Category: Musculoskeletal system, joints, metabolism, detox, pain relief.

Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• moves blood and transforms blood stasis
• clears heat
• drains and dries damp-heat
• disperses 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 syndrome (blockages in the joint area), in our case it is intended for the treatment of gout, a specific disease that manifests in laboratory tests as high levels of uric acid and clinically as 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 aforementioned 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 bad habits – an 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 burdened when walking.

The Tong Yong Tong Feng Tang formula clears damp-heat from the main meridians as well as from the small side branches. Our modification, which contains earthworm and honeysuckle stem, is able to enter the smallest collaterals, perfectly clearing and unblocking them. This is also aided by the Oldenlandia herb, which clears heat and fire toxin and soothes inflammation. Together with Szechuan lovage and Notopterygium, they also stop pain. Other herbs address the cause – they clear and drain damp-heat. 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.

Indications:

• sharp, stabbing pain, mainly in the big toe joint
• local heat and redness
• swelling in the given area
• general feeling of heat, fatigue, irritability

Modern effects:

• gouty arthritis
• possibly acute arthritis in another location

Tongue:

• red
• thicker white-yellow to yellow coating

Pulse:

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

Contraindications:

• Do not use during pregnancy!
• Use with caution in weakened individuals with general symptoms of deficiency (contact a TCM therapist).

Notes:

Gout is also referred to as the "disease of kings" or "disease of the rich" because an important cause is often intemperance in meat, fatty and spicy foods, as well as alcohol. Therefore, we recommend their consistent restriction during treatment, and complete abstinence from alcohol until symptoms subside. Subsequently, use in moderation. We will focus dietetics on the removal of damp-heat.

Composition of the formula: