An eighty year-old male patient experienced an ischemic stroke (1) one month ago. Prior to the stroke, he suffered from a severe chest infection that did not fully resolve.
He has a long-standing history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic kidney disease for over 40 years, with frequent symptoms including nocturia and lower-limb oedema.
From a TCM perspective, aging and kidney yang deficiency, combined with qi and blood stagnation, may contribute to the accumulation of phlegm and dampness.
Fortunately, his post-stroke symptoms are limited to memory impairment and mild slurred speech, with no mobility issues.
On the 4th of August, he received his third scalp acupuncture (2) treatment, with Dao-qi technique, also electro-acupuncture (3) applied to several key areas, including the FSA, CA, and selected body points on Du-mai and Ren-mai.
I prescribed Bi Min Gan (鼻敏感) (4), a classical formula that expels Wind and relieves nasal congestion to address the patient’s severe seasonal allergic rhinitis. Its main ingredients include Jing Jie (荆芥, Schizonepeta stem or bud) (5), Fang Feng (防风, Saposhnikovia root), Bai Zhi (白芷, Dahurian angelica root), and Gan Cao (甘草, Licorice root), among others. After one week of herbal therapy, signs of dampness and heat were significantly reduced, as shown in the above photos.
On the 11th of August, I selected a modified Jade Screen + (Yu Ping Feng San, 加味玉屏风散) (6) formula, a renowned formula for boosting immune function and strengthening Defensive-Qi, making it an effective preventive remedy for those with recurring hay fever. The modifications were tailored to strengthen both Qi and Blood. Clinical observation confirmed this effect: the tongue surface became smooth, and the curved cracks previously visible had disappeared. These changes indicate that the Spleen function was successfully tonified and Qi and Blood replenished. See the below photo.
1) An ischemic stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot or a build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Without oxygen and nutrients, brain cells start to die within minutes.
2) Efficacy and safety of scalp acupuncture in improving neurological dysfunction after ischemicstroke: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7447452/
4) Bi Min Gan (鼻敏感): to treat wind-cold and wind-heat syndromes, expels dampness, reduces inflammation, clears nasal problem and discharge, and relieve superficies.
5) Jing Jie and Fang Feng: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37315642/
6) Yu Ping Feng San （玉屏风散） is considered the best immune tonic herb in stabilizing and strengthening the protective “Qi”.
