinosae 10 g and Wu Wei Zi Fructus Schisandrae 10 g to calm down the Mind.
4. If there are palpitations, add Suan Zao Ren Semen Ziziphi Spinosae 10 g and Bai Zi Ren Semen Biotae 10 g to calm down the Mind and relieve the palpitations.
5. If there is lower back pain, add Xu Duang Radix Dipsaei 10 g, Sang Ji Sheng Ramulus Loranthi 10 g and Bai Shao Radix Paeoniae Alba 10 g to strengthen the Kidney and relieve the pain.
6. If there is constipation, add Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae IOg and Xuan Shen Radix Scrophulariae 10 g to nourish the Kidney-Yin and lubricate the Large Intestine so as to relieve the constipation.
Patent remedy
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Lycuim Fruit, Chrysanthemum and
Rehmannia Pill
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
LI-4 Hegu, PC-6 Neiguan, LR-3 Taichong, KI-3 Taixi, KI-7 Fuliu, CV-6 Qihai, SP-6 Sanyinjiao and BL-23
Shenshu. Reinforcing method is used on these points.
Explanations
• LI-4, the Source point, promotes the Qi circulation and relieves the pain.
• PC-6, the Connecting point of the Pericardium channel, nourishes the Yin and relieves the pain.
• LR-3, the Stream and Source point of the Liver channel, promotes the circulation of Qi and nourishes the Liver-Yin.
• KI-3, the Stream and Source point, and KI-7, the Metal point, enhance the effect of the Yin tonification.
• CV-3, the Front Collecting point of the Bladder, and a crossing point of the Directing Vessel and the three Yin channels of the foot, is often used for tonification.
• SP-6, the crossing point of the Spleen, Kidney and Liver channels of the foot, can nourish the Yin and clear the Fire to relieve pain.
• BL-23, the Back Transporting point of the Kidney, may be used to nourish the Kidney-Yin so as to nourish the Liver-Yin indirectly.
Modifications
1. If there is dizziness or headache, add GB-20 and TE-8 to relieve the headache or dizziness.
2. If there are palpitations, add HT-7 and BL-15 to regulate the Qi and calm the Mind.
3. If there is restlessness and insomnia, add GV-20 and HT-8 to clear the Heat and calm the Mind.
4. If there is a poor appetite and lassitude, add ST-36, CV-12 and SP-3 to promote the Qi circulation in the Middle Burner and improve the appetite.
5. If there is constipation, add ST-37 and ST-25 to nourish the Yin and promote defecation.
6. If there is hemiplegia, add TE-5, LI-11, GB-34 and ST-40 to promote the Qi circulation and remove the Blood stagnation.
