Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• supplements Qi
• nourishes blood and softens the liver
• calms internal wind – stops tremors, relaxes spasms
• unblocks meridians and collaterals

Description:

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that most commonly manifests in people over 50 years of age. It affects the brain and causes the gradual death of nerve cells, specifically those that produce dopamine in the part of the brain called the Substantia nigra. Consequently, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine predominates in the brain, resulting in typical tremors, motor difficulties, and psychological problems. The patient gradually loses the ability to control their muscles, movement, and speech. There are several stages of Parkinson's disease. At the beginning, patients may appear healthy and do not attribute their difficulties to a brain disease, but rather to advancing age. Around the age of 50, the disease begins in cells mediating olfactory sensations; subsequently, symptoms progress to the stomach, which is why patients in this stage feel a sense of “fullness”. The brain is affected only in the final stage. In this stage, the movement centre is primarily affected, making it increasingly difficult to control and manage. The body is controlled by involuntary movements, and controlled movements are difficult to perform. In addition to walking and balance, the ability to swallow and speech are also impaired due to poor coordination of tongue and facial muscles, as is handwriting or sleep. The patient also feels tingling in the lips and face. A separate group, the so-called “Young Onset”, consists of young people who experience muscle stiffness and slowness between the ages of 30-40.

Parkinson's disease is not directly hereditary, but predispositions can turn into the disease over time as a result of external influences.

According to TCM, the main cause of Parkinson's disease lies in the depletion of liver blood and kidney yin. This leads to a failure in the nourishment and strengthening of tendons, resulting in tremors and spasms, stiffness and rigidity, or potentially contractions. Yin deficiency leads to yang hyperactivity, which can cause so-called liver wind to rise internally. Especially if the wind mixes with phlegm and dampness, it can lead to clogging and blocking of the network of meridians and collaterals, resulting in persistent tremors and shaking. Unmanaged emotions (unfulfilled desires, anger, and frustration) can also negatively affect the liver. The liver loses control over the flow of Qi, which begins to stagnate. Because “Qi moves blood”, stagnation and even blockages can occur. On one hand, static blood blocks the flow and nourishment of tendons, and on the other hand, it also hinders the formation of “new” blood. Both can result in poor nourishment of tendon cells, followed by tremors, spasms, stiffness, and contractures.

Sheng Ming Xi Feng Tang influences the mentioned mechanism by supplementing Qi and blood, so that stagnation and blockages are set in motion, thereby unblocking the meridians and collaterals. The liver is “softened” by nourishment, internal wind is calmed, tremors and involuntary movements cease, and the mobility and flexibility of the entire body improve. The patient can once again control their body, and their level of vital energy and, of course, mood also improve.

Indications:

• hand tremors at rest, their spasms and contractures
• body tremors, possibly also head tremors
• worsening of tremors due to emotions and fatigue
• involuntary finger movement, as if counting money
• body stiffness, especially of the neck and back
• slightly bent knees and elbows
• stooped posture
• movement difficulties
• slowed walking, difficulty taking a step
• balance disorder
• fatigue and weakness
• aversion to cold
• sallow pale face, facial stiffness
• dizziness and vertigo
• shortness of breath, reluctance to speak and difficult speech
• spontaneous sweating
• heaviness in the stomach
• mushy stools

Modern use:

• Parkinson's disease
• Other forms of parkinsonism (a group of diseases that have similar clinical symptoms to Parkinson's disease, but the cause of their origin is different):
• drug-induced (when taking medications that block dopamine production)
• toxin-induced
• post-infection
• post-injury
• during brain degeneration or other forms of dementia

Tongue:

• pale
• swollen
• with tooth marks

Pulse:

• xian or xi
• wei (wiry, or fine to thready)

Contraindications:

• none known

Notes:

Sheng Ming Xi Feng Tang is a tonic, and therefore it usually takes some time (2 to 3 months) for its effects to fully manifest. It is not a simple solution to the “peaks” of the problem – stopping the tremor; at the same time, through nourishment, we are also addressing its cause – the “root” of the disease.

Composition of the formula: