Epilepsy & Convulsions

Falling Sickness

It is caused by “the thick chyme which
blocketh up the exits of the breath [Qi]“
(Syrian Book of Medicine)

Epilepsy and Convulsions are classic ‘Wind’ diseases. As with other Wind diseases, Wind can come with Heat, Phlegm and is either excess or deficient.

Wind-Heat can be acute or chronic; acute cases may be associated with Fever, especially Convulsions. Convulsions are more violent and there is irritability, restlessness.
Wind-Phlegm Convulsions lack Heat symptoms, and there is typically excess Phlegm, frothing at the mouth during convulsions, and a sound of phlegm gurgling in the Throat.
Deficient type Convulsions are treated with tonic medicines. The patient will be weak and the Convulsions not as violent as those with Heat or Excess.

Often medicines to calm the Mind or Spirit are used in addition to medicines that treat the underlying cause.

Acute and Febrile Convulsions can be dangerous and life-threatening, especially in Children. Fever must be reduced and emergency medical attention should be called immediately.

Western Tradition

Primary Compounds used for Epilepsy:

Syrup of Stoechas
Vinegar of Squill
Oxymel of Squill

Theriac of 4 Ingredients
Confection of Alfescera
Aromatic Musk Comp.

TCM Classification

Note: in the following classifications, ‘acute cases’ listed after some of the formulas indicates those for acute episodes or acute convulsions; they are not for long-term use.

Wind Phlegm
change in mood before seizures, often sleeps after seizure, dull headache with a heavy head, stiffness of the neck, dizziness, vertigo, tiredness, weakness.
Ding Xian Wan
Su He Xiang Wan (acute cases)
Chen Xiang Tian Ma Tang
Zhu Li Da Tan Wan
Qing Re Zhen Jing Tang

Liver Wind Heat
restless, insomnia, headache, vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus, spasms and tics, blurred vision, red tongue
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Zhi Jing San (Scorpion & Centipede Powder, equal parts)

Severe Liver Wind
Zhi Jing San

Heat Toxin attacking the Heart
Fever, convulsions, delirium, irritability, insomnia, restlessness, .
Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan
Zi Bao Dan (acute cases)
Zi Xue Dan (acute cases)

Phlegm Heat / Fire
disease suddenly happen, severe restlessness, angry, red eyes, red face, no appetite, insomnia, loss of recognition of people, angry, destructive, very strong.
An Gong Niu Huang Wan (acute cases)
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Gun Tan Wan
Hui Chun Dan
Sheng Tie Luo Yin
Zi Bao Dan (acute cases)
Zi Xue Dan (acute cases)

Blood Stasis
seizures, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, fever at night, fixed pain in the head, dry scaly skin, stiff neck, dark complexion.
Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Qi and Blood Deficiency
seizures, fatigue, poor appetite, general weakness, stiffness or cramps of the muscles, dizziness, light headedness, spontaneous sweating.
Ba Zhen Tang
Zhen Zhu Mu Wan

Spleen Qi Deficiency
long history of seizures, lethargy, fatigue, emaciation, poor appetite, nausea or vomiting, loose stools, pale complexion, weak pulse.
Liu Jun Zi Tang (with Calamus added)
An Shen Ding Zhi Wan

Yin Deficiency
long history of seizures, dull mental state, dark complexion, dizziness, tinnitus, dry sore eyes, withered ears, insomnia, forgetfulness, lower back pain, weak knees, nocturnal enuresis.
Da Ding Feng Zhu
Da Bu Yuan Jian
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

Special Formula:

1. Hippocrates, Galen, Macer and other great Physicians mention that Peony root hung around the neck of a child with Epilepsy stopped the disease while around the neck, but returns when it is removed. Hippocrates said he had proved it twice. Of course, Peony taken internally was a prime medicine for Epilepsy too.
1. Oak Mistletoe           1 oz.
    Pear Mistletoe.          ½ oz.
    Tips of Deer Horn.    quarter oz.
Powder and give some several times daily. (Brunschwig, 1561)
2. ‘Take the Matrix [Uterus] of a Sow the which being made into Powder you shall give to eat or to drink unto the patient, and as soon as he has received it, the sickness will remove from the Brain, and spread unto his finger ends, tormenting him very sore: but whereas the said matter shall assemble and come together make a rupture: and the matter will come out as yellow as Saffron, and he shall be quickly healed’. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
4. ‘Take Frogs and slay them, then dry them in a tin pan and beat them being dryed into a powder, drink of this powder for a year together in all the drink you drink.’ (Natura exenterata, Philatros, 1655)

Research:

1. Old Remedies for Epilepsy: Avicenna’s Medicine
2. The Effects of Various Essential Oils on Epilepsy and Acute Seizure: A Systematic Review