Yin Chen Hao was added to resolve Dampness from the Gall-Bladder.Mu Xiang was added to move Qi in the hypochondrium being made
stagnant by the presence of Dampness.The combination of acupuncture and herbs produced a marked and
gradual improvement. Towards the end of the treatment the herbal
prescription was changed so that the emphasis would be on tonifying Qi
rather than resolving Dampness. However, within the tonifying-Qi
prescription (which was Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang Tonifying the Centre and
Benefiting Qi Decoction) herbs were still added to resolve Dampness.Case History 25.6
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Damp-Heat-Female, Age 59
A 59-year-old woman suffered from exhaustion, weakness and aching of the muscles, weight
gain and craving for sweets. All her symptoms had started 5 months previously soon after
returning from Thailand. Her tongue was Red with a sticky coating and it was partially peeled in
the centre. There were also some Stomach-cracks. Her pulse was Rapid and Slippery.
Diagnosis This is another case of ME, probably following a viral infection
contracted in Thailand. Before this happened she was very healthy and
active. Her main presenting pattern is, again, Damp-Heat in the muscles.
In her case, the Damp-Heat has not affected the brain, which augurs
well for the prognosis. The partially-peeled centre and cracks on the
tongue indicate a previous deficiency of Stomach-Qi.
Treatment principle The treatment principle adopted was to resolve Damp-Heat and tonify
Stomach-Qi.
Herbal treatment Again, the prescription Lian Po Yin Coptis-Magnolia Decoction was
used with good results. Initially it was used without any variation. After
three courses, it was modified with the addition of Tai Zi Shen Radix
Pseudostellariae to tonify Stomach-Yin, Huang Qi Radix Astragali
membranacei and Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae to
tonify Spleen-Qi to resolve Dampness. After three courses of this
prescription the treatment principle was changed to tonify Qi primarily
with the Liu Jun Zi Tang Six Gentlemen Decoction. After three courses
of this prescription her symptoms disappeared and her energy was
restored.
Heat Lurking in the Interior
Clinical Manifestations