TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS

Diseases of the Spleen

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A. Spleen. B, C, E. Veins of the Spleen
Der gantzen Artzenei, Dryander, 1542

‘Spleen’ disease refers to diseases affecting the Spleen. The Spleen is most affected by Damp and Melancholy which are associated with Spleen Pain or ‘Obstruction’, Hardness and Tumors of the Spleen. Spleen Disease can also be viewed in the greater context of Damp and Melancholy diseases in general.

In TCM, the Spleen is the source of our Qi (via the Spleen’s control over digestion) and so medicines for Spleen Deficiency increase body energy. In TCM, Medicines to strengthen the Spleen and increase Qi are regularly added to those that clear Damp. This is due to the Spleen invariably being weak if Damp has occurred. The same can be said of Melancholy.

Western Tradition

Simples

Dodder
Maidenhair
Agaric
Black Hellebore

Polypody
Centaury
Orris
Lapis Lazuli

Special Medicines:

Chebula 7 (Tibetan) is a special medicine for Spleen diseases: used for pain, injury or hardness of the Spleen.

Splenis aeritudines eradicant –
Eradicates Spleen disease

Diacurcuma Magna
Amomum 19 (Ko la 19) (Tibetan Medicine)
Chebula 7 (A ru bdun pa) (Tibetan)
Oil of Spikenard
Oil of Euphorbium

Splenis doloribus, & oppilationibus conferunt – Spleen pain and obstruction

There will be swelling and pain over the Left side.

Simples:
1. Ash bark infused in Wine, taken for 9 mornings.
2. Hart’s Tongue infused in Wine.
3. Decoction of Elder root
4. Willow twig and bark decoction (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine’, Budge, 1913)
5. Coral taken dries the Spleen (hardness due to damp)
6. Powder of a Fox burnt given in drink.
7. Goat Dung decocted and taken is effective for hardness and obstruction of the Spleen.
8. Take burnt Stag Horn with wine. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine’, Budge, 1913)
9. Calf Bile in Cabbage water (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine’, Budge, 1913)

Topically:
1. Willow leaf stamped with salt and applied to the area of the Spleen.
2. Dock root beaten with vinegar and applied.
3. Tamarisk leaves soaked in vinegar and applied
4. Soak linen cloth in the patients urine and apply to the place. (Brunschwig, 1561)

Syrup of Polypody
Syrup Diarrhodon
Vinegar of Squill
Oxymel of Roots
Troches of Agrimony
Troches of Agnus Castus
Troches of Lacca (Mesue)
Troches of Gallia Sebellinae (Mesue)
Indian Pills (Mesue)
Pills of Rhubarb (Mesue)
Hiera Pachii
Electuary of Calamint (Galen)
Electuary of Saffron Lesser (Diacrocon Minores) (Mesue)
Philonium Romanum (Galen)
Athanasia Greater (Nicholas)
Amomum 19 (Ko la 19) (Tibetan Medicine)
Chebula 7 (A ru bdun pa) (Tibetan)
Oil of Orris
Oil of Bay
Oil of Caper
Plaster of Mustard

Splenis oppilationes aperiunt, & purgant –
Spleen obstruction open and cleanse
Decoction of Stoechas
Decoction of Dodder (Rhasis)
Syrup of Two Roots
Syrup of Five Roots
Syrup of Apple Comp
Vinegar Syrup of 2 Roots
Oxymel Comp
Confection of Winter Cherries
Troches of Agrimony
Troches of Lacca (Mesue)
Troches of Agaric
Troches of Lacca (Trochisci de Lacca) (Mesue)
Athanasia Greater (Nicholas)
Pills of Rhubarb (Mesue)
Indian Pills
Oil of Sesame
Oil of Capers

Spleen, Phlegm and Damp Obstruction

Vinegar of Squill
Syrup of Polypody
Syrup of Two Roots
Syrup of Five Roots
Powder of Cinnamon (Mesue)
Indian Electuary Lesser (Mesue)
Indian Electuary Greater (Mesue)
Pills of Agaric (Mesue)
Pills of Mastic (Mesue)
Chebula 7 (A ru bdun pa) (Tibetan)

Splenis apostema, & duritiem resolvunt –
Resolve Spleen abscess and hardness

Oxymel of Broom flower or seed
Oxymel of Calamint
Troches of Capers
Diasulphur
Diachylon Plaster
Plaster of Meliot
Plaster of Opopanax
Oil of Sesame
Oil of the Philosophers

To Purge in Spleen Obstruction or Hardness
Greater Polycrest Pills (Pil. Aggregative Majores)
Golden Pills (Nicholas)
Pills of Fumitory (Avicenna)
Pills of Agaric (Mesue)
Pills of Lapis Lazuli 1 (Mesue)
Arab Confect Purging Melancholy (Confect. Hamech)
Holy Bitters (Hiera Picra)
Electuary of Dates (Diaphoenicum) (Mesue)
Electuary of Senna (Diasenna) (Nicholas)

To strengthen after

Abbots Confection of Roses (Diarrhodon Abbatis)
Aromatic Rose Compound (Aromaticum Rosatum)
Powder of Anise Compound (Dianisum) (Mesue)
Troches of Agrimony
Troches of Gum Lacca (Trochisci de Lacca) (Mesue)
Troches of Capers Root-bark (Mesue)
Electuary of Bayberries (Electuarium de Baccis Lauri)

TCM Classification

Spleen Qi Deficiency

Poor appetite, nausea, fatigue, pale tongue and a weak pulse
Si Jun Zi Tang
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Spleen Yang Deficiency

As for Spleen Qi deficiency but more severe, with more signs of Cold, loose stool, deep and weak pulse
Zhong Wan
Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan

Spleen Yang Deficiency with Cold Accumulation

As for Spleen Yang deficiency with Constipation, abdominal pain that feels better with warmth,
Wen Pi Tang

Spleen Damp

As for Spleen Qi deficiency with more nausea, greasy tongue coating, slippery pulse
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Special Formulas

SCLEROSIS OF THE SPLEEN

Fern root
Wormwood
Savin tops   equal parts
This was commended. (Ettmuller)

SPLEEN HARDNESS

Wormwood
Celandine
Germander
Fern root
Senna
Black Hellebore
Galangal
Zedoary
Raisins
Cream of Tartar

PLASTER FOR SPLEEN HARDNESS (1)

Fenugreek
Mustard
Barley meals  equal parts

PLASTER FOR SPLEEN HARDNESS (2)

Gum Ammoniac
Bdellium
Myrrh
Frankincense
Powder, mix in vinegar, dip cotton into it and apply. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine’, Budge, 1913)

PLASTER FOR PROTRACTED SPLEEN HARDNESS

Lesser Cardamon
Greater Cardamon
Pyrethrum
Mustard
Fenugreek   equal parts
Powder, mix with vinegar and oil and apply as a plaster over the spleen, replace daily. (Syrian ‘Book of Medicine’, Budge, 1913)

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