'Changpu Tang' for Stroke Sequelae or Chemotherapy-Induced Numbness of the Hands and Feet

The Shengji Zonglu (Imperial Generalistic Prescriptions) records Changpu Tang (Acorus Decoction) for stroke sequelae. Its composition is: Changpu (Acorus Rhizome), Yuanzhi (Polygala, pith removed), Mutong (Akebia), Baifuling (White Poria), Renshen (Ginseng), Shijueming (Haliotidis Concha), Danggui (Angelica), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), each 1 liang (30 g). Grind the herbs into coarse powder. Take 3 qian (9 g) per dose, boil in 150 ml of water with 3 slices of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and 1 Dazao (Jujube) down to 100 ml, strain, and take warm at any time.

This formula supplements qi and nourishes blood, tonifies the heart and calms the spirit. It is indicated for stroke-induced hemiplegia, numbness of the hands and feet, or weak sinews and vessels that cannot be lifted, with heart deficiency and frequent fright. It can also relieve the side effect of hand-foot numbness after chemotherapy in cancer patients. Changpu Tang has some mitigating effect on nervous system injury: both Changpu and Yuanzhi improve cerebral circulation; Shijueming anchors yang; Renshen supplements deficiency; Fuling fortifies the spleen and leaches dampness; Danggui invigorates blood and unblocks collaterals; Fangfeng dispels wind; Rougui moves through the twelve channels; Mutong leaches dampness and expels phlegm. Combined, these herbs have some effect on repairing cranial nerve injury. Adding ginger and jujube when decocting fortifies the spleen and stomach.

In TCM treatment of nervous-system-injury diseases, Changpu and Yuanzhi are indispensable. Both stroke and chemotherapy can injure the cranial nervous system and weaken the body, so the two conditions may be treated under the principle of "different diseases, same treatment," using the same formula. Both diseases have long courses; if patients respond to this decoction, they may have pills made to the same formula, taking 10 g three times daily for gradual treatment.