An Empirical TCM Formula for Dizziness Caused by Vertebral Artery Sclerosis and Insufficient Blood Supply
The veteran physician Zhu Yongxian has an empirical formula for treating vertigo caused by vertebral artery sclerosis and insufficient blood supply. The herbs are Danggui, Chuanxiong, Taoren, Honghua, Sanqi powder, Danshen, Heshouwu, Sheng Shanyao, Juemingzi (Cassiae Semen), and Zexie. For patients with severe symptoms and stiffness of the limbs or shoulders and back, Gegen (Puerariae Radix) is added, with good effect. Adding Manjingzi (Viticis Fructus), Shichangpu, and Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) to this formula makes it work even faster.
Dr. Zhu did not note dosages; my usual doses are Danggui 10g, Chuanxiong 10g, Taoren 6g (crushed), Honghua 6g, Sanqi powder 6g (taken infused in two divided doses), Danshen 20g, Heshouwu 15g, Sheng Shanyao 30g, Juemingzi 10g, Zexie 10g, Manjingzi 30g, Baizhi 6g.
This formula treats both root and manifestation. Danggui, Chuanxiong, Taoren, Honghua, Sanqi, and Danshen all activate and nourish blood; Zexie is among the best lipid-lowering herbs in the Chinese materia medica, and Juemingzi and Heshouwu also lower lipids. TCM holds that Juemingzi clears the liver and brightens the eyes, and Heshouwu supplements the liver and kidney; Sheng Shanyao fortifies the spleen.
In clinical practice I have found Manjingzi to have an excellent effect on headache and dizziness; Baizhi disperses wind and treats headache; Shichangpu opens the orifices and resolves phlegm. Combined, these herbs give good results for the dizziness and headache caused by vertebral artery sclerosis and insufficient vertebral artery supply.
If the patient has a tight shoulder and back or numbness of the hands and feet, add Gegen 10–30g; for shoulder and back pain add Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma) 6–10g; for severe nausea and vomiting add Dan Nanxing (bile Arisaema) 6g, Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam) 6g, and Fabanxia (processed Pinelliae Rhizoma) 6g.
This is a common and increasingly frequent disease in recent years, seen mostly in middle-aged and elderly patients. Western medicine has no very good solution, and severe cases require surgery. But oral Chinese medicine can relieve the patient's symptoms, and in mild cases can even achieve a cure.
A patient's family also gave me an empirical formula they had used: Sanqi 100g, Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) 50g, Danshen 50g, Xiyangshen (Panacis Quinquefolii Radix) 50g, all ground together into powder, taking 3–6g infused in the morning and evening. This is said to work well, but I have not personally verified it in my own practice; it is offered for the reader's reference only.