Guzengsheng Analgesic Plaster
Guzengsheng Zhentong Gao (Bone-Hyperplasia Analgesic Plaster) is an external plaster specifically for various hyperostotic osteoarthritides. Its composition includes safflower (honghua), drynaria rhizome (gusuibu), Sichuan lovage rhizome (chuanxiong), Chinese honeylocust aborted galls (zhuya zao), Chinese angelica tail (danggui wei), raw Sichuan lovage (sheng chuanxiong), Asarum herb (xixin), raw Aconitum kusnezoffii (sheng caowu), notopterygium root (qianghuo), white mustard seed (baijiezi), angelica pubescens root (duhuo), raw Arisaema (sheng tiannanxing), raw Pinellia (sheng banxia), gardenia fruit (zhizi), dried ginger (ganjiang), eucalyptus oil (anshu you), turmeric root (jianghuang), camphor (zhangnao), and realgar (xionghuang). The product is a light brownish-yellow rubber plaster sheet with an aromatic odor.
Guzengsheng Zhentong Gao warms the channels and frees the network vessels, expels wind and dampness, dissipates stasis, and relieves pain. It is indicated for various hyperostotic osteoarthritides, and may also be used for rheumatoid arthritis and cancer pain from bone metastasis, presenting as joint swelling, numbness, pain, and restricted movement. Apply the plaster directly to the affected area once or twice daily.
The herbs used include both channel-warming, vessel-unblocking ones (such as Asarum, notopterygium, angelica pubescens, and dried ginger) and heat-clearing, swelling-reducing ones (such as gardenia and camphor). Thus its indications are not limited to cold patterns but also include various mixed cold-heat patterns.
Raw Aconitum kusnezoffii, raw Arisaema, raw Pinellia, and realgar are all toxic; raw aconite, arisaema, and pinellia are even highly toxic, so the plaster should not be applied to broken skin. External plasters can sometimes cause rash or allergic reactions; for safety, people with a history of skin allergy should also avoid it. Those without such a history who develop adverse reactions after use should also stop. The product must not be taken internally; although the herbs are not very toxic when applied externally, ingesting them can be fatal.
Guzengsheng Zhentong Gao can be used for cancer pain from bone metastasis or other palpable external tumors whose skin has not ulcerated. Although zhuya zao, raw aconite, raw arisaema, raw pinellia, and realgar are all somewhat toxic, they also have anti-cancer effects: they not only relieve pain but can also inhibit tumor growth. However, the plaster should not be relied upon alone for anti-cancer treatment.