Huang Qi Radix Astragali membranacei 12 g
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae 6 g
Fu Ling Sclerotium Poriae cocos 6 g
Chai Hu Radix Bupleuri 4 g
Qing Hao Herba Artemisiae apiaceae 3 g
Zhi Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis praeparata 3 gThis is a simple prescription to tonify Qi with the addition of Chai Hu
and Qing Hao to drain any remaining Heat. In fact, this patient had
made very good progress but was occasionally still experiencing a
sensation of heat and a flu-like feeling typical of ME. Both Chai Hu and
Qing Hao are particularly good to clear any lingering, hidden Heat
causing heat sensations.Case History 25.4
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Dampness-Female, Age 28
A 28-year-old woman complained of total lack of energy, aches and fatigue of the muscles for
the past 3 months. She also felt cold, her thinking was not clear and her head felt muzzy and
heavy. Her glands were swollen and she suffered from constipation, although this had been a
problem for a long time. Her stools were not dry. She was pale and spoke with a very quiet
voice. Her tongue was Pale with teeth-marks and had small white pin-size vesicles. Her pulse
was Slow (60), Slippery and Weak. All her symptoms (except for the constipation) had started
after receiving an influenza immunization.
Diagnosis Most of her symptoms are due to Dampness (without Heat) obstructing
the head (muzzy and heavy head, lack of concentration and clarity) and
the muscles (tiredness, ache and fatigue of the muscles). The pinsized
white vesicles on the tongue are typical of Dampness. The residual
pathogenic factor in this case followed not an infection but an
immunization, which from a Chinese medical perspective is comparable
to an infection. This obviously took place on a background of
Spleen-Yang deficiency. This is borne out by her cold feeling, the Pale
tongue with teethmarks and the constipation. This was due to
Spleen-Yang being unable to move the stools. The fact that the stools
are not dry and she does not feel thirsty shows that the constipation is
due to Yang deficiency and not to Heat. Of course it could also have
been due to Blood deficiency (which is a more common cause of
chronic constipation in women) but the cold feeling and the tongue
point to Yang deficiency.
Treatment principle The treatment principle was concentrated initially on draining
Dampness.