12 Formulas for Trauma

The Purpose of our ’12 Formulas’ Pages are to illustrate
various formulas used to treat a specific condition on one page. 
This can be useful to help Practitioners develop their own Formulas.

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Ancient Physicians noted that unresolved Trauma often comes back later in life. A damaged joint often becomes arthritic in later life while damage to the sinews or nerves may cause problems in the limb or part later in life also. Likewise Tumors can sometimes develop as a result of a part being damaged. Therefore, resolving acute Trauma is viewed as very important in Traditional Medicine. TCM has a number of famous formulas used specifically following Trauma, to promote healing and resolve the Blood Stasis. These formulas are examples of those used in the West.

The following formulas are a good representation of Formulas used for Trauma, Bruising and Blood Stagnation. They can be used for Bruising, Strains and Sprains, as well as to help after Fractures or Dislocations. Some are also effective for Internal Blood Stagnation. Within the formulas, some clear Heat, some stop Bleeding, while some are more effective for Inflammation or moving the Blood.

In addition, based on the herbs used in each formula, it can be deduced what part of the body each formula is more specific to. Those with Comfrey and Centaury may be more suited to the bones and joints; those with Comfrey and Plantain are suited to wounds and bleeding of the Lungs; those with Mugwort and Ladies Mantle may be used for Trauma or Damage to the female reproductive organs etc.

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See also
Vulnerary Herbs
Trauma, Bruising, Wounds

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Tincture of Myrrh and Aloes   Myrrh   Aloes   Spirit of Wine (Brandy) 1 oz. each 1 pound. Prepare a tincture. 30 drops are taken in wine or another suitable vehicle. Lesser Powder for Bruising   Lacca   Myrrh   Armenian (Red) Earth 2 scruples each 1 ½ drams Powder. Take 1 scruple–1 dram with wine. Powder to Move Blood   Dragon’s Blood   Myrrh   Frankincense   Saffron 2 drams each ½ dram Powder. Take 1 scruple–½ dram with wine. (Wirtzung) Bruise Powder of Mesue   Rhubarb   Mumiya (Shilajit)   Madder 1 dram 2 grains 1 ½ grains Powder. Take 1 scruple–1 dram with wine. Powder for Bruising   Rhubarb   Mumiya (Shilajit)   Madder   Sealed Earth   Armenian (Red) Earth   Dragon’s Blood   Pomegranate flower   Comfrey root 1 dram ½ dram 1 dram 2 scruples 1 ½ drams Powder. Take 1–2 drams with wine. (Antidotarium Bononiense, 1641) Powder to Break Blood Above & Below   Comfrey root   Dragon’s Blood   Cardamon   Hematite   Red Coral   Burnt Deer horn 10 drams each 8 drams each Powder. Take 1–2 drams with wine. (Nicholas) Powder Against Bruising   Madder   Scabious   St John’s wort   Rhubarb   Costus   Nutmeg   Armenian Earth   Sealed Earth   Cumin prepared 6 drams ½ oz. each 2 drams 1 ½ drams each 4 scruples each 1 dram Cumin is steeped in vinegar for 24 hours, then dried. Powder them all Take 1 dram with wine.

Lesser Vulnerary Potion for the Belly   Armenian Earth   Comfrey   Bugle   Galangal ½ oz. 1 handful each 2 drams Prepare a standard Decoction. Used for Trauma of the abdomen. (Antidotarium Speciale, Wecker, 1588) Vulnerary Decoction (1)   Comfrey root   Plantain   Marshmallow   Pimpinella   Veronica   Sanicle   Licorice   Figs 2 oz. 3 drams half handful 3 drams 7 Decoct. Take a small cupful 2 or 3 times daily. Vulnerary Decoction (2)   Sanicle   Golden Rod   Soloman’s Seal   Plantain   Sage   Pennyroyal   Century 1 handful each Prepare a standard decoction. Bruising, Trauma, and damaged to the soft tissue of the joints. (Wirtzung) Universal Vulnerary Decoction   Tormentil   Comfrey   Lemon   Sanicle.   Wintergreen   Vervain   Ladies Mantle   Persicaria   Periwinkle   Herb Robert   Flowers of Verbascum     St. John’s wort     Centaury   Mumiya (Shilajit) 1 oz. each 1 handful each ½ handful each ½ oz. each 2 pugils each ½ oz. Prepare a standard Decoction. This would be better made into a tincture. Vulnerary Tincture   Golden Rod   Wintergreen   Sanicle   Fragaria   Mugwort   Ladies Mantle   Agrimony   Plantain 1 handful each ½ handful each Form a Tincture with Wine. (Antidotarium medico chymicum reformatum 1620)