Fibromyalgia Aproaches | Chinese Herbal Formulas

Fibromyalgia | Natural Approaches

Chinese Medicine

By: Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl. Ac

Do you feel like you have tried everything to relieve

your fibromyalgia symptoms? There are a thousand

ways to heal, and most of my fibromyalgia patients

have tried 999 of them without great success when

they turn to Chinese herbs. The symptoms

associated with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)

include pain in the muscles and joints, insomnia,

fatigue, brain fog, and digestive imbalances. This

is a disease process that is takes many forms in

expressing itself and is tenacious in nature; most

pain reducing medication treatments have little

effect of fibromyalgia. Because Chinese medical

therapies treat energetic imbalances in the body,

fibromyalgia responds extremely well to this type

of approach.

Typically, FMS patients look healthy; therefore, no

one can imagine that they are quite ill and in a

great deal of pain. As a result, FMS sufferers

receive little empathy from family, friends, or

even health care practitioners providing

treatment. Western medical practitioners often

avoided billing using a "fibromyalgia" code

fearing reprisals from insurance companies

up until a few years ago. FMS patients still

run into misinformed health

practitioners who treat fibromyalgia patients

as "drug seekers". This is because FMS

does not respond well to pain medications,

and patients, with sometimes-severe pain,

are looking for solutions and effective

treatments where they may not exist. The

truth is, there are not many practitioners who

know how to correctly treat fibromyalgia.

There is a great deal of mystery surrounding

the origins of FMS. Western medicine has yet to determine the cause of FMS. However, according to the ancient theories of Chinese medicine fibromyalgia follows patterns of imbalance associated with the Qi (vital energy loosely), organs and energetic qualities of the body leading to pain syndromes. The most common patterns are as follows:

1.) Latent Pathogens--According to Chinese medicine, a cold or flu is treated by releasing the pathogen to the exterior. Part of this process includes opening the pours by causing a sweat. If an exterior pathogen is not treated properly, it can become lodged in the interior of the body. This unresolved virus can lodge itself in the muscle tissue, or, more seriously, in the organs of the body. Interestingly, antibiotics are very "cold" in nature and cold causes contraction. When antibiotics are used in the presence of an exterior pathogen, the pathogen cannot move to the exterior. Environment toxins are also pathogenic factors that can become "stuck" in the muscle tissue.

2.) Liver Qi Constraints--The Liver is dynamic in its ability to move Qi in all directions in the body. When the liver function becomes constrained, there is a tendency for the liver to become "heated". Not only does the liver function become impaired, but the liver overacts on other systems. It can affect the Heart function causing insomnia and the Spleen function & Large Intestine functions causing digestive difficulties. With Liver Qi constraints there is typically an emotional imbalance causing frustration, easy anger and even depression

3.) Dampness--Imagine a sticky substance like phlegm adhering to every cell in your body. Most of us think of phlegm as something that is restricted to the respiratory system, however, given the right conditions phlegm can turn up throughout the body. In the case of FMS it is often lodged in the muscle tissue causing stagnation and pain. This is one of the factors that make FMS so difficult to treat. Western medicine has no way of recognizing or clearing dampness from the tissues.

4.) Qi Deficiency--Patients suffering with FMS typically experience bouts of severe lethargy. Their energy is often so depleted that they cannot hold down a job or care for there families on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, tonifying qi with herbs, heat therapy and acupuncture often strengthens the latent pathogen and worsens the condition. On the other hand, if the body does not have adequate qi, there is not enough strength to expel the pathogen. The Chinese have a saying that loosely goes, "Don't feed the thief while he is robbing your house". This is why FMS patients can not use typical supplements that build energy and vitality in the body such as Tonic Herbs. Often, fibromyalgia patients use tonic type herbs that they have self medicated with to build their energy only to find that the energy supplement flairs up all of the other symptoms of fibromyalgia.

The patterns listed here are the main underlying patterns seen in FMS patients. The only way for a fibromyalgia patient to regain health and energy in this situation is to release the pathogen and resolve the dampness with herbs such as Minor Blue Dragon, and to soothe the Liver energy with Free & Easy Wanderer. Thereafter, fibromyalgia sufferers can use energy tonics and adaptogenic formulas to rebuild wellness

Acupressure for Fibromyalgia ...

Our Minor Blue formula was developed in response to Catherine's clinical experience with fibromyalgia patients at a hormonal clinic where fibromyalgia patients looked for a cure for this tenacious disease pattern. Because fibromyalgia responds to a very specific treatment protocol, Catherine needed this specialized formula to address these FMS patient's needs, and she designed the Minor Blue Dragon that has resulted in great clinical results.

These Chinese herbs for fibromyalgia must be taken for approximately 3-6 months to begin clearing the underlying causes of this tenacious disease and restore one to his/her full potential, however, patients can start experiencing some pain relief within a few weeks of starting these herbs for fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia patients often combine this formula with Free & Easy Wanderer Formula & Central River Formula; but Tonic Herb Formulas should be avoided. We also have a very effective topical cream for fibromyalgia. Note: Do not use tonic herbs if you have fibromyalgia.

Herbs for Fibromyalgia:

Angelica pubescens-du huo

Chinese herb that pushes out pathogens, dries dampness, and alleviates pain.

Vitex spp.-man jing zi-Chaste Berry

Vitex drive out pathogens, clears heat and drains dampness with fibromyalgia. It clears Liver heat, especially associated with headaches and eye pain.

Poria cocos-fu ling

Poria is a fungus that grows on the roots of pine trees widely used in Chinese herbalism to leach out dampness, drain phlegm, and move fluid stagnation. Poria also has important immune boosting ability.

Foeniculum vulgare-xiao hu xiang-Fennel Seed

Fennel is a versatile herb that spreads Liver Qi, harmonizes the stomach, relieves Large Intestine spasm & gas, supports Kidney Qi, warms the uterus, relieves coughs and boosts the immune system.

Bupleurum-chai hu

One of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine, it soothes Liver energy and relieves congestion when the Liver Qi is stagnated. This is especially important when one is easily frustrated or feels “stuck”. It is detoxifying and anti-microbial, Bupleurum has the ability clear stagnation anywhere in the body. It is used to relieve spasms, muscle tension and menstrual irregularity.

Eupatorium perfoliatum-Boneset

Boneset is a Native American herb with potent anti-viral qualities. It drives out pathogens, reduces fevers, and treats deep muscle pain thru anti-inflammatory actions for fibromyalgia.

Filipendula ulmaria-Meadowsweet

Western herb that stimulates circulation and relieves joint and muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia. Clears stomach heat and reduces acid reflux. Relieves headaches and treats achy muscles at the onset of colds and flues. Gentle diuretic that clear toxins, uric acid, and edema.

Lactuca spp.-Wild Lettuce

Wild Lettuce is an exceptional herb for calming the Spirit, promoting sleep and reducing pain in fibromyalgia. It is effective at calming a fetus in cases of threatened miscarriage. It is anti-spasmodic and calming to the nervous system.

Coix lachryma –yi yi ren-jobi seed

Drains dampness for diarrhea, edema or urinary disorders. Increases joint mobility.

Pueraria-ge-gen-Kudzu Root

Stops diarrhea and restores proper Large Intestine function. Relieves headaches with a stiff neck and releases muscle tension and releases pathogens from muscle tissue. Relieves stomach aches and nausea and stops vomiting. This herb releases pathogens in cases of fibromyalgia syndrome.

Immaturus citri aurantii-zhi shi-Bitter Orange

Directs Qi downward and breaks up accumulations.

Cimicifuga spp-sheng ma-Black Cohosh

A highly revered Native American herb with a vast array of applications including the ability to drive out pathogens and relieve pain for fibromyalgia.

Nepeta spp-Catnip

Pushes pathogens to the exterior in fibromyalgia. Calming to the nervous system.

Cyperus rotundus-xian fu

A classic supportive herb in Chinese medicine, cyperi moves Qi in the body, breaks up stagnations, and spreads Liver Qi.

Acorus calamus-Calamus

Sweet flag has a very long history of medicinal use in many herbal traditions including Chinese, Native American and Ayurvedic medical systems. It is highly esteemed as a rejuvenator for the brain and nervous system and as a remedy for digestive disorders. It supports the Spleen and resolves dampness.

Cinnamomum cassia-rou gui-Cinnamon bark

Cinnamon bark is a strong essence tonic that promotes circulation and warms internal energy; it is said that it leads energy back to the source, or Kidney. Cinnamon bark increases the Yang energy and relieves pain from dampness.

Melissa officinalis- Lemon Balm

A calming nervine herb, melissa calms the mind. Lemon balm is also well known for lifting the spirit and inducing a personal centered calm.

Mentha spp.-bo he-Mint

A gentle herb that releases constrained Liver Qi . Mint dispels wind-heat pathogens, such as a common cold or flu with fever and headache by promoting sweating and opening the sinuses. Mint also relieves digestive pain and gas.

Verbena officinalis-ma bian cao-Verbena

Verbena is added here as it will lift the Spirit while rejuvenating the nervous system and allowing us to process emotions constructively that occur with fibromyalgia. Additionally, it drives out pathogens and relieves pain by circulating qi.

For information on conventional treatments for fibromyalgia, visit the Mayo Clinic, the Medline, or the National Fibromyalgia Society. This is not an endorsement of these organizations, just a resource guide.

Herbs for Fibromyalgia

What's in a Name?

In Chinese folklore, the Blue-Green Dragon appeared in the Spring and signified the Wood Element and gathering rains, or better times. This formula treats the underlying Wood Element imbalances and dampness that is prevalent in fibromyalgia and beckons in better times ahead for those suffering with fibromyalgia. This is not the patent remedy from China called 'called minor blue green'.

Secure Online Ordering!

Ageless

Herbs

Chinese Herb Formulas for Optimal Health and Wellness!

The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. Herbal formulas, natural remedies, and aromatherapy products related to alternative health products on this site have not been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The statements on this website are based principally on traditional knowledge accumulated over thousands of years of Chinese medical practices. The content provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your health care professional. You should not use the information on this site to diagnose or treat any health issues. As always, you should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, beginning an exercise program, using herbs or other supplementation programs, before taking any pharmaceutical medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Unless specifically mentioned in the product label or recommended by your professional health care provider, our herbal supplements, natural remedies, and alternative health products are not intended for children under the age of 18, pregnant women, or nursing mothers. Ingredients and dosage recommendations may change - see product label for current information. Please refer to our policy/FAQ’s page before making a purchase.