Stroke according to traditional Chinese Medicine, excessive stress, alcohol, drug, tobacco use, poor diet, lack of exercise and overexertion may cause stroke. Formulas used in treating the aftereffects of stroke usually include ingredients to invigorate blood circulation, drive out wind, rid the body of phlegm, and tonify the body. Presented here are cases from our clinic.
CASE 1
Gertrude was a 68-year-old retired schoolteacher, at least fifty pounds overweight. She had a recent stroke determined to be a cerebral thrombosis. She had weakness and numbness on the left side of her body. She had difficulty remembering certain words. She was receiving physical therapy and under the care of a nurse and physician. She was on coumadin. Her pulse was irregular and her tongue had a dark yellow coating. We recommended the AC-Q formula, two capsules TID for the first week.
AC-Q is a comprehensive formula designed to open up the acupuncture channels, and increase mobility and strength; similar formulas are used in China to help stroke patients. After one week tolerance was good. When she came in two weeks later, there was no change. We recommended at this time she add Marrow Plus (1 capsule TID first week, 2 capsules 2 TID thereafter), a formula designed to increase her Qi and blood. Marrow Plus contains herbs such as Astragalus and Salvia traditionally used by doctors in China to help people recover from stroke. Gertrude took the herbs for over six months with a gradual improvement in her strength and mobility with less numbness.
DISCUSSION
As a general precaution, we always recommend clients take herbs and drugs two hours apart. As Gertrude was on Coumadin, we recommended she start herbs at a reduced dosage. We recommended she stop the herbs if there were any signs of unusual bleeding. As there was no negative interaction noticed, we increased the dosage and also slowly added Marrow Plus.
CASE 2
Harold was a retired seventy-two-year-old. He had a severe stroke, which left him in a coma for two weeks. He was in a wheelchair due to poor strength and mobility and poor balance; there was slurring of his speech. His acupuncturist, who had helped Harold considerably, referred him to us. Harold’s pulse was thready and slightly irregular. We recommended AC-Q and Mobility 3, 2 capsules of each QID.
After four weeks there were little changes, so we recommended increasing the dosage of Mobility 3 to 3 capsules QID; he continued to take AC-Q (2 capsules QID). We also recommended Astragalus in soups as much as possible. After two months he reported that he was regaining the strength in his legs and was able to start swimming class as part of his physical therapy. He reported a great improvement in his outlook on life.
CASE 3
Elliot was an accountant in his early sixties. He had a stroke several months ago; he complained of dizziness, tiredness, some speech difficulty, high blood pressure, and diabetes. He was on numerous medications including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and tolbutaminde. His pulse was slippery and his tongue was red with a yellow coat. We recommended Clear Phlegm, 2 capsules QID and Gastrodia Relieve Wind, 2 capsules QID. We also recommended he eat protein with each meal and increase his vegetable and fruit intake while limiting complex carbohydrates. He was already on a salt-restricted diet.
After two weeks, he reported dry mouth so in addition to suggesting he increase his water intake, we suggested he reduce Clear Phlegm to 1 capsule QID and increase Gastrodia Relive Wind to 3 capsules QID. After one month, we substituted AC-Q for Clear Phlegm and maintained him on Gastrodia Relieve Wind. After three months on the herbs, Elliot reported more energy and greater well-being.
DISCUSSION
Clear Phlegm, also known as Wen Dan Tang, a phlegm-reducing formula used in Chinese medicine, as phlegm-resolving formulas are often used in China to treat stroke, especially with obesity. Traditional indications include dizziness, however, there will usually be a slippery pulse and copious mucus. Clear Phlegm by ridding the body of phlegm is generally not used long-term because it is drying. The combination of Clear Phlegm and Gastrodia Relive Wind (Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin), was used by the master herbalist Dr. Zhu Dan Xi to treat stroke. AC-Q was recommended in place as it contains “aromatics for opening the orifices”.