Chonglou Jiedu Ding: A Topical Tincture for Herpes Zoster
Chonglou Jiedu Ding is a Chinese patent medicine—more precisely, it was originally a Miao ethnic medicine. It is a topical preparation used by the Miao people for herpes zoster, skin pruritus, insect-bite dermatitis, and epidemic parotitis. Because of its marked effect it was promoted and has now become a widely used patent medicine, available in pharmacies in most places.
Its ingredients are: Chonglou (Paris polyphylla), wild aconite (Caowu), mugwort leaf (Aiye), grass-leaved sweetflag (Shichangpu), garlic, and natural borneol. Its action is to clear heat and resolve toxicity, scatter stasis and stop pain. It is indicated for herpes zoster due to fire-toxin in the liver channel, skin pruritus, insect-bite dermatitis, and epidemic parotitis.
Chonglou in this formula is also called Zao Xiu or Qiye Yizhihua; it is the dried rhizome of the Liliaceae plants Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis or Paris polyphylla. It is bitter and cold with a slight toxicity, and clears heat and resolves toxicity, reduces swelling and stops pain, cools the liver and settles convulsions. It is indicated for deep welling abscesses and carbuncles, sore swollen throat, snake and insect bites, traumatic pain, and fright convulsions. Chonglou is one of the most commonly used herbs in TCM external medicine, with broad-spectrum antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic action, and also some anti-tumor action; TCM texts through the ages record many uses of Chonglou to treat disease. This formula is named for and centered on Chonglou because Chonglou addresses both the branch (pain relief) and the root of the various conditions above.
Wild aconite, mugwort leaf, sweetflag, garlic, and natural borneol all have some analgesic and some antimicrobial action; they assist Chonglou and strengthen its swelling-reducing, pain-relieving effect. Wild aconite and natural borneol are both toxic, and wild aconite is even highly toxic. Therefore this preparation may only be applied externally and must never be taken internally.
Chonglou Jiedu Ding alone can treat herpes zoster, though the course is relatively long; if taken internally at the same time, a heat-clearing, toxicity-resolving formula such as Wuwei Xiaodu Yin (Five-Ingredient Toxin-Dispersing Drink) will speed recovery. Alternatively, with integrated Chinese-Western treatment—Chonglou Jiedu Ding applied externally, and acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir taken internally—the course can be shortened.
In addition, herpes zoster responds best to treatment within 72 hours of onset, and is then less likely to leave aftereffects.