Sprains & Strains
Acute Strains and Sprains usually come from awkward movements, sleeping improperly or lifting heavy things. It can be associated with muscular tension, weakness of the joints, spasms of the tendons etc.
The primary treatment is moving the Blood, clearing obstruction and easing pain. It can be seen that internal medicines for acute Sprains and Strains are usually based on Blood-moving herbs. Heat-clearing (Anti-inflammatory) and Diaphoretic (Sweat-inducing) herbs may be combined too.
The application of Cold or Ice is appropriate in the initial stages to prevent swelling and stop bleeding. However, after the initial stage of swelling has stopped, warmth and stimulating medicines are indicated. Likewise cooling herbs can be used topically in poultices, washes, fomentations and cataplasms in the initial stage of Trauma, whereas Blood-moving and stimulating medicines are used after the initial stage.
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Western Tradition Simples for Internal use:
2. Boil Basil in vinegar and apply topically. 3. Alum and Zedoary as a paste 4. ‘… take the whites of eggs brayed well, and temper amongst it the powder of Wormwood as much as you please, and so lay them upon the bruised place’. (Wirtzung) 5. Of Celandine: ‘Some of the old writers believe that this agent is superior to Arnica or Hamamelis, as an external application to bruises and sprains’ (Ellingwood). 6. Comfrey Wrap: A strong Infusion is made by steeping 2 heaped teaspoonfuls of Comfrey root in 250 mls of boiling water; a cloth or small towel is soaked in this infusion and applied to the place while warm, and left until cool. This may be repeated several times daily for 3 or 4 days if needed. Other herbs can also be added according to need. Formulas Vulnerary Decoction Vulnerary Decoction (Wirtzung) Universal Vulnerary Decoction (Joseph Du Chesne) Tincture of Myrrh Tincture of Celandine Elixir of Camphor Ointment for Trauma Ointment for Congealed Blood |
Chinese Classification Simples
Formulas Wu Hu San Die Da Wan Qi Li San Zheng Gu Shui |
Special Formulas
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ACUTE NECK STRAIN: Frankincense 2 oz., 3 drams Oil of Rose Wax 1 pound each Deer Marrow Chicken fat Goose fat 1 pound each Pig fat 2 pounds Fenugreek mucilage 9 oz. Linseed mucilage Marshmallow juice 1 pound each Camomile 1 handful Dill, 7 branches Powder the Mastic and mix with the Oil of Rose with gentle heat; in another vessel mix the juices and herbs with the Wax with gentle heat, then strain. Next mix the Mastic and Oil into the juices, add the Fats, simmer gently, then put into jars. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615) |
REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY: Cinnamon 3 grams Dang Gui 9 grams Saposhnikovia Fang Feng 6 grams Safflower (Hong Hua) 6 grams Lycopodium Shen Jin Cao 9 grams Notopterygium Qiang Huo 6 grams Frankincense 6 grams Myrrh 6 grams Salvia Dan Shen 6 grams This is for topical use. It could be prepared as a plaster, ointment or tincture. (The Formulas of Dr. John H.F. Shen) |