abstracted & translated by

Bob Flaws, Lic. Ac., Dipl. Ac. & C.H., FNAAOM (USA), FRCHM (UK)

Keywords: Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, ENT, Meniere's disease, dizziness and vertigo

In issue #8, 2003 of Xin Zhong Yi (New Chinese Medicine) , Pei Jian-feng of the Zhe Chuan County Chinese Medical Hospital in Henan published an article titled, "The Treatment of 28 Cases of Meniere's Disease with Dang Gui Shao Yao San Jia Wei (Dang Gui & Peony Powder with Added Flavors)." This article appeared on pages 68-69 of that journal and a summary is given below.

Cohort description

Among the 28 patients enrolled in this study, there were 15 males and 13 females aged 20-64 years who had suffered from this condition for from seven days to five years. All these patients met the diagnostic criteria for this condition as set forth in Zhong Yi Bing Zheng Zhen Duan Liao Xiao Biao Sun (Criteria for Chinese Medical Disease & Pattern Diagnosis, Treatment & Outcomes) . These included dizziness and vertigo, acute or recurrent onset of the condition, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, deafness, varying degrees of decreased auditory acuity on examination, and exclusion of hypertension, low blood pressure, and cerebral vascular disease.

Treatment method

Dang Gui Shao Yao San Jia Wei consisted of: Radix Angelicae Sinensis ( Dang Gui ), 15g, Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae ( Bai Shao ) and Sclerotium Poriae Cocos ( Fu Ling ), 18g, ginger-processed Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae ( Ban Xia ), 12g, Radix Ligustici Wallichii ( Chuan Xiong ) and Rhizoma Gastrodiae Elatae ( Tian Ma ), 10g, Rhizoma Alismatis ( Ze Xie ), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae ( Bai Zhu ), and Herba Agrimoniae Pilosae ( Xian He Cao ), 30g each. If tinnitus or deafness was marked, 15 grams each of Rhizoma Acori Graminei ( Shi Chang Pu ) and Tuber Curcumae ( Yu Jin ) were added. If vomiting was frequent, 18 grams of Haemititum ( Dai Zhe Shi ) and 10 grams of Flos Inulae Racemosae ( Xuan Fu Hua ) were added. If qi vacuity were severe, 18 grams of Radix Astragali Membranacei ( Huang Qi ) and 15 grams of Radix Codonopsitis Pilosulae ( Dang Shen ). One packet of these medicinals was decocted in water and administered per day, warm and in two divided doses. Seven days equaled one course of treatment and treatment lasted from 1-3 courses.

Treatment outcomes

Cure was defined as stoppage of dizziness and vertigo after treatment, disappearance of nausea and vomiting, and marked improvement in auditory acuity with no recurrence within one year. Some effect meant that the symptoms of dizziness basically disappeared and recurrences were markedly reduced with an improvement in hearing. No effect meant that there was no change in signs and symptoms from before to after treatment. Based on these criteria, 20 cases were judged cured, seven cases got some effect, and only one case got no effect. Therefore, the total effectiveness rate was 95%.

Discussion

According to Dr. Pei, in modern Western medicine, Meniere's disease is mainly due to vasoconstriction of the blood vessels in the inner ear disturbing the microcirculation along with the accumulation of fluids. In Chinese medicine, this condition is mostly due to excessive depression, anger, thinking, and worry and unregulated diet damaging the liver and spleen. Depression and anger lead to damage of the liver, while excessive thinking and worry and unregulated diet lead to damage of the spleen. Liver vacuity and qi depression lead to blood stagnation. Spleen vacuity and qi weakness lead to overwhelming dampness with phlegm congelation and blood stasis. The clear yang is not upborne. Instead, turbid yin counterflow upward resulting in dizziness and vertigo. Therefore, within the above formula, Dang Gui, Bai Shao , and Chuan Xiong quicken the blood and transform stasis, thus increasing the circulation of blood in the brain and relaxing vasoconstriction. Fu Ling, Ze Xie, Bai Zhu , and Ban Xia fortify the spleen and transform phlegm, disinhibit water without damaging yin. They are able to promote discharge and drainage of lymphatic fluids in the inner ear. Tian Ma levels the liver and extinguishes wind, and Xian He Cao nourishes the blood and supplements vacuity. Dr. Pei thinks that both of these medicinals are essential for stopping dizziness and vertigo and their combined use can raise the therapeutic effects in the treatment of this condition. When all these medicinals are used together, their effect is to fortify the spleen and transform phlegm, quicken the blood and free the flow of the network vessels. Because these medicinals match the condition they are meant to treat, they get a good effect.

Copyright © Blue Poppy Press, 2004. All rights reserved.

For more information on the Chinese medical treatment of Meniere's disease, see Bob Flaws & Philippe Sionneau's The Treatment of Modern Western Medical Diseases with Chinese Medicine available from Blue Poppy Press.