JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE NUMBER 66 JUNE 2001


treatment using less bitter medicines that remove heat, emphasising rather draining dampness and bolstering the spleens function. To this end the formula was changed, removing the majority of the harsh bitter medicines.


Long Dan Cao 6 Zhi Zi 9


Che Qian Zi 12 Mu Tong 9 Gan Cao 9


Although clearly generated by damp and heat in the Liver and Gall Bladder, this is a much drier pattern than case number one. A close examination of the skin revealed, dry vesicles that were always reabsorbed. Erythema of both the palms and the anterior aspect of the arms was intense. Taken together this is clear indication for the need to emphasis the lighter fire toxin resolving medicine, along with medicines for cooling the blood. Although damp heat draining medicine is still used, it is of lesser significance. For the same reasons, external soaks were not prescribed. Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao together are said to transform


Case 3. Woman age 29 Two years prior to her initial consultation, following severe and persistent emotional stress, she developed pompholyx eczema on the palms of her hands. Although she had almost continual eruptions, the vesicles were always reabsorbed without discharging. 3 months ago, associated with re- newed emotional strain, the eczema flared and spread up the arms. The itching was most intense at night. This disrupted her sleep, compounding the problem. Otherwise her general health was okay. Pulse Wiry, Thready


Tongue , Greasy yellow coating, red sides and tip. 1.


Jin Yin Hua 15 Lian Qiao 12 Ye Ju Hua 12 Da Qing Ye 12 Huang Qin 9 Bai Xian Pi 12 Bai Ji Li 15 Mu Dan Pi 9 Chi Shao 9


24


as well as resolve fire toxin. This is more appropriate for fire toxin that as it were sits on the surface of the skin. To use heavy fire toxin resolving medicine will encourage draw- ing the fire toxin downwards to be assimilated and dealt with more deeply in the body. By contrast transforming fire toxin, allows it be vented more superficially and less com- plicatedly from the surface of the skin. The above formula formed the core of prescriptions used for the initial 9 weeks of treatment. By week 3 the majority of the eczema of the arms has declared. By week 9 the palms were clear, with only minor dryness and desquamation. To consolidate the improvement, the following formula was used for a further 4 weeks (2 weeks full dose, 2 weeks half dose). As can be seen it is centred around regulating the liver, and clearing stagnant heat. Lighter fire toxin medi- cines still feature.


2.


Chai Hu 9 Bai Shao 15 Chi Shao 9 Mu Ddan Pi 9 Jin Yin Hua 12 Bai Ji Li 15 Huang Qin 9 Zhi Zi 9


Da Qing Ye 9 Gan Cao 6


Case 4. Woman age 34 She has suffered with pompholyx eczema of the palm since


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12