BLACK PEARL BP009 DU HUO JI SHENG WAN DU HUO & LORANTHUS

BLACK PEARL DU HUO JI SHENG WAN DU HUO & LORANTHUS – BP009

This formula was first recorded in ‘Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces for Emergencies’ (bei ji qian jin yao fang), by Sun Si-miao (end 7th Century), a 30 volume work that, together with an additional 30 volume supplement, is a compilation of medical knowledge to that date. The original formula was designed to treat chronic painful obstruction (bi) syndromes, in which the health Qi (zheng qi) has become deficient.

In order to accomplish this, it contains both tonifying and pathogen dispelling (i.e. Wind- Cold –Damp dispelling) medicinals in balanced proportions. Thus it is designed for long term or ongoing use in arthritic and rheumatic disorders. In addition, this formula is also effective in some conditions with muscular weakness and flaccidity, e.g. the sequelae of stroke, with Liver-Kidney deficiency and Wind obstructing the Channels and Collaterals.

Although originally intended to treat the lower body, it has been shown in clinical studies to be equally effective for disorders of the upper limbs and neck. The key clinical features are: chronic condition, cold (joints are not red, nor hot to the touch), muscular weakness, wasting and possibly also flaccidity. The Sun Herbal variant has been enhanced with the addition of Cynanchum root (xu chang qing), and Clematis root & rhizome (wei ling xian), which serve as an effective substitutes for Asarum herb (xi xin). The latter herb generally contains a variable amount of aristolochic acid, which is toxic.

Ingredients:

– Loranthus parasiticus, stem 桑寄生 35.0 mg
– Corydalis turtschaninovii, rhizome 延胡索 35.0 mg
– Rehmannia glutinosa, prepared root 熟地黃 28.0 mg
– Angelica pubescens, root 獨活 28.0 mg
– Eucommia ulmoides, stem bark 杜仲 28.0 mg
– Achyranthes bidentata, root 牛膝 28.0 mg
– Gentiana macrophylla, root 秦艽 28.0 mg
– Wolfiporia cocos, hyphae 茯苓 28.0 mg
– Angelica polymorpha, root 當歸 28.0 mg
– Paeonia obovata, root 赤芍 28.0 mg
– Ligusticum striatum, root 川芎 21.0 mg
– Saposhnikovia divaricata, root 防風 21.0 mg
– Cinnamomum cassia, stem bark 肉桂 21.0 mg
– Cynanchum stauntonii, root 徐長卿 21.0 mg

ChinaMed approximate equivalent ARTHRITIS Formula (CM107)

Signs & Symptoms
– Sciatica
– Arthritis
– Pain and weakness in lower back
– Numbness and tingling in the extremities
– Lumbar pain
– Pain, chronic knee
– Joint stiffness
– Worse for cold and wet weather
– Arthralgia (joint pain)
– Poliomyelitis, sequelae

Dosage & Course of Treatment
8 – 12 pillules, 3 times daily, half to one hour away from food. In severe cases and in the early stages of treatment (first 1 – 2 weeks) the dosage may be increased by 50 – 100%.

Course of treatment: For acute conditions 1 – 2 weeks at high dosage. For chronic conditions may be used for longer periods when combined with a tonic formula.

Cautions & Contraindications
– Not to be used during pregnancy.
– Avoid foods that may aggravate arthritis (e.g. sugar, caffeine, citrus, salt, red meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, nightshades, white potatoes), smoking, saturated fats and hydrogenated fats.
– Caution for those on anti-coagulant medications (i.e. Heparin, warfarin or aspirin).