Achyranthes Tablets

This Formula is a modification of Niu Che Shenqi Wan: which is, in turn, Rehmannia Eight Formula (Jingui Shenqi Wan) with achyranthes and plantago added. That formula was originally designed to treat water accumulation in the legs that resulted from a cold syndrome of the kidney (weak kidney yang); it has been adopted for treatment of diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, and other leg disorders that do not necessarily involve obvious edema. To produce this version, four of the orginal ten herbs were replaced. Moutan (tree peony) was replaced by red peony and millettia to emphasize a blood vitalizing action that is present in moutan. Alisma and hoelen, used to drain fluid, were replaced by chaenomeles, which also removes fluid but which is specifically used to relax spasms. Cinnamon bark, which warms the kidney yang, was removed and replaced by herbs to open the channels and soothe the tendons and ligaments: earthworm and frankincense. The results of these changes was to retain the tonic aspects of the base formula (nourishing kidney and liver), and to emphasize the treatment of pathologies in the limbs, by opening meridians, vitalizing blood, and relaxing spasms and stiffness. The formula helps regulate moisture flow and prevent accumulations of damp in the limbs that contributes to numbness, relying on plantago seed, dioscorea, and chaenomeles, with aconite assuring the fluid "steaming" function of the kidney. Modifications of Niu Che Shenqi Wan with ingredients such as millettia and earthworm are often recommended in modern clinical practice for treatment of neuropathy.