bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage Gentian (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae)
3gm bubble_chart Efficacy
Invigorating blood and resolving stasis, dispersing wind, eliminating dampness, and relieving pain.
bubble_chart Indications
Pain in the shoulders, arms, lower back, legs, or throughout the muscles and joints, with a fixed location of pain, caused by blood stasis obstructing the meridians. The tongue texture is dark purple or has ecchymosis, and the pulse is deep and wiry.
bubble_chart Formula Principles
Dysmenorrhea that persists for a long time and is accompanied by poor circulation of qi and blood is most likely to cause static blood stasis, leading to increased pain in the limbs and joints upon pressure, as well as cyanosis of the lips and tongue. The prescription uses Peach Kernel, Carthamus, Chinese Angelica, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, and myrrh to invigorate blood and resolve stasis, thereby relieving pain; Trogopterus Dung and Earthworm to dispel stasis and unblock collaterals; Gentian and Notopterygium to expel wind-dampness throughout the body; Cyperus to regulate qi and relieve pain; Achyranthes Root to strengthen tendons and bones; and Liquorice Root to harmonize the effects of the various herbs. This combination of herbs functions to promote the circulation of qi and blood, alleviate blood stasis, and treat chronic pain that has penetrated the collaterals.
bubble_chart Syndrome Differentiation
- Neuralgia arthralgia belongs to blood stasis qi stagnation.
- The pain is fixed in location.
- The tongue texture is purple or has ecchymosis.
- The pulse is deep and wiry or deep and choppy.
bubble_chart Formula Modification
- For those with a bias towards the upper limbs: add Turmeric, Saposhnikovia Root, Cinnamon Twig.
- For those with a bias towards the waist and legs: add Pubescent Angelica, Sichuan Lovage, Achyranthes Root, Chinese Taxillus Herb.
- For hemiplegia with wandering pain: add Saposhnikovia Root.
- For those with a bias towards cold and severe pulling pain: add Cinnamon Twig, Asarum.
- For those with a bias towards dampness, slight swelling, and pain: add Stephania Tetrandra, Coix Seed, Atractylodes Rhizome.
- For joint stiffness and difficulty in flexion and extension: add Common Clubmoss Herb, scorpion, centipede.
- For dampness-heat with red and swollen joints: add Atractylodes Rhizome, Phellodendron Bark, Stephania Tetrandra.
- For prolonged pestilent qi deficiency: add Ginseng, Astragalus Root.
bubble_chart Modern Application
This formula dilates blood vessels, promotes blood circulation, relieves pain, reduces inflammation, and combats wind-dampness. It is used for periarthritis of the shoulder, frozen shoulder, wind-dampness arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, neuralgia, ankylosing spondylitis, limb numbness, myalgia, and myositis.