This is a
contemporary Chinese formula created by Chen Xiang-jun from Feng-nan in Hebei
province. Its Chinese name literally translates as Impediment Pain Cleverly
Efficacious Decoction. Our version is a 9:1 extract.
RX:
Yi Yi
Ren (Semen Coicis)
Qiang Huo (Radix Et Rhizoma Notopterygii)
Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae)
Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis)
Mu Gua (Fructus Chaenomelis)
Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi)
Wu Yao (Radix Linderae)
Han Fang Ji (Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae)
Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae)
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Ru Xiang (Olibanum)
Mo Yao (Myrrha)
Tao Ren (Semen Persicae)
Hong Hua (Flos Carthami)
Di Long (Pheretima)
Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi)
Su Geng (Caulis Perillae)
Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae)
INDICATIONS:
This
formula is for the treatment of chronic, enduring impediment pain due to a
combination of wind, cold, damp evils and blood stasis having entered the
network vessels. This pattern corresponds to certain presentations of
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF WIND, COLD, DAMP IMPEDIMENT:
-
Muscle- joint pain which is relatively fixed in location and persists for a
long time
-
May
worsen with exposure to dampness and cold
-
Affected area may feel heavy and encumbered
-
Typically feels better with warmth
-
May
be accompanied by swelling
-
Is
not accompanied by redness or palpable heat
SIGNS
& SYMPTOMS OF BLOOD STASIS ENTERING THE NETWORK VESSELS:
SIGNS
& SYMPTOMS OF LIVER DEPRESSION QI STAGNATION:
-
Irritability
-
Frustration
-
A
bowstring pulse
COMBINATIONS:
If there
is marked qi vacuity, combine with Si Jun Zi Wan (Four Gentlemen Pills)
or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Supplement the Center & Boost the Qi Pills). If
there is a concomitant qi and blood vacuity, combine with Ba Zhen Wan
(Eight Pearls Pills). If there is concomitant kidney yang vacuity, combine with
Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pills) or You Gui Wan (Restore the Right
[Kidney] Pills).
FORMULA EXPLANATION:
Arthritis
typically corresponds to impediment conditions (bi zheng) in Chinese
medicine. According to the Nei Jing (Inner Classic): “ [When] the three
qi of wind, cold, and dampness combine, they result in impediment.” However, Ye
Tian-shi has also said that, “Enduring diseases enter the network vessels,”
meaning that enduring diseases are usually complicated by blood stasis in the
network vessel. While Yan De-xin has pointed out that, if there is chronic
disease, there is liver depression whether that depression was part of the
original cause of that disease. This is based on the fact that unfulfilled
desires is the main cause of liver depression and a sick person has to have many
unfulfilled desires. Therefore, unlike many impediment pain formulas, this
formula not only dispels wind, eliminates dampness, and scatters cold, but also
quickens the blood and frees the flow of the network vessels as well as courses
the liver and rectifies the qi. Within it, Qiang Huo and Gui Zhi
warm yang and free the flow of the vessels, scatter cold and diffuse impediment.
Qin Jiao and Fang Ji dispel wind and eliminate dampness, relax the
sinews and free the flow of the network vessels. Cang Zhu and Yi Yi
Ren eliminate dampness by a combination of seeping and drying as well as
free the flow of the network vessels. Dang Gui, Hong Hua, and Tao Ren
quicken the blood and dispel stasis. Di Long, Mo Yao, and Ru Xiang
quicken the blood, free the flow of the network vessels, and powerfully stop
pain. Su Gen, Wu Yao, and Xiang Fu course the liver and rectify
the qi. In particular, when Su Gen is combined with Xiang Fu,
these two medicinals harmonize the liver and spleen. Additionally, Yi Yi Ren
fortifies the spleen, Dang Gui nourishes the blood, and Wu Yao
warms the kidneys. Niu Xi supplements the liver and kidneys and
strengthens the sinews and bones, while Mu Gua transforms dampness and
relieves cramping. According to Bensky et al., this medicinal is
especially useful for a liver-spleen disharmony resulting in problems in the
lower extremities. And finally, Gan Cao harmonizes all the other
ingredients in the formula.
CHINESE CLINICAL RESEARCH:
In a
trial involving 306 patients suffering from wind, cold, damp impediment pain,
81.4% were cured after a course of treatment with this formula and 14.4%
registered at least some improvement. This resulting in a total amelioration
rate of 95.8%.