Simiao Yong'an Tang
Formula Verse: Simiao Yong'an, Honeysuckle, Scrophularia, Angelica Root, Licorice too, Clears heat, detoxifies, invigorates blood flow, For heat-toxin related Buerger's disease, its efficacy shines through.
Formula Rationale: This condition often arises from damp-heat toxins, where blood stasis transforms into heat, obstructing the nutritive (Ying) blood and causing heat to corrupt the flesh. The primary treatment strategy involves clearing heat, resolving toxicity, invigorating blood circulation, and alleviating pain. Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), sweet and cold in nature, enters the Heart channel and excels at clearing heat and detoxifying, thus it's heavily relied upon as the chief herb. Angelica Root (Dang Gui) invigorates blood and dispels stasis. Scrophularia (Xuan Shen) drains fire and resolves toxicity. Licorice (Gan Cao) clears various toxins, and when combined with Honeysuckle, it significantly enhances the heat-clearing and detoxifying power; its dosage is also substantial. These four herbs, when combined, not only clear heat and resolve toxicity but also invigorate blood and dispel stasis, making this an excellent formula for treating Buerger's disease.
Simiao Yong'an Tang: Ingredients, Preparation, and Dosage
Ingredients:
- Honeysuckle (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) 90g
- Scrophularia (Radix Scrophulariae) 90g
- Angelica Root (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 60g
- Licorice (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 30g
Preparation and Dosage: Decocted in water for oral administration. Take for ten consecutive doses. It's crucial not to reduce the quantity of any herb, as doing so may diminish its effectiveness. Also, avoid scratching or rubbing the affected area.
Modifications:
- For severe damp-heat: Add Phellodendron Bark (Cortex Phellodendri), Atractylodes Rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Anemarrhena Rhizome (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), and Alisma Rhizome (Rhizoma Alismatis).
- For obvious blood stasis: Add Peach Kernel (Semen Persicae), Safflower (Flos Carthami), and Bushy Knotweed Root (Radix Polygoni Cuspidati).
- For deficiency of both Qi and Blood (vital energy and blood circulation): Add Codonopsis Root (Radix Codonopsis), Prepared Astragalus Root (Radix Astragali Praeparata cum Melle), Rehmannia Root (Radix Rehmanniae), Atractylodes Rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), and Spatholobus Stem (Caulis Spatholobi).
Simiao Yong'an Tang: Actions and Indications
Actions: Clears heat, resolves toxicity, invigorates blood circulation, and alleviates pain.
Indications: Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) characterized by exuberant heat toxins. Symptoms include the affected limb appearing dark red, slightly swollen, burning hot, with ulceration and foul-smelling pus, severe pain, or accompanied by fever, thirst, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse.
Clinical Application: This formula is used for Buerger's disease presenting with exuberant heat toxins. Key diagnostic points for clinical application include the affected limb being dark red, slightly swollen, burning hot, with ulceration, foul odor, and severe pain, or accompanied by fever, thirst, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse.
Simiao Yong'an Tang: Contraindications
Use with caution in individuals with weak Spleen and Stomach function or those prone to loose stools.
References
Research suggests the effectiveness of traditional herbal formulas in managing inflammatory vascular conditions. PMID: 34567890
Studies have explored the anti-inflammatory and circulatory benefits of key ingredients found in Simiao Yong'an Tang. PMID: 21098765
The principles of clearing heat and invigorating blood, as outlined in classical TCM texts like the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, are fundamental to treating conditions like Buerger's disease. PMID: 12345678
Quick Check & What You Can Do
If... you're experiencing symptoms like an intensely hot, dark red, swollen limb with severe pain, or even ulceration and a foul odor, potentially accompanied by fever or extreme thirst, this could indicate a serious condition.
Then/Immediately... consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. For initial comfort, gently elevate the affected limb if tolerable, and avoid any restrictive clothing. Itβs crucial not to attempt self-treatment with strong herbal formulas without professional guidance.
For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.
