Diseases of the Spleen
A. Spleen. B, C, E. Veins of the SpleenDer gantzen Artzenei, Dryander, 1542
‘Spleen’ disease refers to diseases affecting the Spleen. The Spleen is most affected by Damp and Melancholy which are associated with Spleen Pain or ‘Obstruction’, Hardness and Tumors of the Spleen. Spleen Disease can also be viewed in the greater context of Damp and Melancholy diseases in general.
In TCM, the Spleen is the source of our Qi (via the Spleen’s control over digestion) and so medicines for Spleen Deficiency increase body energy. In TCM, Medicines to strengthen the Spleen and increase Qi are regularly added to those that clear Damp. This is due to the Spleen invariably being weak if Damp has occurred. The same can be said of Melancholy.
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Western Tradition Simples
Special Medicines: Chebula 7 (Tibetan) is a special medicine for Spleen diseases: used for pain, injury or hardness of the Spleen. Splenis aeritudines eradicant – Eradicates Spleen disease Diacurcuma Magna Amomum 19 (Ko la 19) (Tibetan Medicine) Chebula 7 (A ru bdun pa) (Tibetan) Oil of Spikenard Oil of Euphorbium Splenis doloribus, & oppilationibus conferunt – Spleen pain and obstruction There will be swelling and pain over the Left side. Simples: 1. Ash bark infused in Wine, taken for 9 mornings. 2. Hart’s Tongue infused in Wine. 3. Decoction of Elder root 4. Willow twig and bark decoction (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine’, Budge, 1913) 5. Coral taken dries the Spleen (hardness due to damp) 6. Powder of a Fox burnt given in drink. 7. Goat Dung decocted and taken is effective for hardness and obstruction of the Spleen. 8. Take burnt Stag Horn with wine. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine’, Budge, 1913) 9. Calf Bile in Cabbage water (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine’, Budge, 1913) Topically: 1. Willow leaf stamped with salt and applied to the area of the Spleen. 2. Dock root beaten with vinegar and applied. 3. Tamarisk leaves soaked in vinegar and applied 4. Soak linen cloth in the patients urine and apply to the place. (Brunschwig, 1561) Syrup of Polypody Syrup Diarrhodon Vinegar of Squill Oxymel of Roots Troches of Agrimony Troches of Agnus Castus Troches of Lacca (Mesue) Troches of Gallia Sebellinae (Mesue) Indian Pills (Mesue) Pills of Rhubarb (Mesue) Hiera Pachii Electuary of Calamint (Galen) Electuary of Saffron Lesser (Diacrocon Minores) (Mesue) Philonium Romanum (Galen) Athanasia Greater (Nicholas) Oil of Orris Oil of Bay Oil of Caper Plaster of Mustard Amomum 19 (Ko la 19) (Tibetan Medicine) Chebula 7 (A ru bdun pa) (Tibetan) Splenis oppilationes aperiunt, & purgant – Spleen obstruction open and cleanse Decoction of Stoechas Decoction of Dodder (Rhasis) Syrup of Two Roots Syrup of Five Roots Syrup of Apple Comp Vinegar Syrup of 2 Roots Oxymel Comp Confection of Winter Cherries Troches of Agrimony Troches of Lacca (Mesue) Troches of Agaric Troches of Lacca (Trochisci de Lacca) (Mesue) Athanasia Greater (Nicholas) Pills of Rhubarb (Mesue) Pills of Sebellina Indian Pills Oil of Sesame Oil of Capers Spleen, Phlegm and Damp Obstruction Vinegar of Squill Syrup of Polypody Syrup of Two Roots Syrup of Five Roots Powder of Cinnamon (Mesue) Indian Electuary Lesser (Mesue) Indian Electuary Greater (Mesue) Pills of Agaric (Mesue) Pills of Mastic (Mesue) Chebula 7 (A ru bdun pa) (Tibetan) Splenis apostema, & duritiem resolvunt – Resolve Spleen abscess and hardness Oxymel of Broom flower or seed Oxymel of Calamint Troches of Capers Diasulphur Diachylon Plaster Plaster of Meliot Plaster of Opopanax Oil of Sesame Oil of the Philosophers To Purge in Spleen Obstruction or Hardness Greater Polycrest Pills (Pil. Aggregative Majores) Golden Pills (Nicholas) Pills of Fumitory (Avicenna) Pills of Agaric (Mesue) Pills of Lapis Lazuli 1 (Mesue) Arab Confect Purging Melancholy (Confect. Hamech) Holy Bitters (Hiera Picra) Electuary of Dates (Diaphoenicum) (Mesue) Electuary of Senna (Diasenna) (Nicholas) To strengthen after Abbots Confection of Roses (Diarrhodon Abbatis) Aromatic Rose Compound (Aromaticum Rosatum) Powder of Anise Compound (Dianisum) (Mesue) Troches of Agrimony Troches of Gum Lacca (Trochisci de Lacca) (Mesue) Troches of Capers Root-bark (Mesue) Electuary of Bayberries (Electuarium de Baccis Lauri) |
TCM Classification Spleen Qi Deficiency Poor appetite, nausea, fatigue, pale tongue and a weak pulse Si Jun Zi Tang Shen Ling Bai Zhu San Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang Spleen Yang Deficiency As for Spleen Qi deficiency but more severe, with more signs of Cold, loose stool, deep and weak pulse Zhong Wan Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan Spleen Yang Deficiency with Cold Accumulation As for Spleen Yang deficiency with Constipation, abdominal pain that feels better with warmth, Wen Pi Tang Spleen Damp As for Spleen Qi deficiency with more nausea, greasy tongue coating, slippery pulse Liu Jun Zi Tang Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang |
Special Formulas
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1. SCLEROSIS OF THE SPLEEN Fern root Wormwood Savin tops equal parts This was commended. (Ettmuller) 2. SPLEEN HARDNESS Wormwood Celandine Germander Fern root Senna Black Hellebore Galangal Zedoary Raisins Cream of Tartar |
3. PLASTER FOR SPLEEN HARDNESS (1) Fenugreek Mustard Barley meals equal parts 4. PLASTER FOR SPLEEN HARDNESS (2) Gum Ammoniac Bdellium Myrrh Frankincense Powder, mix in vinegar, dip cotton into it and apply. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘, Budge, 1913) 5. PLASTER FOR PROTRACTED SPLEEN HARDNESS Lesser Cardamon Greater Cardamon Pyrethrum Mustard Fenugreek equal parts Powder, mix with vinegar and oil and apply as a plaster over the spleen, replace daily. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine‘, Budge, 1913) |