Styrax 14

Styrax 14 is based on Chinese formulas used for the treatment of obstructed circulation in the chest. There are patent remedies of similar nature, such as Guanxin Suhe Wan - an aromatic mixture of herbal materials, including styrax, borneol, sandalwood, and frankincense - used for prevention and treatment of angina pectoris. Styrax 14 also includes the combination of san-chi, red peony, cnidium, salvia, and carthamus that is widely used in Chinese clinics to invigorate blood circulation (labeled Coronary Heart #2). This formula differs from other blood vitalizing prescriptions, such as Salvia Shou Wu, Lindera 15, and San Qi 17, by its inclusion of several highly aromatic agents: styrax, cardamon, sandalwood, and borneol for opening orifices and resolving a wind phlegm disorder (see Gastrodia 9, used when wind-phlegm affects the surface muscles). The wind aspect is the tendency to have sudden closures of circulation, as occurs with arterial spasms. The phlegm aspect has to do with the accumulation of substances that contribute to blockage, such as the fatty atheromas of atherosclerosis. Aside from the cardiac applications, the formula can be used for any other situation of blockage that might arise for which the gentler vitalizing formulas are inadequate. Tien-chi Ginseng Tablets (Pine Mountain) can provide additional amounts of san-chi, as can Vitality Tablets (Seven Forests). In the treatment of mental disorders, orifice opening herbs, such as those in Styrax 14 are combined with calming herbs, as found in Ardisia 16, Acorus Tablets, Bamboo 11, Salvia/Amber Tablets, or Fu-shen 16, to alleviate liver or heart agitation that causes abrupt emotional distress, such as bouts of anger or panic attacks.