Shen Zhen Tong Plaster: A Topical Analgesic Chinese Patent Medicine
Shen Zhen Tong Gao (Shenzhen Analgesic Plaster) is a topical analgesic Chinese patent medicine produced by several manufacturers. It is a Class B medical-insurance prescription drug and can be purchased at insured hospitals or pharmacies.
Its ingredients include: Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix), Dannanxing (bile Arisaema), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Gouji (Cibotii Rhizoma), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma), Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Honghua (Carthami Flos), Tubiechong (Eupolyphaga/Steleophaga, ground beetle), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Xuejie (Draconis Sanguis, dragon's blood), Maqianzi (Strychni Semen, nux vomica), Moyao (Myrrha), Zhangnao (Camphora, camphor), Chonglou (Paridis Rhizoma), Bohenao (Mentholum, menthol), Ruxiang (Olibanum), methyl salicylate, Bingpian (Borneolum, borneol), clove basil oil (Ocimum gratissimum oil), Shexiang (Moschus, musk), belladonna liquid extract, and Xiongdanfen (Ursi Fellis Pulvis, bear bile powder). The product is a brownish-brown rubber plaster patch with an aromatic odor.
The main actions of Shen Zhen Tong Gao are to activate blood and disperse stasis, reduce swelling and relieve pain. It is indicated for bruises and sprains, rheumatic joint pain, and low back and shoulder pain; it can also be used to relieve some cancer pain. It is applied directly to the affected area. It should not be used by those with rheumatic heat arthralgia (joint redness, swelling, heat, pain), broken skin, or skin allergy.
In this formula, Sanqi, Chuanxiong, Honghua, Tubiechong, Danggui, Xuejie, Moyao, Ruxiang, Shexiang, Maqianzi, Baizhi, Qianghuo, Fangfeng, and Shengma all have some blood-activating and analgesic effect; Chonglou, Bohenao, Zhangnao, Bingpian, and Xiongdanfen clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and relieve pain; Dannanxing and Shichangpu resolve phlegm, scatter nodulation, and stop pain.
Used together, these herbs produce good blood-activating, heat-clearing, swelling-reducing, and pain-relieving effects. Most of the herbs in this product have some antitumor activity, and transdermal delivery has some inhibitory effect on tumors near the body surface. But tumor treatment cannot rely on this plaster alone; it should integrate various Chinese and Western antitumor approaches comprehensively.
Topical medicines have few side effects, and transdermal delivery allows continuous medication—that is their advantage. Still, a few patients develop skin allergy after using plasters; if allergy appears, stop using it. Most mild allergic symptoms resolve on their own after stopping; severe allergy requires a doctor's attention.