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Epilepsy & Convulsions



Epilepsy and Convulsions are classic 'Wind' diseases. As with other Wind diseases, Wind can come with Heat, Phlegm and is either excess or deficient.
1. Wind-Heat can be acute or chronic; acute cases may be associated with Fever, especially Convulsions. Convulsions are more violent and there is irritability, restlessness.
2. Wind-Phlegm Convulsions lack Heat symptoms, and there is typically excess Phlegm, frothing at the mouth during convulsions, and a sound of phlegm gurgling in the Throat.
3. Deficient type Convulsions are treated with tonic medicines. The patient will be weak and the Convulsions not as violent as those with Heat or Excess.
Often medicines to calm the Mind or Spirit are used in addition to medicines that treat the underlying cause.

Acute and Febrile Convulsions can be dangerous and life-threatening, especially in Children. Fever must be reduced and emergency medical attention should be called immediately.
Western Tradition

Primary Compounds used for Epilepsy:
Epilepsia–Epilepsy

Hyssop
Stoechas
Lapis Lazuli
Conserve of Betony
Vinegar of Squill
Oxymel of Squill
Syrup of Stoechas (Fernelius)
Powder of Crabs Claw (Countess of Kents Powder)
Powder of Mistletoes (Gabelhover)
Powder of Mistletoe and Peony (Gabelhover)
Powder for Epilepsy
Powder for Epilepsy (Bicker)
Powder for Epilepsy (Lewis)
Powder for Epilepsy (Quincy)
Powder for Epilepsy (Unani)
Powder for Epilepsy of Philon
Powder for Childhood Epilepsy (Riverius)
Troches of Agaric
Tincture of Nutmeg
Tincture of Sage
Tincture of Valerian
Blanca Nicolai
Sothyra Magna Nicolai
Oppopyra Nicolai
Extraordinary Confection for Epilepsy (Mesue)
Aromatic Musk Compound (Aromaticum Moschatum)
Confection of Alfesera (Diabryonias) (Democrites)
Diacastoreum
Restorative of Nicholas (Pleres Arconticon)
Hiera Hermetis
Hiera Logadii
Hiera Pachi, or Hiera Archigenis
Theriac of 4 Ingredients (Diatessaron)
Theriac Magna
Mithridate
Pills of Niter
Oil of Pepper
Ointment of Bdellium


Epilepsy from Wind-Phlegm

Decoction to Warm the Head
Cephalic Decoction (Charras)
Oxymel of Squill
Cephalic Powder
Powder for Epilepsy (Quincy)
Powder for Childhood Epilepsy (Riverius)
Powder for Epilepsy of Grulingus
Powder for Epilepsy of Philon
Electuary of Calamus (Diacorum) (Mesue)
Electuary of Peony
Confection of Alfesera (Diabryonias) (Democrites)
Extraordinary Confection for Epilepsy
Antidotum Epilepticus (Nicholas)
Foetid Pills Minor of Galen
Foetid Pills Major of Galen


Epilepsy from Wind-Heat

Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas)
Powder of Crabs Claw (Countess of Kents Powder)
Epileptic Powder (Mynsichts)
Powder Against Epilepsy (De Gutteta)
Tincture of Pearls


Epilepsy from Melancholy

Pills of Lapis Lazuli (Mesue)
Pills for Epilepsy from Melancholy of Serapion


Epilepsy from Blood Stagnation

Cephalic Powder


Epilepsy from Deficiency

Decoction to Strengthen the Head (Wirtzung)
Powder of Mistletoes (Gabelhover)
Powder of Mistletoe and Peony (Gabelhover)
Powder Against Epilepsy (De Gutteta)
Powder for Childhood Convulsions
Powder for Epilepsy of Philon
Restorative of Nicholas (Pleres Arconticon)
Electuary of Calamus (Diacorum) (Mesue)
Electuary of Peony
Wonderful Confection for Cold Nerve Diseases
Tincture Against Convulsions
Triphala Electuary for Epilepsy (Itrifal Zabeeb)

TCM Classification

Note: in the following classifications, 'acute cases' listed after some of the formulas indicates those for acute episodes or acute convulsions; they are not for long-term use.

Wind Phlegm
change in mood before seizures, often sleeps after seizure, dull headache with a heavy head, stiffness of the neck, dizziness, vertigo, tiredness, weakness.

Ding Xian Wan
Su He Xiang Wan (acute cases)
Chen Xiang Tian Ma Tang
Zhu Li Da Tan Wan
Qing Re Zhen Jing Tang


Liver Wind Heat
restless, insomnia, headache, vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus, spasms and tics, blurred vision, red tongue

Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Zhi Jing San (Scorpion & Centipede Powder, equal parts)


Heat Toxin attacking the Heart
Fever, convulsions, delirium, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, .

Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan
Zi Bao Dan (acute cases)
Zi Xue Dan (acute cases)


Phlegm Heat / Fire
disease suddenly happen, severe restlessness, angry, red eyes, red face, no appetite, insomnia, loss of recognition of people, angry, destructive, very strong.

An Gong Niu Huang Wan (acute cases)
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Gun Tan Wan
Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Zi Bao Dan (acute cases)
Zi Xue Dan (acute cases)


Blood Stasis
seizures, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, fever at night, fixed pain in the head, dry scaly skin, stiff neck, dark complexion.

Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang


Qi and Blood Deficiency
seizures, fatigue, poor appetite, general weakness, stiffness or cramps of the muscles, dizziness, light headedness, spontaneous sweating.

Ba Zhen Tang


Spleen Qi Deficiency
long history of seizures, lethargy, fatigue, emaciation, poor appetite, nausea or vomiting, loose stools, pale complexion, weak pulse.

Liu Jun Zi Tang (with Calamus added)
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan


Yin Deficiency
long history of seizures, dull mental state, dark complexion, dizziness, tinnitus, dry sore eyes, withered ears, insomnia, forgetfulness, lower back pain, weak knees, nocturnal enuresis.

Da Ding Feng Zhu
Da Bu Yuan Jian
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Special Formula:
'Take the Matrix [Uterus] of a Sow the which being made into Powder you shall give to eat or to drink unto the patient, and as soonas he has received it, the sickness will remove from the Brain, and spread unto his finger ends, tormenting him very sore: but whereas the said matter shall assemble and come together make a rupture: and the matter will come out as yellow as Saffron, and he shall be quickly healed'. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)