Calamus Tablets

Calamus Tablets is a derivative of a traditional prescription that remains widely used in China: Rhubarb and Eupolyphaga Formula (Dahuang Zhechong Wan), which treats a blood stasis syndrome in weakened individuals. For example, it is given for consumptive disorders with abdominal pain and dryness (e.g., constipation, dry skin); applications in China, sometimes with slight modifications to the original formula, include a variety of liver diseases (e.g., cirrhosis, liver cancer), amenorrhea, and fibroids. Consumptive diseases that are presented to practitioners of Chinese medicine today include cancer, terminal liver disease, and AIDS. Calamus Tablets also reflects the formula Duo Ming Dan (Life Saving Pellet; it includes the ingredients calamus, persica, rhubarb, and carthamus) which is used in treatment of head injuries, bone fractures, and other blood stasis disorders. The current formula includes peony and rehmannia to nourish the blood and yin, plus scute and raw rehmannia to cool the associated deficiency heat. The blood vitalizers included here are said to “crack” the static blood that is blocking one’s vitality. After the major part of the blood stasis is resolved, one can switch to combined tonic and blood vitalizing therapies for long-term recovery. In this formula, rhubarb with persica provides a mild laxative effect for dry constipation (see Rhubarb 17). This formula may be helpful for persons with advanced cancer who are taking morphine and suffering from morphine-induced constipation (can be supplemented by Rhubarb 17). Other formulas for blood stasis pain in the abdomen include Lower Palace Tablets and Lindera 15. Addition of Dan Shen Pian, which provides the single herb salvia, may enhance the blood vitalizing properties.

TO PERSONALIZE, ADD
Lotus Leaf Tablets for liver cirrhosis and fatty liver
Salvia Shou Wu for peripheral vascular diseases
Corydalis 5 for abdominal pain due to blood stasis
Bupleurum-S for intestinal adhesions
San Qi 17 or Myrrh Tablets for injury pain
Achyranthes Tablets for leg thrombosis
Paris 7 or Chih-ko/Curcuma for liver cancer
Rhubarb 17 for constipation from advanced disease

 This formula is intended for use over a period of
several weeks to resolve blood stasis; one may
then switch to other milder blood vitalizing
formulas, such as Salvia Shou Wu or Millettia 9.