Category: Musculoskeletal system, joints, skin, pain relief

Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• moves blood and transforms blood stasis
• clears heat
• drains and dries damp-heat
• dispels wind
• relieves Re Bi (hot blockages in the joint area)
• unblocks the meridians and collaterals

Description:

A modification of a well-known formula intended for the treatment of painful Bi syndromes (blockages in the joint area), in our case it is intended for the treatment of gout, a specific disease that manifests laboratory-wise with high levels of uric acid and clinically with painful joint inflammation – typically in the area of the big toe. Modern medicine explains that inflammation occurs because uric acid crystallises and the resulting crystals are deposited in joints, tendons and surrounding tissues. But why specifically in the area of the big toe? That is something Chinese medicine can explain. The mentioned crystals and the inflammatory reaction of the tissues to them represent so-called damp-heat, a pathology that is linked either to the liver and gallbladder (usually via emotional stagnation) or to the spleen (dietary habits – excess of meat, alcohol, spicy and fatty foods in the diet). It acts as a "glue" that does not allow vital substances to flow freely; they stagnate, leading to the formation of heat or even fire toxin, and acute inflammation develops (heat, redness, swelling, pain and impaired function). This is also why we speak of a "gout attack". But why at the big toe? It is precisely there, at the base of the big toe, on its inner and outer sides, that the root points of the meridians associated with the formation of damp-heat are located: the liver and spleen meridians. And this joint is also the most stressed during walking.

In treatment, the well-known formula Tong Yong Tong Feng Tang is used internally and clears damp-heat from the main meridians as well as from the small side branches. The formula thus influences not only the acute symptoms but also the cause of why they occur, and is therefore an ideal solution for managing these unpleasant conditions. Our Shan Ci Nan Xing is used as its supplement – for local treatment in the form of rubbing or compresses. The tincture is based on a formula from the book "Traumatology and Orthopaedics of Traditional Chinese Medicine", published by Nanjing University. The two main herbs, after which the formula is named, clear heat and fire toxin, reduce swelling, unblock the meridians and collaterals, and thereby stop pain. Frankincense and myrrh are also effective pain relievers. Local application therefore provides relief for all "hot" arthritides, where the joint is red, swollen and extremely painful. A second useful indication is purulent and painful skin lesions.

Indications:

• sharp, stabbing joint pain, especially of the big toe
• local heat and redness
• swelling in the given area
• painful purulent skin lesions

Modern use:

• gouty arthritis
• potentially acute arthritis in other locations
• purulent skin lesions (ulcers, abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles)

Tongue:

• red
• thicker white-yellow to yellow coating

Pulse:

• shu
• hua
• jin (rapid, slippery, wiry)

Contraindications:

• do not use internally!
• for external use only: rubbing, application of compresses, or as supplementary therapy with an IR lamp or alone

Notes:

We recommend using it together with Tong Yong Tong Feng Tang, which is used internally and is capable of treating the factors triggering gouty arthritis. Regime and dietary measures are essential (see there).

As a tincture, the formula can be very well used to soothe inflamed and purulent skin lesions such as ulcers, abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles (common on the back of the neck, esp. in older men and diabetics) including reactions of regional lymph nodes.

Composition of the formula: