"Pi Kuai Gao" (Abdominal-Mass Plaster): External Use to Dissipate Masses

"Pi Kuai Gao" comes from Hui Yi Tang Jing Yan Fang (Proven Formulas from Huikang Hall). It consists of: Chuan Jiao (Sichuan pepper, closed-mouth fruits) 49 pieces, Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis, whole) 7 pieces. Preparation: decoct the above in 4 liang (120 g) of true sesame oil until charred, remove the dregs; add 2 liang (60 g) of qian fen (lead powder) and cook into a plaster; remove from heat; add 1 qian (3 g) of She Xiang (musk), stir well, and spread on cloth. Apply to the affected area. For the She Musk in this formula, artificial musk should now be used, because natural musk is expensive; as an external medicine, 3 g of good natural musk costs thousands of yuan, which is not worth it.

This formula dissipates masses and nodules. It is indicated for food stagnation and abdominal distension and fullness. I have previously written about the effects of Wu Bei Zi (Galla); Galla has anti-cancer and swelling-reducing effects, and a plaster made solely from Galla powder for external use has some effect in treating goiter.

Galla inhibits liver cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, oral cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, and other cancers. Galla tannins markedly inhibit the growth of breast cancer MGF-7; after treatment with Galla tannins, the protein levels and protein phosphorylation levels of estrogen receptors drop significantly. Galla tannic acid also lowers the expression of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), Her-2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), and Her-3; and estrogen, EGF, Her-2, etc. are precisely important causes of breast cancer. Galla can also treat inflammatory boils and swellings such as folliculitis and cellulitis, as well as tinea pedis and hemorrhoids. Thus Galla is one of the commonly used herbs in TCM external medicine.

This formula pairs Chuan Jiao with Wu Bei Zi. Chuan Jiao is the Chinese prickly ash we use daily as a seasoning, also called Shu Jiao, Ba Jiao, Da Jiao, etc. TCM holds that Zanthoxylum warms the middle and stops pain, dries dampness and stops diarrhea, kills parasites and stops itching. It is indicated for cold pain in the stomach and abdomen due to spleen-stomach cold deficiency, roundworm abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cough and asthma due to lung cold, toothache, genital itching and vaginal discharge, and eczema with skin itching.

Modern pharmacology shows that the water extract of Zanthoxylum promotes gastrointestinal motility, counters the formation of salt-induced gastric ulcers, excites smooth muscle, has anti-diarrheal and liver-protective effects, and also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects, and can protect myocardial cells and restore brain-cell damage from cerebral ischemia. Zanthoxylum can even be used as a local anesthetic. Its volatile oil also has anti-cancer effects against liver cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, and other cancers.

Decocting Galla and Zanthoxylum until charred in sesame oil is a way of extracting their active components with oil.

Qian fen (lead powder) is also a commonly used herb in TCM external medicine. TCM holds that lead powder disperses accumulations, resolves toxin, kills parasites, and promotes tissue growth. It can be used to treat dysentery, nutritional impairment, abdominal pain from parasites, and also abdominal concretions, scabies and tinea, ulcers, boils, mouth sores, burns, and erysipelas.

She Xiang (Musk) moves qi and disperses stasis, reduces swelling and stops pain. Musk is one of the commonly used herbs in oncology; in TCM anti-tumor prescriptions, whether external or internal, musk is mostly used.

The main effect of this combination is therefore to dissipate masses and nodules. There is no commercial ready-made plaster of this kind on the market; patients who wish to try it can make the plaster themselves from the prescription. Once made, buy empty plaster patches, fill them with the prepared plaster, and apply to the affected area. This formula has some swelling- and nodule-dissipating effect on palpable surface masses. Whether cancerous or inflammatory, they may be tried; as long as there is no serious adverse reaction, it can be used for a while to observe efficacy.

This formula can also be used to treat diarrhea, abdominal pain, indigestion, and dysentery. For such diseases, apply the plaster to the navel. People with skin allergy should use the plaster cautiously; those who feel discomfort after using it should stop.