Paralysis according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Paralysis can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like paralysis here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here paralysis is often associated with convulsions, coma and constipation in the pattern “Interior Wind”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of paralysis we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat paralysis.
Interior Wind, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause paralysis
In Chinese Medicine paralysis is a symptom for the pattern "Interior Wind". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Gastrodia Rhizomes (Tian Ma) is the king ingredient for Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a formula used for Interior Wind
Interior Wind
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to paralysis, other symptoms associated with Interior Wind include convulsions, coma and constipation.
Interior Wind is often treated with Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Gastrodia Rhizomes - Tian Ma - as a key herb). Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that pacify and extinguish internal wind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Calms the Liver".
Five herbal formulas that might help with paralysis
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Source date: 1958 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Calms the Liver. Extinguishes wind. Invigorates the blood. Clears heat. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys.
Why might Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin help with paralysis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which paralysis is a symptom.
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Why might Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang help with paralysis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which paralysis is a symptom.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with paralysis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which paralysis is a symptom.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with paralysis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which paralysis is a symptom.
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Source date: the Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin. Nourishes Blood. Calms the Liver. Extinguishes Wind.
Why might E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang help with paralysis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' of which paralysis is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for paralysis
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat paralysis
Why might Gastrodia Rhizome (Tian Ma) help with paralysis?
Because it is a key herb in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' (a pattern with paralysis as a symptom)
Gastrodia Rhizomes is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Calms Liver Wind. Sedates Liver Yang and relieves convulsions. Relieves Wind and stops pain.
Why might Gambir Stem And Thorn (Gou Teng) help with paralysis?
Because it is a key herb in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' (a pattern with paralysis as a symptom)
Gambir Stems And Thorns is a Cool herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Calms Liver Wind and relieves spasms. Clears Liver Heat and sedates Liver Yang.
Why might Abalone Shell (Shi Jue Ming) help with paralysis?
Because it is a key herb in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' (a pattern with paralysis as a symptom)
Abalone Shells is a Cold herb that tastes Salty. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms ascending Liver Yang. Clears Liver Heat that is obstructing the vision.
Why might Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with paralysis?
Because it is a key herb in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' (a pattern with paralysis as a symptom)
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with paralysis?
Because it is a key herb in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Interior Wind' (a pattern with paralysis as a symptom)
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung, the Small intestine and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome.
Other symptoms often associated with paralysis
Convulsions Coma Constipation Dizziness Tics Coughing Chest congestion Vertigo Hemiplegia Epilepsy