Indications: This formula is for the treatment of wind damp heat impediment joint pain with concomitant spleen qi vacuity. This is a commonly encountered pattern in the following autoimmune diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythamotosus (SLE), and dermatomyositis/ polymyositis. It is also a common pattern in fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalopathy (ME) or what is called chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome (CFIDS) in the United States.

Signs and symptoms of wind damp heat impediment include:

• joint or muscle pain accompanied by redness, swelling and heat and which is aggravated by warmth by decreased by cool or cold

• damp hot skin lesions of various kinds

• vaginal itching and/or inflammation

• burning urination

• yellowish red urination

• possible other signs and symptoms of damp heat in the body, such as burning anus after defecation

• cough with profuse yellow or yellowish green

• acid, hot stools

• yellow or yellowish green nasal mucus

• curd-like white or yellow creamy abnormal

• a red tongue with slimy, yellow coating

• vaginal discharge

• a slippery, bowstring, rapid pulse

Signs and symptoms of spleen qi vacuity include:

• fatigue, especially after eating

• cold hands and feet

• abdominal bloating after eating

• lack of strength in the four extremities

• tendency to loose stools but possibly constipation

• dizziness when standing up

• easy bruising

• a swollen tongue with teeth marks on its edges

• fine pulse which is often soggy a or soft in the right bar position

Combinations
This formula’s range of application can be extended and refined if it is combined with other commonly available Chinese ready-made medicines. For instance, if there is the complication of yin vacuity, then this formula can be combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavors Rehmannia Pills) or Zuo Gui Wan (Return the Left [Kidney] Pills) or with Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena & Phellodendron Rehmannia Pills) if there is more marked vacuity heat. If there is concomitant kidney yang vacuity, it may be combined with You Gui Wan (Return the Right [Kidney] Pills). If there is simultaneous blood stasis in the network vessels, then it can be combined with pills for that disease mechanism, such as Xiao Huo Luo Dan (Minor Quicken the Network Vessels Elixir). However, if there is concomitant yin vacuity and blood stasis in the network vessels, do not use this combination. If there is phlegm nodulation, it can be combined with pills for that, such as Hai Zao Wan (Sargas-sum Pills). To increase this formula’s functions of supplementing the spleen, transforming dampness, and dispelling wind, it may be combined with Yu Ping Feng San Wan (Jade Windscreen Powder Pills), etc.

Formula explanation:
Ginseng, Atractylodes Macrocephala, and Atractylodes (a.k.a. Atractylis) fortify the spleen and supplement the qi. Polyporus and Alisma seep dampness, while the two Atractylodes dry dampness. In addition, the Shen Nong Ben Cao (Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica) says that Polyporus treats gu toxins. Dang Gui both nourishes and quickens the blood. Scutellaria, Artemisia Capillaris, and Sophora clear heat and eliminate dampness. Artemisia Capillaris has some ability to also course the liver and rectify the qi. Cimicifuga and Pueraria both upbear clear yang. Pueraria also works with Notopterygium and Ledebouriella to dispel wind damp and free the flow of impediment. Further, Pueraria nourishes stomach yin, thus protecting fluids from damage due to the use of windy, exterior resolving medicinals. Anemarrhena nourishes the kidneys and clears vacuity heat, while Licorice clears heat and harmonizes the other medicinals while protecting the stomach.

Dosage
Three capsules two times per day equal not less than 30g of raw medicinals. However, because our extraction process is so much more efficient than stove-top decoction, we believe this amount of our extract is actually more like the equivalent of 40-60g of bulk-dispensed herbs.