TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS

Liver Hardness, Cirrhosis

Scirrhus of the Liver

“We have cured a Scirrhus of the Liver often in the beginning of it, but when it hath been of long continuance, neither could I, nor any other that I ever heard of, cure it”. (Galen)

Cirrhosis comes from fibrosis of the Liver due to long term damage or inflammation. Chronic alcohol abude, chronic Viral Hepatitis and Fatty Liver disease are common causes. Fatigue, indigestion, weight loss, and jaundice are commonly associated, and other symptoms such as confusion if the disease progresses.

In Western Medicine it is generally said to be incurable. However, Herbal medicine and Traditional Formulas may help or even reverse the condition if not too advanced. Certainly herbs along with diet and lifestyle modification can achieve good results.

In severe cases, Liver transplant is resorted to in Modern Medicine.

Western Tradition

Simples

Wormwood
Costus
Bitter Almond
Rhubarb
Gum Ammoniac

Agrimony
Orris
Asarum
Saffron
Black Nightshade

1. Costus (2 drams) taken in wine and water
2. Give 2 drams of Rhubarb with Milk. (Brunschwig, 1561)
3. “there was a strong Scirrhus cured by the use of Conserve of Horehound forty days together”. (Lusitanis)

Formulas

Hepatis Duritiei–Hardness of the Liver

Potion for Schirrhus of the Liver
Electuary of Saffron Greater (Diacurcuma Majores)
Electuary of Elecampane (Unani)
Troches of Agrimony
Troches of Wormwood Lesser (Mesue)
Troches of Wormwood Greater (Mesue)
Troches of Rhubarb (Mesue)
Troches of Gum Lacca (Mesue)
Troches for Hardness of the Liver
Troches Praised for Liver Hardness (Nicholas)
Troches Proven for Hardness of the Liver (Nicholas)
Dialacca Major (Mesue)
Pills of Agrimony Lesser (Mesue)
Pills for Fibrosis of the Liver (Riverius)
Tincture Against Schirrus of the Spleen
Oil of Sesame
Ointment Martiatum
Diachilon Simplex
Plaster of Meliot
Plaster of Sesame
Plaster of Diachilon
Plaster of Meliot
Cerate of Hyssop

TCM Classification

Simples

Salvia Dan Shen
Sophora Ku Shen
Peach kernel (Tao Ren)
Zedoary (E Zhu)

Notoginseng San Qi
Artemisia Yin Chen Hao
Safflower (Hong Hua)
Rhubarb (Da Huang)

Formulas

Qi Stagnation (Early Stages)

Xiao Yao San
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San

Damp Heat (Early Stages)

Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang

Blood Stasis (Chronic)

Blood stasis is associated with chronic cases; there may be sharp pain, dull complexion, cyanosis of the lips, nails and tongue
Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan

Yang Deficiency (With ascites)

Fu Zi Tang
Zhen Wu Tang

Special Formula

1. “He is to drink daily a dram of the seed of Agnus Castus, tempered with Cumin, and Fennel Water” (Wirtzung)
2. Oil of Walnuts taken with infusion of Fenugreek, Rue, Spikenard.
3. Oil of Spikenard or Costus (2 spoonfuls) taken in an infusion of Rue and Dill, taken for 7 days.

HARDNESS OF THE LIVER (WITH NO HEAT)

i. Liverwort and Celery juice boiled in wine or water. (Brunschwig, 1561)
ii. Fenugreek, Rue
    Spikenard, Cypress
      nuts                                equal parts
Prepare an infusion, take with some Oil of Walnuts, continue for 3 days. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘, Budge, 1913)
iii. Costus, Agrimony
    Fenugreek, Raisins        equal parts
Prepare an infusion, take with some Oil of Walnuts, continue for 3 days. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘, Budge, 1913)
iv. Wormwood, Rhubarb,
    Costus, Rue, Mastic,
    Pepper, Raisins
Prepare an infusion
v. Gentian, Wormwood,
    Asarum, Costus
    Agrimony, Madder,
    Rue, Mastic, Thyme,
    Raisin

MYROBALAN POWDER

For Liver Hardness and Tumors
    Black Myrobalan
    Chebulic Myrobalan   40 drams ea.
    Celery seed
    Aniseed
    Fennel seed                    5 drams ea.
Powder, traditionally taken with Camel Milk (Pharmacopoeia Persica, 1681)

TROCHES FOR THE LIVER OF ALEXANDER

    Almonds cleansed
    Wormwood
    Asarum
    Anise
    Celery seed                   equal parts
Form troches with water. Used for Hardness and Inflammation of the Liver. Rhubarb was sometimes added.

ELECTUARY OF GENTIAN

    Gentian
    Pepper                             10 drams each
    Costus
    Indian leaf
    Spikenard
    Rhubarb                           1 oz. each
    Honey                               sufficient
Form an Electuary. Hardness of the Liver, Pain and obstruction of the Liver, Stomach, Spleen and Kidneys.
Dose: 1 dram (Syrian “Book of Medicine“, trans. by Wallis Budge, 1913)

TROCHES FOR LIVER OBSTRUCTION

    Mastic
    Agrimony juice
    Wormwood juice
    Fennel seed
    Annis                               2 drams ea.
    Rhubarb                         8 drams
    Madder
    Lacca                              4 drams ea.
    Celery seed
    Agrimony
    Annis                               3 drams ea.
Form Troches. Used for obstruction or Hardness of the Liver or Spleen.

PILLS FOR INVETERATE LIVER HARDNESS

“If the hardness be very great, you must give these Pills following, many days together:
    Gum Ammoniac
      dissolved in vinegar  2 drams
    Bdellium, Storax          4 scruples ea.
Form pills, take 1 dram every day. (The Practice of Physick, 1663)

DEN SHEN TAO XIONG TANG

    Salvia Dan Shen
    Peach kernel (Tao Ren)
    Ligusticum Chuan Xiong
It has demonstrated efficacy in Liver fibrosis.

YIN CHEN HAO TANG

    Artemisia Yin Chen Hao
    Rhubarb (Da Huang)
    Gardenia Zhi Zi
This has also demonstrated efficacy.

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