Do you have lumps under your skin, on the thighs, arms or neck that won't go away? Are they benign lumps that you are told not to bother with them...but they do bother you right? Then consider our Chinese herbs that are what we call phlegm busters (fat).
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), these nodules are considered to be stagnation of qi, blood, or phlegm. From pharmacological perspective, these herbs have antibiotic effect to treat infection, and anti-inflammatory effect to reduce swelling and inflammation. Furthermore, these herbs are also effective for hardness and nodules where there are no signs of infection of inflammation. For this application, however, herbs must be taken continuously for a few months to slowly dissolve and disperse these nodules and hardened tissues.
We believe that Lipomas are a result of a weak "Yang Ming" (digestive system) or due to dietary taxation insulting the "Yang Ming" (bad eating habits). Thus the idea of this herbal formula is to help your body to move out the trapped phlegm nodules, BUT this must be done concurrently with life style changes.
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
[ Lipomas, Infection and inflammation with swelling: goiter, lymphedema, hemorrhoids, intestinal polyps, tonsillitis, appendicitis, infected lesions, dermatological swellings, mastitis, sinusitis, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, and thrombophlebitis
[ Formation of hardness and nodules: any type of swelling, mass, enlargement, hardness, nodule, scrofula, boil, carbuncle, goiter, sore, lump, furuncle, abscess, polyp, hordeolum or hard-seated lesion in the body that may or may not have accompanying pus, pain or heat sensations
[ Lymphatic blockage: this formula drains the lymphatic system to clear stagnation
[ Pfeiffer’s disease
WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
[ Antibiotic properties to treat infection 1,2,3,4,5
[ Anti-inflammatory action to reduce swelling and inflammation 6,7,9,10,12
[ Antipyretic influence to reduce fever 8
[ Analgesic effect to relieve pain 10,11
CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
[ Clears heat and detoxifies
[ Reduces swelling and promotes discharge of pus
[ Invigorates blood circulation and relieves pain
INGREDIENTS
Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae)
Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)
Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubrae)
Dang Gui (Radicis Angelicae Sinensis)
Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae)
Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae)
Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae)
Kun Bu (Thallus Laminariae seu Eckloniae)
Mo Yao (Myrrha)
Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum)
Tong Cao (Medulla Tetrapanacis)
Xia Ku Cao (Spica Prunellae)
Zao Jiao (Fructus Gleditsiae)
Zao Jiao Ci (Spina Gleditsiae)
Zhe Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii)
FORMULA EXPLANATION
Dissolve is an excellent formula to clear heat, eliminate toxins, reduce swelling, and invigorate blood circulation. Clinically, it can be used as a primary formula or as an adjunct formula to treat various conditions due to infection and inflammation characterized by the formation of hardness, nodules and swelling.
Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae) is an indispensable anti-inflammatory herb when it comes to treating toxic heat accumulation in the body. Zhe Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii), Xia Ku Cao (Spica Prunellae), and Kun Bu (Thallus Laminariae seu Eckloniae) are used in Dissolve to penetrate the channels, soften hardness and expel phlegm accumulation. Zao Jiao (Fructus Gleditsiae), Zao Jiao Ci (Spina Gleditsiae), and Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) drain pus. Blood invigorating herbs such as Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum), Mo Yao (Myrrha), Dang Gui (Radicis Angelicae Sinensis), and Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubrae) are used to disperse stagnation, relieve pain and help with the regeneration or healing process. Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) regulates qi, dispels phlegm and has a synergistic effect with the blood invigorating herbs to soften hardness and relieve pain. Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) dispels lingering wind that may reside in the channels and reduce superficial swelling. Tong Cao (Medulla Tetrapanacis) drains and expels dampness through urination. Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) further helps with detoxification and also harmonizes the formula.
NUTRITION
[ Refrain from eating spicy, greasy, fried foods, BBQ, canned foods, fermentated or dairy products, seafood, alcohol, duck or the internal organs of any creature during the course of treatment.
[ Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
[ For tonsillitis, gargle with salt water for one minute, twice daily.
LIFESTYLE INSTRUCTIONS
[ Mild exercise is recommended as it will help with qi and blood circulation in the body. However, individuals with dermatological swellings should avoid heavy exercise that induces sweating, as it may delay healing of sores on the skin.
[ Do not scratch the lesions to avoid contraction of infection and formation of scars. When boils or cysts break and are draining, keep the local area clean to prevent infection to the other parts of the body. After handling a boil, hands should be washed thoroughly to avoid transferring bacterial infection to other areas.
CLINICAL NOTES
[ In western terminology, -itis means inflammation. Since Dissolve is used to treat numerous conditions characterized by infection and inflammation, many of the clinical applications will end with –itis, such as mastitis, bronchitis, cholecystitis, thrombophlebitis, and tonsillitis.
[ Inflammation of the lymphatic system will often cause subcutaneous formation of hardness and nodules. Such conditions can be effectively treated with Dissolve.
[ The primary effect of Dissolve is to reduce inflammation and swelling to soften hardness and nodules. Though it contains herbs with an antibiotic effect, use of this formula alone may not be sufficient in treating acute infection with inflammation, such as in tonsillitis or sinusitis. Instead, another formula with heat-clearing, antibiotic actions should be added to potentiate the effect.
CAUTIONS
[ This formula is contraindicated in cases of yin-type (deep-rooted) furuncles or carbuncles where the appearance is grayish dark and shows no signs of redness or pain.
[ This formula is contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing.
[ Use with caution in cases of Spleen qi deficiency or yang deficiency with coldness of the extremities.
[ Though this formula has herbs with marked antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects, certain conditions, such as acute appendicitis, are still better treated with surgery to avoid rupture of the appendix.
[ Patients who are on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies, such as Coumadin (Warfarin), should use this formula with caution, as there may be a slightly higher risk of bleeding and bruising.
[ This formula is not designed for long-term use. It should be discontinued when the desired effects are achieved.
MODERN RESEARCH
Dissolve is formulated specifically to treat infection and inflammation. The herbs in this formula have demonstrated pronounced antibiotic and anti-inflammatory activities. Dissolve is most effective in treatment of swelling and inflammation due to infection, with the formation of abscesses, hardness and nodules.
Dissolve contains many herbs with marked antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities. Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae) has demonstrated a broad spectrum of inhibitory actions against Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Diplococcus meningitidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis., Decoction of Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) has an inhibitory effect against E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Bacillus proteus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, and species of Shigella. Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) has an antibacterial effect against Shigella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, and an antiviral effect against influenza viruses. Xia Ku Cao (Spica Prunellae) has demonstrated inhibitory action against Shigella spp., Salmonella typhi, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus, and dermatophytes. All together, herbs in Dissolve provide a potent and wide spectrum antibiotic effect to ensure complete and effective treatment of infection.
Many herbs in Dissolve have with marked anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. This well-rounded action is necessary, as infection and inflammation are often accompanied by fever and pain. In this formula, Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) has potent anti-inflammatory effects. , Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae) has both anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) also exhibits anti-inflammatory activity to decrease the permeability of blood vessels, a symptom associated with inflammation or allergy. Dang Gui (Radicis Angelicae Sinensis), on the other hand, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic influence, and is commonly used to treat both pain and inflammation. It has been shown that Dang Gui (Radicis Angelicae Sinensis) is approximately 1.1 times stronger than aspirin to reduce inflammation, and 1.7 times stronger to relieve pain. Lastly, Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) is regarded by many as one of the most potent herbs to reduce inflammation. Contrary to most herbs, Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by stimulating the production of glucocorticoids and slows down the rate of breakdown of the same substances. Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) has been used successfully for treatment of inflammation, edema, granuloma formation, edematous arthritis, and others. The anti-inflammatory influence of glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic, two active components of Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), is approximately 1/10th in comparison with cortisone.
Dissolve contains herbs that have a wide variety of clinical applications. In one report, 56 patients with appendicitis were treated for 7 days with an overall effectiveness of 92.8%. Reported cases of mastitis were also treated with great success. Out of 35 patients, 31 recovered within 1 to 3 doses, 3 recovered after 4 to 6 doses, and 1 had no effect. For treatment of peptic ulcer, use of herbs was also very successful. Out of 53 cases (14 had gastric ulcers, 33 had duodenal ulcers, and 6 had both), 35 experienced recovery within 30 days, 15 had significant improvement, and 3 had no response, after 30 days of treatment. For thrombophlebitis, 111 patients were treated with complete recovery in 77 cases, significant improvement in 31 cases, and no improvement in 3 cases. For chronic sinusitis, 68 patients were treated, with complete recovery in 66 cases and improvement in 2 cases. Other conditions that have been treated with good success include acute appendicitis, acute mastitis,, chronic bronchitis,, cholelithiasis, nephritis, hepatitis, and tonsillitis.
In summary, Dissolve is comprised of herbs that are well documented for their antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects. The clinical applications include swelling and inflammation due to infection, with such presentation as fever, abscess, nodules, hardness, discharge, and related symptoms.
PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS & CHINESE MEDICINE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Nodule is a general term that is used to describe many different types of goiter, lymphedema, swelling, mass, enlargement, hardness, scrofula, boil, carbuncle, sore, lump, furuncle, abscess, polyp, hordeolum or hard-seated lesion in the body. Though these conditions may have different etiology, they are all characterized by swelling, inflammation and possible infection.
Western Medical Approach: Many of these conditions have no treatment available. When infection is involved, antibiotics may be used orally or topically. When there is pain and inflammation, analgesic or anti-inflammation drugs may be used for symptomatic treatment. Lastly, surgery may be performed to remove the nodule or hardened tissues.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Approach: These nodules are considered to be stagnation of qi, blood, and phlegm. From pharmacological perspective, these herbs have antibiotic effect to treat infection, and anti-inflammatory effect to reduce swelling and inflammation. Furthermore, these herbs are also effective for hardness and nodules where there are no signs of infection and inflammation. For this application, however, herbs must be taken continuously for a few months to slowly dissolve and disperse these nodules and hardened tissues.
Summation: Nodules and hardened tissues encompass a wide variety of clinical conditions. When the cause is unknown, western medicine struggles to identify a diagnosis and a treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine, however, is quite effective as it offers a wide range of therapeutic substances to treat infection, reduce swelling and inflammation, and dissolve and disperse nodules and hardened tissues.
CASE STUDIES
D.C., a 45-year-old woman, presented with right-sided elbow pain that began after she received a cortisone injection. She also suffered from depression after having recently moved to a new location. The right elbow appeared swollen and slightly warm to the touch. Her hands and feet were always cold. TCM diagnosis was bi zheng (painful obstruction syndrome) with Liver qi stagnation. After taking Dissolve and Si Ni San (Frigid Extremities Powder), her elbow pain was 75% better and no longer hurt steadily. It worsened with work but was bearable. The patient also received acupuncture and homeopathic therapy.
M.C., Sarasota, Florida
M.S., a 41-year-old female, presented with an allergic reaction: both eyes were itchy and weeping thick yellow fluids. This worsened with exposure to dust or chemicals. The TCM diagnosis was yin deficiency with damp-heat accumulation. After taking Dissolve with Ming Mu Di Huang Wan (Improve Vision Pill with Rehmannia), the patient was 95% better. She continued to take the herbs and noticed that the symptoms would return when she stopped the herbs. This patient did not receive any acupuncture treatment.
M.C., Sarasota, Florida