Coma, Loss of Consciousness

Disorders of Consciousness and Coma are broadly divided into ‘Hot’ and ‘Cold’ (or Phlegm) types.

Heat types are generally viewed to be due to extreme or Toxic Heat which generates Wind. Acute cases are usually associated with High Fever which causes Delirium, and if serious, Coma. There is red face, red eyes, dry mouth, Fever, fast pulse, red tongue with a yellow coat.

Cold or Phlegm types are caused by loss of clear consciousness due to obstruction of the flow of Qi by Damp or Phlegm. TCM says the Phlegm ‘mists’ the Heart and Spirit, clouding pure consciousness. There is pale face, bluish lips, a white tongue coat and a slow or deep pulse.There can often be heard the gurgling of Phlegm in the throat as the person breathes.

Related conditions include Aphasia (loss of ability to express or understand speech), Aphonia (loss of the ability to speak), Sequelae of Apoplexy etc.

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Western Tradition

TCM Classification Severe Wind-Heat Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang An Gong Niu Huang Wan Zhi Bao Dan Pearl 25 (Mu tig nyer lnga) (Tibetan Medicine) Aloeswood 8 (Tibetan Medicine) Wind-Phlegm Su He Xiang Wan

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Special Formulas

Shi Xiang Fan Sheng Wan     Aloeswood     Clove     Sandalwood     Aristolchia root,     Cyperus rotundus (vinegar-processed)     Dalbergia (Jiang Xiang)     Patchouli (Huo Xiang)     Olibanum (vinegar-processed)     Gastrodia Tian Ma     White Silkworm (Bai Jiang Can)     Curcuma Yu Jin     Lotus plumule (Lian Zi Xin)     Trichosanthes Seed Gua Lou Ren     Mica, calcined (Meng Shi),     Chebulic Myrobalan (He Zi)     Styrax (Su He Xiang)     Benzoin (An Xi Xiang)     Cinnabar     Amber                                                       30 grams each     Licorice                                                     60 grams     Musk     Bezoar                                                       15 grams each     Borneo Camphor (Bing Pian)                 7. 5 grams Powder all herbs, melt the Storax, and to every 100 grams of powder add 90–100 grams refined Honey and the Storax and form boluses of 9 grams. Used to resuscitate, resolve Phlegm, calms the Mind and anchor the Spirit. Used for Aphasia, Coma, excess Phlegm in Stroke from Phlegm ‘misting the Heart’. Dose: 1 bolus (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)