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Paralysis
Palsy
Paralysis is a loss of function of a part or the whole body, sometimes with a loss of sensation. It may be a single part such as the hand or tongue, or of half of the body 9such as the left, right or lower body), or of the whole body.
Several types were recognised:
Paralysis can come from Disease, Injury or Poison. Brunschwig (1561) gave a number of causes which we have added a TCM equivalent diganosis:
Brunschwig then gives this interesting note:
'Sometimes is the cause, that the two Strings, coming down from the Brain through the backbone to the feet: through the one goes the Natural Heat [Yang], and through the other the Cold [Yin], that the same Strings are stopped, either the one or both. Wherefore, in whatsoever member is stopped this String, that the Natural Spirit [Qi] can not come into the same, its wastes lame'.
This clearly indicates Yin and Yang channels and the flow of Qi to each part.
As it is generally classed as a Wind disease, it is treated with medicines that settle Wind in combination with medicines appropriated to the individual.
In addition to Medicine, internal and external, Cupping, Massage, Bloodletting, Acupuncture, Moxa, Baths etc. can be very useful. When Bloodletting is used, it is often performed on the opposite side to the Paralysis.
Pig feet made into a Soup with Turnips strengthens Sinews in lamness associated with Paralysis.
Several types were recognised:
- Palsy: Paralysis
- Dead Palsy: Paralysis with loss of sensation
- Shaking Palsy: Parkinsonism
Paralysis can come from Disease, Injury or Poison. Brunschwig (1561) gave a number of causes which we have added a TCM equivalent diganosis:
- Anger: Liver Heat–clear Liver Heat
- Cold: Wind-Cold-Damp–avoid Cold foods, use warming medicines internally and externally
- Excess Eating and Drinking: Phlegm and Damp obstruction–Fasting, Purging
- Excess Blood which overwhelms the Heart: Liver Heat causing Wind–Bleeding is indicated
- Excess Sex: Kidney Deficiency–abstinence, Kidney tonics
- Unresolved Trauma: Blood Stagnation, or damage to a Nerve–Nourish Yin
Brunschwig then gives this interesting note:
'Sometimes is the cause, that the two Strings, coming down from the Brain through the backbone to the feet: through the one goes the Natural Heat [Yang], and through the other the Cold [Yin], that the same Strings are stopped, either the one or both. Wherefore, in whatsoever member is stopped this String, that the Natural Spirit [Qi] can not come into the same, its wastes lame'.
This clearly indicates Yin and Yang channels and the flow of Qi to each part.
As it is generally classed as a Wind disease, it is treated with medicines that settle Wind in combination with medicines appropriated to the individual.
In addition to Medicine, internal and external, Cupping, Massage, Bloodletting, Acupuncture, Moxa, Baths etc. can be very useful. When Bloodletting is used, it is often performed on the opposite side to the Paralysis.
Pig feet made into a Soup with Turnips strengthens Sinews in lamness associated with Paralysis.
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Western Tradition
Paralysi prosunt–Benefit Paralysis
Decoction for Paralysis (Praxis Medicinae) Decoction to Strengthen the Head (Wirtzung) Syrup of Stoechas (Judeus) Syrup of Stoechas (Fernelius) Syrup of Ivy Syrup of Sage juice Conserve of Calamus Tincture of Juniper Berry Tincture for Paralysis Powder of Rosemary Compound (Dianthos) (Nicholas) Powder for Paralysis and Vertigo (Nicholas) Compound for Paralysis (Salerno) Confection of Alfesera (Diabryonias) (Democrites) Electuary of Calamus (Diacorum) (Mesue) Electuary for Paralysis (Wirtzung) Electuary for Crass and Viscid Humors (Azaricon) Wonderful Confection for Cold Nerve Diseases Blanca (Nicholas) Confection of Musk Diacastoreum Theriac of 4 Ingredients (Diatessaron) Hiera Hermetis Hiera Logadii Pills of Opopanax Pills of Euphorbium (Mesue) Mithridate Oil of Pepper Oil of the Philosophers Oil Against Paralysis Oil of Castoreum Oil of Foxes Oil of Earthworms Ointment of Bdellium Ointment Martiatum Confect of Musk with Gems (Dawaul Misk Har Jawahar) Pills of Mother of Pearl (Tibetan Medicine) Pills of Nux Vomica (Habbe Azaraqi) Electuary of Nux Vomica (Majun Azaraqi) Catechu 25 (Seng ldeng 25) (Tibetan Medicine) Wish-fulfilling Jewel (Bsam phel nor bu) (Tibetan) Facial Paralysis Many of the Formulas for Paralysis were also used for Facial Paralysis Electuary for Facial Paralysis Pills of Nux Vomica (Habbe Azaraqi) Paralysim purgant–Purge in Paralysis Blanca (Nicholas) Hiera Hermetis Hiera Logadii Pills of Sagapen Pills of Euphorbium (Mesue) Pills of Opopanax Paralysis from Deficiency Decoction to Strengthen the Head (Wirtzung) Tincture for Paralysis Powder of Rosemary Compound (Dianthos) (Nicholas) Electuary of Calamus (Diacorum) (Mesue) Electuary for Paralysis (Wirtzung) Wonderful Confection for Cold Nerve Diseases Catechu 25 (Seng ldeng 25) (Tibetan Medicine) Paralysis from Wind and Heat Pearl 25 (Mu tig nyer lnga) (Tibetan Medicine) Wish-fulfilling Jewel (Bsam phel nor bu) (Tibetan) Paralysis from Wind and Phlegm Confection of Alfesera (Diabryonias) (Democrites) Electuary for Crass and Viscid Humors (Azaricon) Pills of Opopanax (De Morbis internis curanda) Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan) Powder of Three Peppers (Diatrion Piperion) (Mesue) Externally: 1. Boil Brandy with Sage in it and let the vapor go to the part. This can be used for various types of Paralysis including Shaking Paralysis. (Brunschwig, 1561) 2. Cold-Damp Paralysis: Lavender, Sage, Cowslip, Rue, Juniper (1 handful each). Cover with a pint of Spirit and 1 quart of White Wine, put in a sealed pot and sit in a water bath. Rub the parts twice daily. |
TCM Classification
Paralysis
Internal Wind Paralysis with headache, dizziness, vertigo, tremors, tinnitus, hemiplegia Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin Qian Zheng San Pearl 25 (Mu tig nyer lnga) (Tibetan Medicine) Internal Wind with Yin Deficiency Paralysis with low energy, dry mouth and skin, crimson and dry or cracked tongue, night sweats, very weak pulse Da Ding Feng Zhu Cold, Wind and Damp Obstruction Numbness, stiffness and Paralysis, coldness, heaviness in the lower back and legs, maybe moving pains, Pale tongue with a white, moist coat and a tight or wiry or soft pulse. Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang Xiao Huo Luo Dan Shi Xiang Fan Sheng Wan Yin and Yang deficiency Paralysis, marked weakness, flaring heat due to Yin deficiency with hot symptoms in the upper body and cold and weakness in the lower body with back pain and weakness of legs; dry mouth, red tongue with greasy coat and a deep, weak, slippery pulse. Di Huang Yin Zi Blood Stasis with Qi Deficiency Paralysis of lower body, weakness, atrophy, frequent urine or incontinence, purplish color of lips, tongue and nails Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang ------------------------------------- Hemiplegia Wind-Heat Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin Pearl 25 (Mu tig nyer lnga) (Tibetan Medicine) Cold, Wind and Damp Obstruction Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang Qian Zheng San Xiao Huo Luo Dan Blood Stasis with Qi Deficiency Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang ------------------------------------- Facial Paralysis Wind-Heat Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin Wind obstruction Qian Zheng San Cold, Wind and Damp Obstruction Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang Qian Zheng San Blood Stasis with Qi Deficiency Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang |
Special Formula:
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SAGE & LAVENDER WINE OR SPIRIT
Sage Lavender 3 handfuls each Steep in 3 pints of Wine for 2 weeks. It can be distilled into a spirit or taken as it is. SYRUP FOR PARALYSIS: Calamus. half oz. Cowlsip 3 handfuls St. Johns wort Sage Betony Balm Rue Bay leaf 1 handful each Siler Montane Balsam Wood Balsam fruit Basil seed 2 drams each Licorice Currants Lavender flowers Amaranthus. 1 oz. each With Water (12 oz.) and clarified Honey (6 oz.), form a Syrup. (Wirtzung) SYRUP FOR PARALYSIS Calamus 2 oz. Stoechas Hyssop 1 oz. Calamint Oregano Aniseed Fennel seed Cinnamon 3 drams Fennel root Parsley root Asparagus root ½ oz. Sage Balm Betony Avens 1 handful each Sugar 1 pound Prepare a Syrup. Dose: 1½ ounces, taken with Infusion of Nutmeg. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615) DECOCTION AGAINST PARALYSIS OF SERAPION Celery root Fennel root 10 drams Schoenanth 6 drams Fennel seed Anise Parsley seed Seseleos Costus Centaury Pyrethrum Ginger Bishop's Weed Cardamon 4 drams Rue seed Nasturtium seed 3 drams Stoechas Belleric Myrobalan Emblic Myrobalan 8 drams Decoct in 7 lbs water to 1 lb. Give for 21 days with oil of Pepper or of Costus Dose: 1–2 oz. (De Morbis Internis Curandis, Mesue, 1551) |
PILLS OF EUPHORBIUM
Agaric Colocynth pulp Euphorbium Sagapen Bdellium 3 drams each Aloes. 2 drams Rub into a pill mass with Cabbage juice. Dose: 1 scruple–half dram. (Syrian "Book of Medicine", trans. by Wallis Budge, 1913) ANOTHER PURGATIVE: Gum Ammoniac. Bdellium Sagapen Aloes Opopanax Castoreum Rue seed 4 drams each Euphorbium 3 drams Colocynth pulp 7 drams Rub into a pill mass with Cabbage juice. Dose: 1 dram. (Syrian "Book of Medicine", trans. by Wallis Budge, 1913) OINTMENT OF BORAX "An ointment made from it [Borax], is useful in the treatment of Paralysis, especially in its advanced stage". (Avicenna) AN UNGENT FOR PARALYSIS: Pepper Pyrethrum Euphorbium Castoreum equal parts Beat them and mix with oil and use as an Ointment. (Syrian "Book of Medicine", trans. by Wallis Budge, 1913) PERSIAN OINTMENT Resin 45 drams Camphor oil 20 drams Wax 16 drams Opopanax 4 drams Galbanum 4 drams Form into an ointment. Apply on strips of linen cloth and apply to the part. |