Obstruction

Obstruction is one of the primary causes of diseases upon which there is a whole School of thought. Obstruction refers to the blockage of fluid or humors, or of Vital Spirit (Qi). In the Chinese Tradition, obstruction is of Qi or Blood. However, obstruction is usually complex, and often chronic.

Complex obstruction involves two or more of Heat, Cold, Damp, Phlegm, Dryness, Wind, Qi, and Blood. Often, in chronic conditions, a number of factors, even of opposite nature, are found together.

The main formulas for obstruction in the Western Tradition are based on those of Mesue. His formulas of Agrimony, Wormwood, Rhubarb and Lacca formed the basis in the treatment of Obstructions for centuries. They contained medicines to clear obstructions of Qi and Blood, and clear Phlegm and Heat.

TCM has a family of formulas which form the basis in the treatment of Qi obstruction; these are the ‘Chai Hu‘ formulas. The other main family for obstructions is the ‘Zhu Yu‘ formulas for Blood Stasis.

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Western Tradition Simples Agrimony Wormwood Asarum Maidenhair Stoechas Whey Fumitory Hyssop Rhubarb Dodder Rose juice Oppilationes aperiunt – Open obstructions Syrup of Sorrel Syrup of Fumitory Syrup of Two Opening Roots Syrup of Five Opening Roots Oxymel Oxymel of Squill Oxymel of Squill Compound Oxymel of Roots Wormwood Wine Electuary of Seeds Greater Cumin Powder (Diacyminum) (Nicholas) Powder of Gum Lacca Lesser (Dialacca Minores) (Mesue) Powder of Gum Lacca Greater (Dialacca Majores) (Mesue) Troches of Anise (Nicholas) Troches of Wormwood Lesser (Mesue) Troches of Wormwood Greater (Mesue) Troches of Gum Lacca (Trochisci de Lacca) (Mesue) Troches Praised for the Liver, Spleen and Stomach Bitter Powder of Musk (Diamoschu Amarum) (Mesue) Powder of Three Sandalwoods (Diatriasantalum) (Mesue) Hiera Picra Catholicum Pilulae Aggregative minores Oil of Bitter Almond Oil of Peach kernel Oil of Sesame Oil of Costus Oil of Pepper —————————– Obstruction from Bile Opening Hepatic Decoction Pills of Agrimony Greater (Mesue) Troches of Barberries (Trochisci de Berberis) (Mesue) Obstruction from Phlegm/Damp Syrup of Two Opening Roots Syrup of Five Opening Roots Powder of Turbith (Avicenna) Electuary of Turbith (Zenon) Obstruction by Phlegm and Bile Compound Syrup of Vinegar Troches of Barberries (Trochisci de Berberis) (Mesue) Obstruction of Qi Letificans Powder of Three Sandalwoods (Diatrionsantalum) (Mesue) Greater Cumin Powder (Diacyminum) (Nicholas) Electuary of Roman Spikenard Troches of Rose (Rhasis) Troches of Agrimony Electuary of Costus (Mesue) Obstruction of Qi and Phlegm/Damp Syrup of Two Opening Roots Syrup of Five Opening Roots Greater Cumin Powder (Diacyminum) (Nicholas) Bitter Troches (Nicholas) Troches of Wormwood Lesser (Mesue) Electuary of Costus (Mesue) Obstruction of Blood Troches of Rhubarb (Mesue) Troches of Saffron (Nicolas) Electuary of Saffron Lesser (Diacrocon Minus) (Mesue) Powder of Madder

TCM Classification Qi Stagnation Liang Fu Wan Xiao Yao San Chai Hu Shu Gan San Qi Stagnation with Phlegm Ban Xia Huo Po Tang Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Blood Stagnation Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang (Head) Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Chest) Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang (Abdomen) Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Lower abdomen) Phlegm and Damp Obstruction Er Chen Tang Liu Jun Zi Tang Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang