Prunella 8

Prunella 8 is based on modern Chinese clinical treatments for hyperthyroid condition, which is ultimately based on the therapies for resolving lumps. The Chinese concept involves the following: there is an underlying deficiency of qi and yin and is at the basis of the disease (treated here by astragalus and ho-shou-wu); the secondary manifestation is deficiency heat (treated here by raw rehmannia, peony, and moutan) and swelling (treated by prunella, cyperus, and sinapis). One result of this syndrome is a thyroid enlargement associated with hyperthyroidism. The same underlying syndrome can cause other swellings, such as breast lumps and lymph node swelling, and other chronic heat syndromes, such as hyperactivity, sore throat, and low grade fever. This particular formula is similar to Astragalus and Ho-shou-wu Combination (Yiqi Yangyin Tang), a therapy that had been reported in the Chinese literature as being effective for hyperthyroidism in numerous patients. Because thyroid diseases are sometimes rapidly progressive or are not diagnosed until after such progression, it is recommended for most cases that therapy begins with a formula prepared by decoction or using dried decoctions for at least one month to get a high dosage, with the tablet formula used for more convenient long-term treatment. Similarly, for other swellings, and in cases of more severe disease, begin with the decoction from and follow-up with the tablet. If the decoctions are not acceptable for the individual using the herbs, then the tablets should be used in large amounts, such as 6 tablets three times daily, accompanied by a second formula to address the specific symptom pattern.