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Copyright 2000 by Shen's Herbal Products
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CHINESE HERBS FOR ARTHRITISARTHRITIS
Bi Syndrome
In Chinese medicine, arthritis is called bi-syndrome. It is diagnosed according to the four examinations. Four kinds are recognized. Hot bi, cold bi, damp bi, and windy bi.Hot bi presents with pain, swelling, heat and redness in the joint(s). It is usually diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis or gouty arthritis. Putting heat on such an inflamed joint makes it feel worse.
Cold-bi and Damp-bi are usually diagnosed as osteoarthritis. This condition feels better when heat is applied. Moxabustion is often used with Cold-Bi syndrome. Damp-Bi syndrome gets worse when the weather gets damp. When sufferers go to a warm dry climate, they often feel better.
Windy-Bi acts like the wind. The pain moves about and migrates around the body. Like the wind, it can spring up unexpectedly and subside just as quickly. One week it's shoulder pain, the next, it's in the fingers.
Bi-Syndrome is caused by a weakening of the body's protective energy (Wei Qi). Weakened Qi permits the incursion of atmospheric forces (cold, heat, wind, and dampness). This invasion impedes the normal flow of Qi and results in pain and abnormal growth of tissue.
All kinds of arthritis are treatable with acupuncture and herbs. Normally treatment involves expelling and countering the pathogenic influence, relieving pain, and boosting the Wei Qi.Medicines commonly used include: Low Back Pills, Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan, Zheng Gu Shui China Tung Shui Pills,
Herbs are almost always used in combinations (formulae). Most substances used to counter bi-syndrome (arthritis) belong to the category Herbs to Expell Wind and Damp. Commonly used are:
WHITE PATTERNED SNAKE - AGKISTRODON - BAI HUA SHE
DUHUO ROOT - ANGELICAE PUBESCENS RADIX - DU HUO
GENTIAN ROOT - GENTIANAE MACROPHYLLAE - QIN JIAO
CHINESE CLEMATIS ROOT - CLEMATIDIS RADIX - WEI LING XIAN
SEA PAULOWNIA BARK - ERYTHRINAE CORTEX - HAI TONG PI
PAPAYA - CHAENOMELIS FRUCTUS - MU GUA
SILKWORM EXCREMENT - BOMBYCIS FAECES - CAN SHA
Research:
Osteoarthrosis of the Knee by Christensen BV; Iuhl IU; Vilbek H; Bulow HH; Dreijer NC; Rasmussen HF. Acupuncture treatment of severe knee osteoarthrosis. A long-term study. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavia, 1992 Aug, 36(6):519-25. (UI: 92383960) Pub type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial. AT: UCLA siomed W1 AC7175 (PE title: Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavia.)Abstract: PURPOSE: Acupuncture treatment of patients waiting for arthroplasty surgery. METHODS: 29 patients with osteoarthritic knees were randomized to two groups. Group A was treated while Group B served as a no-treatment control group. After 9 weeks Group B was treated too. Analgesic consumption, pain and objective measurements were registered. All objective measures were done by investigators who were "blinded" as to Group A & B. In the second part of the study 17 patients (26 knees) continued with treatments once a month. Registration of analgesic consumption, pain and objective measurements continued. Total study period 49 weeks.
RESULTS: Comparing Group A to B there was a significant reduction in pain, analgesic consumption and in most objective measures. In Group A + B combined there was an 80% subjective improvement, and a significantly increased knee range movement - an increase mainly in the worst knees. Results were significantly better in those who had not been ill for a long time. In the second part of the study, it was shown that it was possible to maintain the improvements.
CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture can ease the discomfort while waiting for an operation and perhaps even serve as an alternative to surgery. Seven patients have responded so well that at present they do not want an operation. (USD 9000 saved per operation).
Rheumatoid Arthritis by Xiao J; Liu X; Sun L; Ying S; Zhang Z; Li Q; Li H; Zhang Z; Jin B; Wang S. [Experimental study on the influence of acupuncture and moxibustion on interleukin-2 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. Chen Tzu Yen Chiu Acupuncture Research, 1992, 17(2):126-8, 132. Language: Chinese. (UI: 93169756) Pub type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial.
Abstract: In order to observe the effects of the treatment of RA with acupuncture and moxibustion, 41 patients were divided into warming needle and point injection groups at random, and 19 healthy subjects as control group. IL-2 levels were measured. Generally, IL-2 is considered as a very important signal for regulating immune response. The results showed that the IL-2 levels in two RA groups before treatment were obviously lower than that in control group (P 0.05). After treatment the IL-2 level in control group was unchanged, but increased considerably in two RA groups (P 0.01).
Our results have shown that the decrease of IL-2 in patients with RA should be one of main causes of internal environment disorder, acupuncture and moxibustion as a stress stimulation exerts an influence on the immunity system through neuroendocrine system to improve the IL-2 production.
© Copyright 2000 by Shen's Herbal Products
Web Design byJoel Schreck