Chronic Hepatitis and "Blood Activating and Stasis Expelling" Therapy- Part 2

Carthami Flos, Persicae Semen, Angelicae Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Rehmanniae Radix, Paeoniae Rubra Radix, Achyranthis Radix, Citri Aurantii Fructus, Bupleuri Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Platycodi Radix.

Wang Qing Ren, one of most famous figures in TCM, developed the Persica & Achyranthes Combination (Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang) and Persica & Cnidium Combination (Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang) over 300 years ago. These formulas have been used to treat blood stagnancy and typical symptoms include headache, chest pain, palpitation, insomnia, anxiety, dark or purplish tongue, cold hands and feet, dark rings around the eyes, liver palm, spider moles, dry and itchy skin, rashes, lumps, and pain, upper abdominal discomfort, tight pulse, etc.

We use the active ingredients of herbs contained in these formulas to create a more potent and stabilized form of the herbs. Modern pharmacological studies have since been conducted to explore the precise physiological actions of these two ancient formulas and found that they have many beneficial effects. The following is a list of the results:

1. Improvement of microcirculation - The formulas can noticeably ameliorate acute micro-circulation disorder induced by macromolecular dextran in rats.  It dilates the micro-capillaries, accelerates the blood flow and opens additional micro-capillary networks.  The result is increased blood infusion to the tissues which can stop the pathology caused by the micro-circulation disorder and increase the functionality of the tissues. It can clear the clotting factors in DIC (diffused intravenous clotting) and stop the progress of DIC. For liver tissue damaged by chronic inflammation, the increased blood infusion can bring in more fresh oxygen and nutritional supply. This will help clear waste metabolites more efficiently and promote tissue regeneration.

2. It will not prolong the P.T.T. and the Prothrombo time.  It can suppress the clustering of platelets and improve various blood rehological (liquidity) parameters, such as the viscosity of the blood, packed red cell volume, blood plasma specific viscosity, and fibrin. The improvement of these parameters will also help release the pain caused by blood stasis.
 
3. It can promote the phagocytosis of the macrophages and promote the immune function of reticular endothelial system. It can also regulate the cellular and humeral immunity.

4. It can noticeably suppress granuloma (fibrosis activities) formation and is especially important for preventing the progression of fibrosis in chronic liver diseases.

The Tianjing Institute of Emergency Medicine in Tianjing, China, used them to treat 18 cases of ascites caused by cirrhosis and found its effectiveness to be 94%.  It helped to improve the microcirculation in the liver and promote the absorption of the ascites.

In my clinical work, we use the circulation formulas to promote the healing of inflamed tissue resulting from Lyme Disease, arthritis, and psoriasis. For chronic hepatitis, it is used in conjunction with other liver supportive herbs to improve overall blood circulation, restore liver functions, and reduce liver and spleen enlargement.