Folio Bound VIEWS - Chinese Medicine

Dampness (as this was the main problem rather than Heat) and of Bai

Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae to introduce some

tonification within the draining. The prescription used thus was:

Huang Lian Rhizoma Coptidis 4 g

Hou Po Cortex Magnoliae officinalis 4 g

Shi Chang Pu Rhizoma Acori graminei 4 g

Lu Gen Rhizoma Phragmitis communis 6 g

Ban Xia Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae 6 g

Zhi Zi Fructus Gardeniae jasminoidis 3 g

Dan Dou Chi Semen Sojae praeparatum 4 g

Fu Ling Sclerotium Poriae cocos 4 g

Sha Ren Fructus seu Semen Amomi 4 g

Yi Yi Ren Semen Coicis lachryma jobi 4 g

Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae 4 g

Four couses (each course being 20 days) of this prescription (with minor

variations) produced a nearly complete recovery. This prescription was

then followed by two courses of a tonifying prescription (still

incorporating some draining Dampness). The prescription was a

variation of Liu Jun Zi Tang Six Gentlemen Decoction.

Case History 25.2

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Damp-Heat-Female, Age 53

A 53-year-old woman complained of exhaustion, muscle fatigue and ache, a quivering of the
muscles, poor memory and concentration, a feeling of muzziness and heaviness of the head and
headaches. All these symptoms started after a viral infection 3 years previously. Her pulse was
Weak and Fine but also Slippery. Her tongue was slightly Red and Swollen and had a
sticky-yellow coating.

Diagnosis This condition is also due to Damp-Heat, remaining after the viral
infection. It is very similar to the previous one, with one difference: this
condition is more deficient than the previous one as evidenced by the
Weak and Fine pulse. Thus, underlining the condition of Damp-Heat
there is a pronounced deficiency of the Spleen. However, in spite of this
it is still better to clear the Damp-Heat before tonifying.

Treatment principle The treatment principle adopted was to resolve Damp-Heat.

Herbal treatment The prescription used was again a variation of Lian Po Yin
Coptis-Magnolia Decoction.

Huang Lian Rhizoma Coptidis 4 g

Hou Po Cortex Magnoliae officinalis 4 g

Shi Chang Pu Rhizoma Acori graminei 4 g