CHINA MED BACK & KNEES FORMULA YAO TUI TONG SHEN XIAO FANG

CHINAMED BACK & KNEES FORMULA YAO TUI TONG SHEN XIAO FANG

This is a variant on the classic formula Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan (Du huo & Loranthus Formula), which was first recorded in Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces for Emergencies(bei ji qian jin yao fang), by Sun Si-miao (late 7th Century). The original formula was designed to treat chronic painful obstruction (bi) syndromes due to Wind-Cold-Damp, in which the health Qi (zheng qi) has become deficient. This corresponds to chronic arthritis in Western medicine. The original formula has been modified so that the focus of its action is on the back and lower body. In addition, the chronic nature of these conditions is addressed with the inclusion of several herbs that activate the Blood to dispel Blood stasis, along with the tonifying ingredients.

The key clinical features include: chronic condition, cold (joints are not red, nor hot to the touch), muscular weakness, wasting and possibly also flaccidity. The long term effect of retained Wind-Cold-Damp pathogens is to deplete the Blood as well as the Kidney and Liver. Moreover, the obstruction caused by the retained pathogens leads to Blood stasis, characterized by localized pain, which is fairly constant. Therefore a balanced mixture of both dispersing and tonifying ingredients is required for the treatment of such conditions.

Ingredients:
– Rehmannia glutinosa, prepared root 熟地黃 196.2 mg
– Loranthus parasiticus, stem 桑寄生 196.2 mg
– Paeonia lactiflora, root 白芍 196.2 mg
– Angelica pubescens, root 獨活 156.6 mg
– Ligusticum striatum, root 川芎 117.0 mg
– Cyathula officinalis, root 川牛膝 117.0 mg
– Eucommia ulmoides, stem bark 杜仲 117.0 mg
– Angelica polymorpha, root 當歸 117.0 mg
– Notopterygium incisum, root and rhiz. 薑活 117.0 mg
– Chaenomeles speciosa, fruit 木瓜 117.0 mg
– Dipsacus asper, root 續斷 117.0 mg
– Cinnamomum cassia, twig 桂枝 117.0 mg
– Cyperus rotundus, rhizome 香附 79.2 mg

See also comments on ARTHRITIS Formula (CM107).

Signs & Symptoms
– Lumbago
– Sciatica
– Arthritis
– Rheumatoid arthritis
– Arthritis of the lower body (lower back, hips knees and toes)
– Pain and weakness in lower back
– Pain, chronic knee

Dosage & Course of Treatment
– 3 – 4 capsules, 2 – 3 times daily.
– In severe cases and in the early stages of treatment (first 1- 2 weeks) the dosage may be increased by 50%.
– Course of treatment: 3 – 6 months, or ongoing (e.g. elderly patients).
– Safe to use long term.

Cautions & Contraindications
– Avoid foods that may aggravate arthritis (e.g. sugar, caffeine, citrus, salt, red meat, dairy products, additives, soft drinks, white flour, nightshades, white potatoes, tobacco).
– Avoid saturated & hydrogenated fats. Caution for those on anti-coagulant medications (i.e. Heparin, warfarin or aspirin).