Free Dermatology Research Reports

Translated by

Bob Flaws, Dipl. Ac. & C.H., FNAAOM

Copyright © Blue Poppy Press, 2000. All rights reserved.

These research reports on Chinese medical dermatology are offered as examples of the type of information contained in the other longer research reports Blue Poppy offers for sale.

Anal Itching

"The Treatment of 62 Cases of Perianal Eczematous Itching with Self-composed Formulas" by Zhao Chun-lei & Lin Bo, Ji Lin Zhong Yi Yao (Jilin Chinese Medicine & Medicinals), #4, 1993, p. 26

The authors treated 62 cases of perianal eczematous itching with a combination of orally administered Zhi Yang Fang (Stop Itching Formula) and externally applied Xun Xi Fang (Fumigation & Wash Formula). Both these formulas were designed by the authors themselves. Of the 62 cases, 38 were men and 24 were women. They ranged in age from a low of 12 years to a high of 65 years old, with 41 between 30-45. Twenty-nine were workers, 18 were peasants, 11 were unemployed, and four were students. In 14 cases, their course of disease had lasted less than half a year. In 33 cases, it had lasted from 1-3 years, in eight cases 4-6 years, in five cases 7-10 years, and in two cases more than 10 years. The shortest disease course was three months and the longest was 14 years.

The internal stop itching formula consisted of: uncooked Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di), 20g, Cortex Phellodendri (Huang Bai), 20g, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi), 20g, Cortex Radicis Dictamni Dasycarpi (Bai Xian Pi), 20g, Fructus Cnidii Monnieri (She Chuang Zi), 20g, Rhizoma Alismatis (Ze Xie), 15g, and Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae (Tu Fu Ling), 15g. These were decocted in water and administered internally, one ji per day divided into two doses. If damp heat was more serious, Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Ku Shen), 20g, and Semen Coicis Lachryma-jobi (Yi Yi Ren), 20g, were added to this formula. If perianal itching was severe, Fructus Kochiae Scopariae (Di Fu Zi), 15g, was added. If there was blood vacuity giving rise to wind, Si Wu Tang (Four Materials Decoction) minus Radix Ligustici Wallichii (Chuan Xiong) was combined with this formula plus Herba Seu Flos Schizonepetae Tenuifoliae (Jing Jie), 15g, and Periostracum Cicadae (Chan Tui), 10g.

The external fumigation and wash formula consisted of: Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Ku Shen), 50g, Fructus Cnidii Monnieri (She Chuang Zi), 30g, Cortex Radicis Dictamni Dasycarpi (Bai Xian Pi), 30g, Cortex Phellodendri (Huang Bai), 30g, Radix Ledebouriellae Divaricatae (Fang Feng), 20g, Folium Artemisiae Argyii (Ai Ye), 15g, Herba Seu Flos Schizonepetae Tenuifoliae (Jing Jie), 15g, and Borneolum (Bing Pian), 5g. A suitable amount of water was added and the medicinals were decocted. Then the medicinal dregs were removed from the liquid. The affected part was fumigated for approximately 20 minutes and then, when the temperature was appropriate, the affected area was washed for about two minutes. This was done 2-3 times per day.

Complete cure consisted of the disappearance of the clinical condition after 15 days of treatment with no recurrence on follow-up in one year. Good improvement was defined as obvious diminishment of the clinical condition after 15 days of treatment. And no improvement was defined as no change in the clinical condition after 15 days. Based on these criteria, 54 cases were completely cured, seven experienced good results, and only one case experienced no result. Thus the total amelioration rate was 98.5%

Facial Acne

"The Treatment of 123 Cases of Facial Acne" by Xu Jian-ping, Jiang Su Zhong Yi (Jiangsu Chinese Medicine), #12, 1992, p. 17

This research report describes the treatment of 123 cases of facial acne. Of these 123 cases, 81 were men and 42 were women. The youngest was 16 years old and the oldest was 48 with most of the patients falling between 18-35 years of age. The shortest duration of this disease was one half month, the longest was eight years, and the median duration was 3.6 years. Treatment was given on the basis of pattern discrimination.

1. Lung channel wind heat pattern (77 cases)

The acne of patients categorized as suffering from lung channel wind heat consisted of raised, red colored lesions scattered around the face approximately the size of grains of millet. Some of these raised lesions or pimples had small, pussy heads and occasionally ached and were painful. This was accompanied by a thirsty mouth with a preference for cold drinks. The stools were dry and bound and the urination was frequent and red. The tongue had thin, yellow fur and the pulse was rapid.

Rx: Cortex Radicis Mori Albi (Sang Bai Pi), Folium Eriobotryae Japonicae (Pi Pa Ye), Cortex Phellodendri (Huang Bai), Rhizoma Anemarrhenae Aspheloidis (Zhi Mu), uncooked Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei (Da Huang), Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae (Lian Qiao), uncooked Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 10g each, Rhizoma Coptidis Chinensis (Chuan Lian), 5g, Herba Oldenlandiae Diffusae Cum Radice (She She Cao), 30g

2. Heat & stasis mutually binding pattern (31 cases)

These patients' acne consisted of raised lesions or pimples on the face which were colored dark red and approximately the size of beans. Under pressure, they felt hard and bound or knotted and were cyst-like. There was swelling and pain or after rupturing there was a small amount of pussy matter secretion. If the skin was injured, the hair (follicular) holes or openings increased in width and there were blackheads. Afterwards, they remained sunken or became indented scars. The tongue had static spots and the pulse was choppy.

Rx: Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui), Radix Rubrae Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Chi Shao), 12g each, Flos Carthami Tinctorii (Hong Hua), Semen Pruni Persicae (Tao Ren), Radix Ligustici Wallichii (Chuan Xiong), Radix Bupleuri (Chai Hu), blackened Fructus Gardeniae Jasminoidis (Zhi Zi), 10g each, Concha Ostreae (Mu Li), 30g, Herba Violae Yedoensitis Cum Radce (Di Ding Cao), 15g

3. Yin vacuity-fire effulgence pattern (15 cases)

In this group, the raised lesions or pimples were fine and small, approximately the size of grains of rice. Their color was dark red accompanied by scant or minor possible nodulation with no pus secretion. After rupturing, a small amount of white colored secretion appeared like smashed rice.  This was accompanied by a tidal or flushed red facial complexion, a dry mouth and heart vexation, diminished sleep and profuse dreams, low back and knee soreness and weakness, a red tongue with scanty fur, and a fine and rapid pulse.

Rx: Fructus Tribuli Terrestris (Bai Ji Li), Herba Artemisiae Apiaceae (Qing Hao), uncooked Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 10g each, Radix Scrophulariae Ningpoensis (Xuan Shen), Cortex Radicis Lycii Chinensis (Di Gu Pi), Cortex Radicis Moutan (Dan Pi), Radix Rubrus Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Chi Shao), 12g each, uncooked Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di), 15g, Rhizoma Coptidis Chinensis (Chuan Lian), 5g

According to the author, no matter what the above pattern discrimination, one can use (the following modifications with any of the above guiding formulas): If the face has an excessively oily secretion, add Folium Mori Albi (Sang Ye) and Fructus Crataegi (Sheng Shan Zha). If the skin lesions itch, add Cortex Radicis Dictamni Dasycarpi (Bai Xian Pi) and Radix Kochiae Scopariae (Di Fu Zi). If heat is predominant, add double the amount of Lonicera and Viola (measuring by) liang. If there is hard, difficult to dissipate nodulation, one can take Nei Xiao Pian (Internal Dispersing Tablets). If there is qi vacuity, add uncooked Radix Astragali Membranacei (Huang Qi). While taking these medicinals internally, apply at the same time Zi Dian Dao San (Child Crown Collapse Powder) or Fu Yan Ding (Skin Inflammation Tincture) to the affected areas.

Complete cure consisted of complete disappearance of the skin lesions with no recurrence within one half year. Marked improvement consisted of disappearance of 70% or more of the skin lesions. Fair improvement consisted of 30% or more disappearance of skin lesions or disappearance but subsequent reappearance after the herbs were discontinued. Of the 77 cases suffering from lung channel wind heat, 49 were cured, 22 experienced marked improvement, five fair improvement, and one experienced no result. Of the 31 cases of heat and stasis mutually binding, 12 were cured, 12 had marked improvement, seven fair improvement, and two no result. And of the 15 cases of yin vacuity-fire effulgence, seven were cured, three experienced marked improvement, four fair improvement, and one no result. Thus of the 123 cases total, 68 cases (53.7%) experienced complete cure, 37 (30.1%) marked improvement, 16 (13.0%) fair improvement, and 4 (3.4%) no result. Further, among the 68 cases that were cured, the length of administration was between 27 days and three months. Most showed signs of improvement in their skin lesions within 7-10 days. If, after one half month of taking the above medicinals, there was no result, these patients were categorized as receiving no result and the medicinals were discontinued.

Polymorphous Sunlight Eruptions

"The Treatment of 20 Cases of Polymorphous Sunlight Eruptions with the Chinese Medicinals, Fu Ji Pi Yan Xi Fang (Recurrent Seasonal Dermatitis Wash Formula)" by Xi Wen-wang, Zhong Guo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi (Chinese Journal of Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine), #11, 1993, p. 695-696

This survey reports on the treatment of polymorphous sunlight eruptions using an external wash made from Chinese medicinals. Of the 20 cases, five were men and 15 were women. Their ages ranged from a low of 16 to a high of 80 years of age, with 18 cases between 20-40 years of age. Eighteen cases had had this disease for less than three months and two for more than three months. All 20 of these patients used Fu Ji Pi Yan Xi Fang as an externally applied wash. They were also allowed to simultaneously use at their own discretion other externally applied herbal materials treatments.

Fu Ji Pi Yan Xi Fang consisted of: Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (Yin Hua), 30g, Herba  Taraxaci Mongolici Cum Radice (Pu Gong Ying), 15g, Radix Ledebouriellae Divaricatae (Fang Feng), 12g, Fructus Arctii Lappae (Niu Bang Zi), 15g, Herba Menthae Haplocalycis (Bo He), 6g, Cortex Radicis Dictamni Dasycarpi (Bai Xian Pi), 15g, Fructus Kochiae Scopariae (Di Fu Zi), 15g, Radix Sophorae Flavescentis (Ku Shen), 10g, Radix Lithospermi Seu Arnebiae (Zi Cao), 15g, Cortex Radicis Moutan (Dan Pi), 10g, and uncooked Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 6g.

If there was redness, swelling, heat, and pain, Folium Daqingye (Da Qing Ye) and Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (Ye Ju Hua) were added. If there was copious oozing and weeping, Rhizoma Atractylodis (Cang Zhu) and Herba Polygoni Avicularis (Bian Xu) were added. And if there was itching, Herba Equiseti Hiemalis (Mu Zei) was added. These medicinals were placed in 1500ml of water and decocted for 15 minutes. After they became warm, the affected area was washed with this decoction. This was done two times per day, using one ji per day, with five ji equaling one complete course of treatment.

Complete cure was defined as complete disappearance of the skin lesions and stopping of any itching. Improvement was defined as reduction of the skin lesions and diminishment of itching. No result was defined as no obvious change in the skin lesions after one course of treatment with itching either not reduced or increased. Based on these criteria, 12 cases or 60% experienced complete cure. Six cases or 30% experienced improvement. And two cases or 10% got no results. The smallest number of medicinals used was one ji and the largest was eight ji, with the average being 4.9 ji.

According to the author, polymorphous sunlight eruptions have no clear cause. This condition tends to get worse in spring and summer and decreases in winter and fall. Chinese medicine regards this condition as being due to an innate disposition with recurrent invasion of wind heat evils, lack of spleen movement and transportation, and damp heat engendered internally. This becomes depressed in the flesh and skin and results in these eruptions. Fu Ji Pi Yan Xi Fang clears heat and disinhibits dampness. Lonicera, Dandelion, Dictamnus, and uncooked Licorice clear heat and resolve toxins. Lithospermum and Moutan clear heat and cool the blood. Kochia and Sophora Flavescens clear heat and disinhibit dampness, while Ledebouriella, Arctium, and Mint dispel wind and scatter heat.

Psoriasis

"The Treatment of 51 Cases of Psoriasis with Jie Du Huo Xue Tang (Resolve Toxins & Quicken the Blood Decoction)" by Liu Shi-li, Fang Bing, & Zhang Zuo-zhou, Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Journal of Chinese Medicine), #9, 1993, p. 549-550

The authors begin this report by stating that psoriasis is a commonly encountered chronic skin disease making up between 5-10% of the patients in a dermatology out-patient clinic. Based on the Chinese medical principles of clearing heat and resolving toxins, quickening the blood and dispelling wind, the authors composed the formula Jie Du Huo Xue Tang for the treatment of psoriasis which they then used to treat 51 cases of this disease.

Of the 51, 26 were men and 25 were women. They ranged in age from 8.5-66 years of age. Forty-seven had ordinary psoriasis, one had secondary psoriasis, two had psoriasis with erythroderma, and two had articular psoriasis (one of which also had erythroderma). The course of disease had lasted as short as one month and as long as 47 years. Forty-seven cases had been treated previously with various Western and Chinese  medicines, including externally applied plasters.

Jie Du Huo Xue Tang consisted of: Herba Taraxaci Mongolici Cum Radice (Pu Gong Ying), Radix Isatidis Seu Baphicacanthi (Ban Lang Gen), Rhizoma Paridis Polyphyllae (Zao Xiu), Herba Oldenlandiae Diffusae Cum Radice (Bai Hua She She Cao), Rhizoma Sparganii (San Leng), Rhizoma Curcumae Zedoariae (E Zhu), Fructus Tribuli Terrestris (Bai Ji Li), and Herba Solani Nigri (Long Kui).

Based on Chinese medical pattern discrimination, if there was severe blood heat with bright red skin lesions, Rhizoma Imperatae Cylindricae (Mao Gen) and uncooked Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di) were added. If wind was flourishing and itching was severe, Zaocys Dhumnades (Wu Xiao She) and Bombyx Batryticatus (Jang Can) were added. If wind and dampness were obstructing the network vessels with joint impediment pain, Herba Gentianae Macrophyllae (Qin Jiao) and Cortex Radicis Dictamni Dasycarpi (Bai Xian Pi) were added. If blood dryness was damaging yin with dry, parched skin lesions and large scales, Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui), Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dan Shen), and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Nu Zhen Zi) were added. One ji was used per day, decocted in water and taken in two doses. Four weeks equaled one complete course of treatment. If there was no cure after a single course, from 2-4 courses were given. The patients were examined again once every 1-2 weeks. During the course of treatment, twenty-four patients had blood and urine tests and their liver functions assessed. Also, during the above treatment, patients were not allowed to use any other medications.

Of the 51 patients, 26 or 51% were clinically cured. Twenty-two or 43.1% experienced improvement. And three cases or 5.9% experienced no result. Of the 11 cases with a disease duration of ine year or less, six cases were cured and five were improved. Of the 12 cases with a disease duration of 1-5 years, four were cured and eight were improved. Of the 10 cases with this disease 6-10 years, six were cured and four were improved. Of the 18 cases who had suffered for 11 years or more, nine were cured, six improved, and three got no results. The shortest duration of treatment was two weeks and the longest was six whole courses of treatment, with most cases receiving between 2-3 courses. Among those that were cured, three had relapses which were cured after another course of treatment. No abnormal changes were found in the 24 cases who had had their blood and urine tested and liver functions assessed and there were no obvious side effects to this treatment.

Lower Leg Ulcers

"A Survey of the Treatment of 50 Cases of Lower Leg Ulcers with Zhu Fan San (Margarita & Alum Powder)" by Zhao Ming-li et al., Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Journal of Chinese Medicine), #9, 1993, p. 551-552

The treatment of ulcers on the lower legs with Western medicine is not usually satisfactory and the condition tends to recur. Therefore, between Oct. 1990 and Oct. 1991, the authors of this survey treated 50 cases of lower leg ulcers with a self-composed formula named Zhu Fan San. Of the 50 cases, 16 were treated as outpatients and 34 were treated in the hospital. Thirty-one were men and 19 were women. Their ages ranged from a high of 85 to a low of 18 years old, with the average being 60. Two cases were less than 30, 15 were between 30-50, and 33 were over 50 years old. Sixteen cases had accompanying conditions. Of these, seven had diabetes mellitus, six had eczema, and four had high blood pressure. As for causes, 41 cases were due to venous problems, seven were due to external injury, and two were due to infected incisions. The course of disease ranged from as long as 50 years to as short as 10 days. And the ulcers themselves were from as small as 1cm x 1cm to as large as 20cm x 10cm, with 36 cases or 60% being larger than 2cm x 2cm.

Zhu Fan San was composed of: Radix Pseudoginseng (San Qi), 10g, Alumen (Ku Fan), 10g, Borneolum (Bing Pian), 10g, and Margarita (Zhen Zhu), 10g. These were ground, sifted through a 200 "eye" screen, and packed in a bottle to be stored for use. Prior to using this powder, the ulcers were disinfected with ethyl alcohol and allowed to dry. The powder was applied to the mouth of the wound, the amount of the powder depending on the size of the ulcer. The typical rate was 2-4g/cm². However, this medicated powder should not applied too thickly. This dressing was cleaned and reapplied 1-2 times per day. If there were accompanying conditions, these were treated by clearing heat and resolving toxins, quickening the blood and transforming stasis, opening the connecting vessels and disinhibiting medicinals taken orally, such as Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (Yin Hua), Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae (Lian Qiao), Herba Taraxaci Mongolici Cum Radice (Pu Gong Ying), Herba Violae Yedoensitis Cum Radice (Di Ding Cao), Radix Rubrus Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Chi Shao), Cortex Radicis Moutan (Dan Pi), Cortex Sclerotii Rubri Poriae Cocos (Chi Ling Pi), Rhizoma Alismatis (Ze Xie), etc., 7-10 ji.

Cure consisted of healing of the ulcer with complete disappearance of symptoms. If the ulcers became smaller by more than 50% and the clinical symptoms disappeared, this was defined as improvement. Treatment lasted from as long as 87 days to as short as five days, with the average being 28 days. Forty-eight cases were completely cured and two cases were improved. Thus the total amelioration rate was 100% and the cure rate was 96%.

Case history: Male, 65 years of age. The patient had had phlebitis in both lower legs for nine years. He had several ulcers on both of his lower legs, the largest of which was 10cm x 8cm by 0.5cm deep. The ulcers were dark red and exuded a yellow fluid. Both lower legs also exhibited pitting edema. The patient's tongue was purple with a yellow coating and his pulse was slippery and rapid. His white blood cell count was 7600/mm³ and blood sugar was negative. His pattern discrimination was damp heat pouring downward with toxic heat obstructing the network vessels. Besides being treated with Zhu Fan San above, he was also administered orally Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (Yin Hua), 30g, Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae (Lian Qiao), 20g, Herba Taraxaci Mongolici Cum Radice (Pu Gong Ying), 15g, Herba Violae Yedoensitis Cum Radice (Di Ding Cao), 15g, Cortex Sclerotii Rubri Poriae Cocos (Chi Ling Pi), 15g, Rhizoma Alismatis (Ze Xie), 15g, Caulis Akebiae  (Mu Tong), 10g, Semen Plantaginis (Che Qian Zi), 10g, Radix Rubrus Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Chi Shao), 12g, Cortex Radicis Moutan (Dan Pi), 12g, Radix Ligustici Wallichii (Chuan Xiong), 12g, and Caulis Millettiae Seu Spatholobi (Ji Xue Teng), 20g. He was given 14 ji. Sixteen days later, the ulcer had begun to close and the edema of the lower extremities was dispersed. Twenty days later, the right leg had healed completely and the left leg had one ulcer 1.5cm x 1cm and another 3cm x 1 cm. With continuing treatment, 38 days later he was completely cured.

Bedsores

"The Treatment of 96 Cases of Bedsores with Sheng Ji San (Engender Flesh Powder)" by Xu Jin-mu & Wang Zhe-zhong, He Nan Zhong Yi (Henan Chinese Medicine), #9, 1993, p. 230

Since 1988, the authors have treated 96 cases of bedsores with their self-composed Sheng Ji San. This formula consisted of: processed Calamina (Lu Gan Shi), 15g, Stalactitum (Di Ru Shi), 9g, Talcum (Hua Shi), 30g, Succinum (Xue Po), 9g, Cinnabar (Zhu Sha), 3g, and Borneolum (Bing Pian), 0.3g. These were ground into a fine powder and packed in a bottle for future use. According to the authors, this formula functions to eliminate dampness and close sores, engender flesh and contract openings. After disinfecting the sore, this powder was applied over the open wound. Ninety-four cases were cured by this treatment and two cases experienced no result. Thus the amelioration rate was 97.92%.

Facial Flat Warts

"The Treatment of 56 Cases of Facial Flat Warts with Self-composed Qu You Fang (Eliminate Warts Formula)" by Ma Shao-wu & Zhou Dong, Shang Hai Zhong Yi Yao Za Zhi (Shanghai Journal of Chinese Medicine & Medicinals), #9, 1993, p. 28

According to the authors, flat warts are a commonly seen dermatological condition for which there is as yet no exceptionally effective Western medicinals. Therefore, the authors have composed a Chinese medicinal treatment for this condition called Qu You Fang. Of the 56 cases the authors report on treating with this protocol, 16 were males and 40 were females. The youngest aged was 10 and the oldest was 64, with 48 cases aged between 21-30. Eight cases had had this condition for from 1-6 months, 20 cases for from six months to one year, 10 cases from 1-2 years, 12 cases from 2-3 years, and six cases for more than three years. Ten cases had more than 100 warts, while 46 cases had less than 100.

Qu You Fang was prescribed on the basis of Chinese medical pattern discrimination. The formula's uses are to clear heat and resolve toxins, quicken the blood and dispel stasis, soften the hard and scatter nodulation. The formula was comprised of: Herba Portulacae Oleraceae (Ma Chi Xian), 30g, Radix Isatidis Seu Baphicacanthi (Ban Lang Gen), 30g, uncooked Semen Coicis Lachryma-jobi (Yi Yi Ren), 30g, Radix Lithospermi Seu Arnebiae (Zi Cao), 9g, Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (Ye Ju Hua), 9g, Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (Yin Hua), 9g, Rhizoma Paridis Polyphyllae (Zao Xiu), 15g, Herba Oldenlandiae Diffuse Cum Radice (Bai Hua She She Cao), 30g, Semen Pruni Persicae (Tao Ren), Flos Carthami Tinctorii (Hong Hua), 9g, mix-fried Squama Manitis (Chuan Shan Jia), 9g, mix-fried Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiang Can), 9g, uncooked Os Draconis (Long Gu, decocted in advance), 30g, uncooked Concha Ostreae (Mu Li, decocted in advance), 30g.

If the disease had lasted a long time and there was qi and blood dual vacuity symptoms, Radix Astragali Membranacei (Huang Qi), 30g, and Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dan Shen), 9g, were added. If there was itching, Cortex Radicis Dictamni Dasycarpi (Bai Xian Pi), 30g, and Herba Equiseti Hiemalis (Mu Zei Cao), 12g, were added. If the warts were hard and tough, Spica Prunellae Vulgaris (Xia Gu Cao), 15g, Thallus Algae (Kun Bu), 9g, and Herba Sargassii (Hai Zao), 9g, were added.

The above medicinals were soaked in 500ml of water for 45 minutes (the precooked medicinals having already been decocted for 30 minutes). Then more water was added and the medicinals were decocted for another 15 minutes. After decoction, 300ml of liquid was poured off and taken in two divided doses. These medicinals were decocted a second time for 10 minutes after again adding more water, resulting in 500ml of liquid. This was divided into several doses and the warts were rubbed and washed with this decoction. After that, they were scraped with a knife. This resulted in the skin becoming scorching hot but not injured. One ji was used each day and three whole months equaled one course of treatment.

Cure was defined as complete disappearance of the warts. Their reduction by more than 70% was defined as marked improvement. Some improvement was defined as approximately 30% reduction of the warts. And no result meant that there was no change in the patient's condition after three months of the above treatment. Of the 56 people treated, 30 experienced cure, 12 experience marked improvement, eight got some improvement, and six got no result. This yielded a total amelioration rate of 89.3%. The shortest course of treatment was one day and the longest was three whole months. Most cases that were healed did so within 30-60 days.

Hypersensitive Chronic Lip Inflammation

"The Pattern Discrimination Herbal Medicine Treatment of 35 Cases of Hypersensitive Chronic Lip Inflammation" by Lai Zong-yu, Si Chuan Zhong Yi (Sichuan Chinese Medicine), #10, 1993, p. 43

In Chinese medicine, this condition is called lip wind and lip dry cracking. Between July 1984 and October 1990, the author had occasion to treat 35 cases of this condition using pattern discrimination with good results. Of the 35 cases, 13 were men and 22 were women. Three were under 25 years of age, 18 were between 25-40, and 14 were between 41-55. The longest course of disease was eight years and the shortest was two years.

1. Spleen & stomach damp heat pattern (16 cases)

The symptoms these patients manifested were cracked, chapped lips, ulcers with either pussy blood or a fluid discharge, bad breath, thirst but no desire to drink, constipation, reddish (i.e., dark), hot urination, a red tongue with thick, yellow, slimy fur, and a slippery, rapid pulse. In this case, the treatment principles were to clear the spleen and drain heat, disinhibit dampness and resolve toxins using Qing Pi Chu Shi Yin Jia Jian (Clear the Spleen & Eliminate Dampness Drink with Additions & Subtractions): uncooked Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di), Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis (Huang Qin), Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (Fu Ling), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Bai Zhu), Rhizoma Atractylodis (Cang Zhu), Fructus Gardeniae Jasminoidis (Zhi Zi), Cortex Radicis Moutan (Dan Pi), Tuber Ophiopogonis Japonici (Mai Dong), Rhizoma Alismatis (Ze Xie), and Herba Artemisiae Capillaris (Yin Chen), 12g each, and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 6g.

2. Yin vacuity harboring dampness pattern (8 cases)

The symptoms this group of patients manifested were heart vexation and easy anger, thirst, dry throat, repeated recurrence of sores and ulcers, chapped lips, oozing of fluids and bleeding, a red tongue with yellow fur, and a fine, rapid pulse. The treatment principles in this case were to nourish yin, clear heat, and disinhibit dampness using Zhi Bai Di Huang Tang Jia Jian (Anemarrhena & Phellodendron Rehmannia Decoction with Additions & Subtractions): uncooked Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di), Radix Trichosanthis Kirlowii (Tian Hua Fen), Rhizoma Anemarrhenae Aspheloidis (Zhi Mu), Cortex Phellodendri (Huang Bai), Tuber Ophiopogonis Japonici (Mai Dong), Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Nu Zhen), Cortex Radicis Lycii Chinensis (Di Gu Pi), Cortex Radicis Moutan (Dan Pi), and Fructus Lycii Chinensis (Gou Qi Zi), 12g each, Radix Scrophulariae Ningpoensis (Xuan Shen) and Radix Isatidis Seu Baphicacanthi (Ban Lang Gen), 15g each, and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 6g.

3. Blood vacuity transforming into dryness pattern (11 cases)

These patients' symptoms included a pale, lusterless facial complexion, decreased food intake, loose stools, dizziness and vertigo, shortness of breath, disinclination to speak, chapped and cracked lips, possible bleeding from the cracks, dryness, itching, and scaling, a pale tongue with thin, white, slightly yellow fur, and a fine, weak pulse. In this case, the treatment principles were to boost the qi and fortify the spleen, nourish the blood and moisten dryness using Dang Gui Tang Jia Jian (Dang Gui Decoction with Additions & Subtractions): Radix Codonopsitis Pilosulae (Dang Shen) and Radix Astragali Membranacei (Huang Qi), 15g each, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Bai Zhu), Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (Fu Ling), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui), Radix Ligustici Wallichii (Chuan Xiong), Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Bai Shao), uncooked Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di), Cortex Radicis Moutan (Dan Pi), 12g each, Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis (Huang Qin), 9g, and dry Rhizoma Zingiberis (Gan Jiang) and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 6g each.

One ji was decocted in water and administered per day, divided in three doses, with six days equaling one course of treatment. In addition, a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution was applied and allowed to dry. This was then followed by the application of aureomycin cream.

Complete cure consisted of healing of the lesions after not more than three courses of treatment with no recurrence within a half year. Marked results were defined as healing of the lesions within three courses of therapy. However, after discontinuing the medicinals, the sores returned as before. These were then eliminated when the treatment was repeated. Some results were defined as partial elimination of the sores after three courses of treatment. And no results meant just that. Based on these criteria, 23 cases or 65.7% were completely cured, eight cases or 22.8% were markedly improved, three cases or 8.6% were somewhat improved, and one case or 2.85% got no results from this protocol. Therefore, the total amelioration rate was 97.13%. Further breakdown by pattern showed that of the 16 cases of spleen-stomach damp heat, 12 were cured and four got marked improvement. Of the eight cases of yin vacuity harboring dampness, five were cured, two were markedly improved, and one was somewhat improved. And of the 11 cases of blood vacuity transforming into dryness pattern, six were cured, two markedly improved, two somewhat improved, and one got no results.

In their concluding discussion, the author mainly relates this condition to the spleen and stomach. This is based on the saying that the spleen opens into the orifice of the mouth and has its efflorescence in the lips. Therefore, this disease is mostly caused by yang ming stomach channel wind fire overwhelming above and spleen channel blood dryness. Blood vacuity engenders wind and transforms into dryness which may consume and damage yin blood. Spleen-stomach damp heat may obstruct and accumulate or heat evils may damage yin resulting in yin vacuity and internal heat with the spleen losing its propulsion and movement, thus resulting in phlegm dampness being generated internally. Thus the treatment of this disease should mainly be aimed at the spleen.

Drinker's Nose (i.e., Acne Rosacea)

"The Treatment of 39 Cases of Drinker's Nose Using Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang (Ephedra, Armeniaca, Licorice & Gypsum Decoction) with Additions" by Zou Shi-guang, Zhe Jiang Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Zhejiang Journal of Chinese Medicine), 1993, p. 323

In this clinical study, the author successfully used Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang with additions to treat drinker's nose. The prescription contained: Herba Ephedrae (Ma Huang), 6g, uncooked Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao), 6g, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shi Gao), 45g, Semen Pruni Armeniacae (Xing Ren), 10g, Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei (Da Huang), 4g, uncooked Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di), 30g, Herba Oldenlandiae Diffusae Cum Radice (Bai Hua She She Cao), 20g, and Herba Scutellariae Barbatae (Ban Zhi Lian), 15g. One ji was decocted three times per day. The first two decoctions were mixed and administered morning and evening. All three of the decoctions were also administered topically to the nasal area for five minutes at a time. Two weeks constituted one course of therapy, and the treatment typically required 1‑3 courses. If the skin was dusky red, thickened, and unnecessarily raised and enlarged, then 20g each of Radix Rubrus Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Chi Shao) and Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dan Shen) were added.

Thirty-five cases showed marked improvement defined by the disappearance of the symptoms of redness, thickening of the skin, and papules. Four cases did not respond to this therapy.

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