Sentry Page Protection
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:
Other types of Paralysis recognised today include:
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 lameness associated with Paralysis.
Several types were recognised:
- Palsy–Paralysis
- Dead Palsy–Paralysis with loss of sensation
- Shaking Palsy–Parkinsonism
Other types of Paralysis recognised today include:
- Hemiplegia–Paralysis of one side of the body
- Paraplegia–Paralysis that usually affects the legs, sometimes the lower body or arms
- Quadriplegia–Paralysis that affects all the lmibs, often from damage to the spinal cord
- Facial Paralysis–loss of movement of one or both sides of the face
- Bell's Palsy–weakness or Paralysis of one side of the face
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 lameness associated with Paralysis.
Special Formula:
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. This is for Wind-Phlegm Paralysis. 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. |