Category:

Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• subdues rising Liver Yang
• calms internal wind
• clears internal heat
• invigorates blood
• strengthens and stabilises the Liver and Kidneys

Description:

This is a "classic" modern formula from the late 1950s, originally designed for headaches associated with hypertension, but generally used to treat headaches or dizziness due to excess. It is also used in conditions where it is necessary to calm the symptoms of internal wind, e.g., early stages of Parkinson's disease or hemiplegia following a stroke.

Under normal circumstances, Qi flows in the body in a perfect circle. In this "Qi mechanism", the heart is at the upper pole as maximum Yang, the kidneys are at the lower pole as maximum Yin, the liver sends Qi upwards, and the lungs send it downwards. When this mechanism is disrupted for various reasons, for example, if Yang loses its anchor in Yin, or if there is a deficiency of Qi, instead of flowing in a circle, the Qi shoots upwards and causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and vertigo, blurred vision, neurological symptoms such as tremors and tingling, irritability, anxiety or insomnia, which in Western medicine we can observe in hypertension (high blood pressure), facial nerve palsy, tremors or muscle twitches and subsequent stroke, similar to pregnancy pre-eclampsia.

Gastrodia, Uncaria, Haliotis and Polygonum multiflorum suppress the rising Yang in the formula; Eucommia, Loranthus and Achyranthes work together to strengthen Kidney Qi, further helping to anchor the Yang. Gardenia and Scutellaria clear Liver heat – another source of rising Yang.

The mixture is considered to have a mild to moderately strong effect and can therefore be administered long-term. In China, it is popular in geriatric practice precisely because it can effectively control tremors and also improves memory.

Indications:

• expansive or pulsating headaches
• usually unilateral headaches with aura
• worsening with noise, smell or light
• nausea associated with headache
• pain and pressure in the eyes
• stiff neck
• dizziness with feelings of fainting
• tinnitus
• cramps, tics
• tingling of the limbs
• paralysis
• irritability
• insomnia
• distraction

Modern use:

• migraines
• hypertension
• epilepsy
• trigeminal neuralgia
• prevention in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures
• haemorrhagic and ischaemic strokes
• stroke with hemiplegia
• vertigo – dizziness
• facial spasms
• neurasthenia

Tongue:

• red
• may have tremors

Pulse:

• xian or jin
• may be shu

Contraindications:

• in the case that Liver wind rises from Yin deficiency (red tongue without coating, or only with a small amount of coating)

Notes:

Achyranthes bidentata is contraindicated during pregnancy due to its strongly descending effect, even though the formula is successfully administered in the treatment of pre-eclampsia – here, consultation with an experienced therapist is necessary, or potentially a modification of the mixture.

Haliotis shell can injure the stomach and spleen with long-term administration; if signs of poorer digestion appear, or pressure or pain in the epigastrium, it is necessary to reduce the dose of the mixture.

Composition of the formula: