Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Special Pill
Chinese Prescription: Xiao Huo Luo Dan
English Translation: Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Special Pill
Formula Type: Dredge & Dispere External Wind
Actions: Dispels wind, eliminates dampness, transforms phlegm, invigorates the blood, unblocks the collaterals, & alleviates pain.
Indications: Chronic pain, weakness, & numbness (especially in the lower extremities) due to wind-stroke. Also for fixed or migrating pain in the bones & joints with reduced range of motion due to wind-cold-damp painful obstruction. In both conditions, the symptoms are aggravated by cold. The tongue coating is white & moist.
Contraindications: Because this formula is quite harsh, warming, & drying, it should only be prescribed for individuals with a relatively strong constituion. It is contraindicated in those with yin deficiency or during pregnancy. Zhi means prepared. This is usually prepared into pills. If prepared as decoction, the dosages are reduced appropriately.
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Cao Wu / Aconite Root, Wild - treated |
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Warm Interior & Expel Cold • Sub Category: |
Dosage1.5-9g, cook 30-60 minutes bere adding other ingredients to decoction |
ActionsHas properties & actions that are similar to chuan wu, but is both stronger & more toxic. Used only rarely. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsSee fu zi. Stronger & more toxic than fu zi & wou tou. Rarely used. |
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Chuan Wu / Sichuan Aconite Carmichaeli Root, treated (Wu Tou) |
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Warm Interior & Expel Cold • Sub Category: |
Dosage1.5-9g, cook 30-60 minutes bere adding other ingredients to decoction |
ActionsUsed to expel wind-dampness, disperse cold, & alleviate pain in the treatment of such disorders as damp-cold painful obstruction, cold & pain in the chest & abdomen, intense headaches, & pain from trauma. It is more effective than fu zi in dispelling cold & alleviating pain, but is more toxic & has less tonifying properties. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsVery toxic. Same contraindications as fu zi. |
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Tian Nan Xing / Jack-in-the-pulpit Rhizome |
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold |
Dosage4.5-9g treated, 0.3-1g untreated in pill or powder only |
Actions1. Dries dampness & expels phlegm: for cough & a stifling & distended sensation in the chest due to stubborn phlegm. This herb is extremely drying in nature.
2. Disperses wind-phlegm in the channels & stops spasms: for disorders in which wind & phlegm obstuct the channels cuasing dizziness, numbness in the limbs, facial paralysis, spasms in the hands or feet, opisthotonos, stroke, seizures, or lockjaw.
3. Reduces swelling & alleviates pain: used topically for such problems as deep-rooted sores, ulcers, & carbuncles. Also for swelling due to traumatic injury. |
MeridiansLiver, Lung, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency, dry phlegm, or heat & dryness of the Lung. Also contraindicated during pregnancy. Toxic. If raw tian nan xing is eaten, irritation to the oral cavity will occur; in extreme cases, this irritation can progress to necrosis, dry & scratchy throat, edema & numbness of the tongue & lips, increase in saliva production, & problems with the voice. |
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Mo Yao / Myrrh |
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood |
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Invigorates the blood & dispels blood stasis, reduces swelling & alleviates pain: for problems due to blood stasis, including pain from trauma, sores, carbuncles, swellings, immobile abdominal masses, painful obstruction, chest pain, abdominal pain, & amenorrhea.
2. Promotes healing: used topically to promote the healing of chronic nonhealing sores. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated during pregnancy & in cases of excessive uterine bleeding. |
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Ru Xiang / Frankincense |
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood |
Dosage3-9g |
ActionsHeart, Liver, Spleen |
MeridiansContraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution in cases of Spleen deficiency. |
Cautions |
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Di Long / Earthworm |
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Taste: Salty • Temperature: Cold • Category: Extinguish Wind • Sub Category: |
Dosage4.5-12g, effects enhanced by washing in wine |
Actions1. Drains heat & stops spasms & convulsions: for high, strong fevers with convulsions & seizures. Can be used alone. Recently also used for schizophrenia of the hot manic type.
2. Calms wheezing: for wheezing, especially due to Lung heat.
3. Clears heat & unblocks & promotes movement in the channels & collaterals: for swollen & painful joints with reduced range of motion. Most commonly used for hot painful obstruction, but with other appropriate substances can also be used for cold painful obstruction. Also used for hemiplegia due to lack of flow in the channels, such as sequelae of wind-stroke.
4. Clears heat & promotes urination: for hot painful urinary dysfunction, & in severe cases, edema. Especially useful for problems due to heat clumping in the Bladder with urinary difficulty or inability to urinate.
5. Also used recently for hypertension associated with ascendant Live yang patterns. |
MeridiansBladder, Liver, Lung, Spleen |
CautionsNone. |