TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS
Gangrene
Gangrene is the death of body tissue (necrosis) caused by a severe lack of blood supply (ischemia) or serious bacterial infection.
There are several types of Gangrene:
- Dry Gangrene: where blood supply to tissue is cut off, causing the area to turn brown to blackish-blue, dry up, and shrink.
- Wet Gangrene: when bacterial infections infect the tissue, causing swelling and pus and a foul smell. It often spreads quickly.
- Gas Gangrene: dangerous type caused by Clostridium bacteria that produces gas within tissues, usually associated with deep wound infections.
- Internal Gangrene: Occurs when blood flow to an internal organ (e.g., appendix, gallbladder, intestines) is blocked.
- Necrotizing Fasciitis: A rapidly spreading infection that destroys the tissue under the skin
Causes & Risk Factors
- Diabetes: high blood sugar damages capillaries
- Vascular Disease: Atherosclerosis (hardened arteries) and peripheral arterial disease restrict blood flow
- Serious Trauma: Trauma, or Bruising that allows infection to enter
- Smoking: hinders circulation
Modern Medical treatment includes Antibiotics (in case of infection), Surgery (to remove damaged tissue or restore circulation), and in serious cases, amputation.
Western Tradition
Internal Use
Decoction Liberans
Tincture of Myrrh
Tincture of Myrrh and Aloes
Topical application
Wormwood
Camomile
Black Nightshade
Aloe
Myrrh
Blessed Thistle
Niter
Verdigris
1. “Spirit of Wine has a notable Balsamic faculty, and powerfully resists Putrefaction, though but outwardly applied, it has been found of late one of the Potentest Remedies against Gangrenes”. (Boyle, out of Salmon)
Chinese Classification
Qi Deficiency
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Blood Deficiency with Cold
Dang Gui Si NI Tang
Coldness Obstructing Circulation
Wu Mei Wan
Blood Stasis with Toxicity
Mi Miao Yong An Tang
Pulmonary Gangrene from Phlegm and Heat
Jie Geng Tang (Platycodon Jie Geng + Licorice)
Da Qing Long Tang
Special Formulas
DECOCTION FOR GANGRENE
(Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)
Horehound
Pennyroyal
Rue
Rosemary
Sage
Scordium 1 part ea.
Camomile
Rose
Elder 2 parts ea.
Marshmallow 6 parts
Fenugreek 8 parts
Linseed 24 parts
DECOCTION FOR GANGRENE
(Dispensatorium medico pharmaceuticum Palatinatus, 1764)
Yarrow
Wormwood 6 drams ea.
Scordium
Sage
Hyssop
Rue
Elder flower
St. Johns wort ½ oz. ea.
Rose 1 oz.
Myrrh 6 drams
Aloes
Asafetida ½ oz. ea.
Either of these can be decocted in 5 parts water and 2 parts vinegar and are applied with a flannel, changing regularly. A little Camphorated Spirit can be added to make it stronger.
POWDER FOR GANGRENE
Unslaked Lime 3 parts
Arsenic 1 part
Make a paste with strong vinegar, form pills and dry in the sun. Powder and sprinkle over the Gangrene. (Syrian “Book of Medicine“)
SPIRIT FOR GANGRENE
Mastic
Myrrh
Frankincense
Amber 2 oz. each
Rectified Spirit of Wine 2 lbs.
Distill off the spirit for topical application. (Gazophylacium Medico-Physicum, Woyts, 1746)
Qi Deficiency
HUANG QI JIAN ZHONG TANG
Maltose (Yi Tang) 30 grams
Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi) 9 grams
Paeonia (Bai Shao) 18 grams
Fried Licorice (Zhi Gan Cao) 6 grams
Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) 9 grams
Jujube (Da Zao) 4 pieces
Astragalus (Huang Qi) 12 grams
Blood Stasis with Toxicity
SI MIAO YONG AN TANG
Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua)
Scrophularia (Xuan Shen)
Dang Gui 9 grams ea.
Cyathula Niu Xi is often added for Gangrene of the Fingers or Toes
Research:
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