TRADITIONAL INTERNAL MEDICINE – DISEASES & FORMULAS

Spasms & Cramps

‘Spasms that occur spontaneously are due to moisture, while after a fever or an evacuation
they are due to dryness. Bleed him whose spasms come from moisture, and let him drink
castoreum and dried pepper. The other one treat with plant macerations, hot water, animal
fats, henna oil and, if there is not too much heat, lily oil, for it is extremely softening; further
keep fomenting him with hot water, and afterwards embrocate him with oil, so that any
moisture is preserved for him”. (Rhazes)

Western Tradition

Antispasmodic Infusion
Syrup of Stoechas (Fernelius)
Tincture of Camomile
Tincture of Juniper Berry
Tincture of Lemon Thyme
Tincture of Sage
Tincture of Valerian
Powder for Cold Diseases of the Head (Renodeus)
Troches of Myrrh (Rhasis)
Pills of Opopanax
Pills of Sagapen
Ointment of Bdellium
Oil of Saffron
Oil of Pepper

Pearl 25 (Mu tig nyer lnga) (Tibetan Medicine)

To Purge in Spasms
Diaturbith cum Rhubarb
Hiera Logadii
Electuary of Dates (Diaphoenicum) (Mesue)

To Strengthen after Treatment
Electuary of Calamus (Diacorum) (Mesue)
Powder of Musk Sweet (Diamoschu Dulce) (Mesue)

Special Formula:

Pills for Spasms and Contractures
    Nutmeg
    Pyrethrum
    Calamus
    Frankincense         equal parts
(De Morbis Internis Curandis, Mesue, 1551)

Expert Antidote for Stiffness
    Clove
    Pepper
    Samnian Earth
    Senna
    Spikenard, of each    1 dram
Take in wine. (Medicamentorum Opus, Nicolas, 1625).

TCM Classification

Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang
Bu Gan Tang
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Da Ding Feng Zhu
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang

Severe Spasms from Internal Wind
Zhi Jing San