Epilepsy, commonly known as "convulsions" or "fits", is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of brief loss of consciousness, limb spasms, and convulsions. Traditional Chinese medicine has methods to treat epilepsy. Let's take a look together!
Causes of Epilepsy
Epilepsy can be classified into two types based on its causes: primary and secondary.
1. Primary Epilepsy
The cause of primary epilepsy is unknown, and there are no obvious pathological or metabolic changes in the brain. Various changes in the internal and external environment within the physiological range can trigger its onset.
Primary epilepsy often occurs around the age of 5 or during adolescence.
2. Secondary Epilepsy
Secondary epilepsy is caused by various diseases.
For example, encephalitis, meningitis, cerebral parasitic diseases, brain tumors, brain trauma, cerebral hypoxia, lead or mercury poisoning, etc., can all lead to the occurrence of this disease.
Incidence of Primary and Secondary Epilepsy
Epilepsy has a certain hereditary predisposition.
The incidence rate of epilepsy in relatives of patients with primary epilepsy is 4 to 7.2 times that of the general population.
The incidence rate of secondary epilepsy is 2 to 3.6 times.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Remedies for Epilepsy
1. Whole Scorpion
The taste of whole scorpion is pungent and slightly warm. It enters the liver meridian and can extinguish wind and stop spasms, promote blood circulation and relieve pain, and detoxify and disperse stagnation.
It is suitable for convulsions caused by wind pathogen. It is praised as the "essential medicine for stopping spasms and convulsions".
Whole scorpion contains scorpion toxin, a toxic protein that can paralyze the respiratory center and has hemolytic effects. Experimental studies have shown that it has anticonvulsant effects.
It is important to note that whole scorpion is toxic, so the dosage should be carefully considered. The commonly used dosage is generally 2 to 5 grams (or 1 to 3 scorpions), with 1 to 2 grams of the scorpion tail.
2. Centipede
Centipede: Its taste is salty and warm. It enters the liver meridian and can extinguish wind and stop spasms, promote blood circulation and relieve pain, and attack toxins and disperse stagnation.
It has a strong effect in extinguishing wind and stopping spasms and is suitable for convulsions and facial and eye deviation caused by epilepsy.
Centipede contains two toxic components similar to bee venom, namely histamine-like substances and hemolytic proteins. It has certain toxicity, and experimental studies have shown that it has central inhibition, anticonvulsant, and analgesic effects.
The antispasmodic effect is stronger than that of whole scorpion. The commonly used dosage is 1 to 3 grams (1 to 3 centipedes), which can be reduced by half for pills or powders, and the powdered form is taken orally at 0.6 to 1 gram each time.
3. Cicada Molt
Cicada molt: Its taste is sweet and cold. It enters the liver and lung meridians. It can dispel wind-heat, cool the liver, extinguish wind, stop spasms, and is commonly used for convulsions.
The main component of cicada molt is chitin. Animal experiments have shown that it has sedative, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, anti-allergic, immune inhibitory, analgesic, and nerve ganglion-blocking effects.
The commonly used dosage is 3 to 10 grams, decocted and taken orally, or powdered and taken with water.
