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Folklore Prescriptions for Stroke

In the treatment of wind syndromes (Wind Syndromes), attacking phlegm is a major contraindication. At the moment of impending death, one invariably hears rattling phlegm in the throat; this is not exclusive to stroke. When Yuan Yang (Primordial Yang) loses its mastery, all fluids and blood in the body transform into phlegm. To attempt to attack and eliminate all phlegm is effectively to attempt to eliminate all fluids and blood. Therefore, this prescription is recorded as a warning.

Nan Xing (Arisaema cum Bile): Cold and cloying, it severely damages Stomach Qi and can guide phlegm into the Pericardium, Liver, and Gallbladder, forming chronic diseases. Those processed once or twice have mild potency; those processed nine times cause even more severe harm. Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange Fruit): Depletes and scatters Primordial Qi. In cases of abundant phlegm, although it may temporarily open blockages, it subsequently severely injures Middle Qi, causing phlegm and saliva to surge like a geyser. Shi Chang Pu (Acorus Rhizome): Can open the orifices of the Heart. Once the Heart orifices are opened, phlegm and saliva enter directly and have no outlet forever. Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber): Although this herb can descend rebellious Qi and resolve nodulation, when used together with Nan Xing, it inevitably aids evil forces. Qin Jiao (Gentiana Macrophylla Root), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Rhizome), Tian Ma (Gastrodia Rhizome), Ling Yang Jiao (Antelope Horn), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Gou Teng Hook (Uncaria Ramulus Cum Uncis): These six herbs, while not contraindicated in wind syndromes, without key herbs to preside over the formula, become mere dregs and useless substances. Tian Zhu Huang (Bamboo Moso): True specimens are rare, yet it is also a superficial remedy for Fire-Phlegm. Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus): Although it is a correct herb for dispelling wind, its potency is too weak to rely upon. Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis): Although it is an excellent herb for wind-phlegm, when used together with Nan Xing, Shi Chang Pu, and Zhi Ke, it instead guides phlegm into the Heart orifices, making it impossible to expel. Zhu Li (Bamboo Sap): Mixed with Ginger Juice, although it can drive out phlegm from the collaterals, when used with Nan Xing and others, lacking the distribution of Middle Qi, it反而 causes harm by cold invading the interior and damaging the Stomach. Gan Cao (Licorice Root): Although it is a veteran talent, when used with other herbs, the influence of petty forces grows while the influence of noble forces declines, rendering it helpless.

The aforementioned items are either combined into one prescription or divided into two or three prescriptions. If patients mistakenly take them, mild conditions worsen, and severe conditions lead immediately to death; even if they luckily survive, they will inevitably become idiots or suffer from hemiplegia, becoming useless persons. Beware!