Flex (NP) ™
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
* Neuropathy: peripheral neuropathy, polyneuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, drug-induced neuropathy
* Neuralgia: trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia
* Peripheral vascular disease
* General pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, and muscle wasting, especially in the extremities
WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
* Analgesic function to relieve pain
* Anti-inflammatory function to reduce swelling and inflammation
* Circulatory effect to improve peripheral blood circulation to facilitate healing and recovery
* Treats causes of peripheral neuropathy, such as trauma, infection, and accumulation of drugs and toxic chemicals
DOSAGE
Take 3 to 4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach, with warm water. Dosage may be increased to 6 to 8 capsules three times daily, if necessary.
INGREDIENTS
Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba)
Chuan Mu Xiang (Radix Vladimiriae)
Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae)
Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)
Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei)
Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae)
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Dang Gui Wei (Extremitas Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Er Cha (Catechu)
Fu Ling (Poria)
Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae)
Hong Hua (Flos Carthami)
Huang Jin Gui (Caulis Vanieriae)
Liu Zhi Huang (Herba Solidaginis)
Lu Lu Tong (Fructus Liquidambaris)
Mo Gu Xiao (Caulis Hyptis Capitatae)
Mo Yao (Myrrha)
Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan)
Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii)
Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae)
Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum)
Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae)
Tao Ren (Semen Persicae)
Xue Jie (Sanguis Draconis)
Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis)
BACKGROUND
Neuropathy is defined as a functional disturbance or pathological change in the peripheral nervous system. Symptoms of neuropathy include sensory loss, muscle weakness and atrophy, and pain. Etiologies of neuropathy include trauma, infection by micro-organisms, drugs, nutritional deficiency, metabolic disorders, malignancy, and unknown causes. Due to the wide range of causes, treatment varies. Herbal treatment of neuropathy focuses on relieving symptoms (pain) and the cause (such as poor circulation, increased cellular pressure, trauma, and infection).
FORMULA EXPLANATION
According to traditional Chinese medicine, peripheral neuropathy, polyneuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, distal polyneuropathy, neuralgia, and fibromyalgia have various etiologies. However, they all share one common factor – pain due to blood stagnation. Therefore, Flex (NP) is formulated to treat nerve pain by activating blood circulation and eliminating blood stagnation.
Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) and Hong Hua (Flos Carthami) are often paired together to synergistically invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stagnation. Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum), Mo Yao (Myrrha), Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae), and Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis) together invigorate blood circulation and relieve pain. Er Cha (Catechu) and Xue Jie (Sanguis Draconis) promote the generation of new tissues. Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan) moves blood and clears heat associated with local inflammation due to blood stagnation. Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Dang Gui Wei (Extremitas Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), and Lu Lu Tong (Fructus Liquidambaris) open the channels and collaterals to relieve pain by invigorating blood circulation to the extremities. Fu Ling (Poria) is used to strengthen the middle jiao to promote absorption of the herbs.
Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) clears heat, removes blood stasis and helps with blood circulation. Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) softens the Liver and benefits the tendons and sinews to relieve tightness, numbness, tingling, and pain. Chuan Mu Xiang (Radix Vladimiriae) invigorates qi circulation in the channels to assist the overall pain-relieving effects of this formula.
Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii), Huang Jin Gui (Caulis Vanieriae), Mo Gu Xiao (Caulis Hyptis Capitatae), and Liu Zhi Huang (Herba Solidaginis) are used to relieve pain in the joints and extremities. Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) and Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) are used to harmonize the formula and the middle jiao.
CAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS
* This formula is contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing.
* This herbal formula contains herbs that invigorate blood circulation, such as Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Dang Gui Wei (Extremitas Radix Angelicae Sinensis). Therefore, patients who are on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies, such as Coumadin (warfarin), should use this formula with caution, or not at all, as there may be a higher risk of bleeding and bruising.
* The following warning statement is required by the State of California: “This product contains Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain because Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea or if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.”
SUPPLEMENTARY FORMULAS
* For neuropathy due to chronic exposure to harmful toxins and chemicals, add Herbal DTX.
* For diabetic neuropathy, use with Equilibrium.
* To potentiate the effect to relieve pain, add Herbal ANG.
* For nerve pain in the neck and shoulder area, add Neck & Shoulder (AC) or Neck & Shoulder (CR).
* For nerve pain in the arm (shoulder, elbow, and wrist), add Arm Support.
* For nerve pain in the lower back, add Back Support (AC) or Back Support (CR).
* For nerve pain in the back from herniated disk, add Back Support (HD).
* For nerve pain in the knees, add Knee & Ankle (AC) or Knee & Ankle (CR).
* For nerve pain with chronic musculoskeletal disorder with damaged soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments), add Flex (MLT).
* With excess heat, add Gardenia Complex.
* With severe blood stagnation, add Circulation (SJ).
* For lymphedema, add Resolve (AI).
NUTRITION
* Nutritional balance is essential in the treatment and prevention of neuropathy. It is important to make sure that there is adequate intake of various nutrients in a well-balanced diet. If necessary, supplement the diet with vitamins and minerals.
* Increase the intake of foods that contain thiamine (vitamin B1), such as whole grains and green vegetables, to maintain nerve health. Do not consume white sugar and white flour products, as they deplete the body of B vitamins.
LIFESTYLE INSTRUCTIONS
* Tight control over blood glucose levels is essential in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Diet, exercise, and herbal treatment will be extremely beneficial in maintaining normal blood glucose levels.
* Nerve pain can be relieved with light massage using a solution of apple cider vinegar water, which is made by mixing ½ cup apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of warm water.
* Application of hot wraps for half an hour is also effective to relieve pain.
* Avoid exposure to toxic agents or industrial poisons that cause nerve damage, such as carbon monoxide, heavy metals (especially lead or mercury), and many chemical solvents.
* Do not take harmful drugs that cause nerve damage, such as antibiotics (sulfonamides, nitrofurantoin, chlorobutanol), antiseizure drugs (phenytoin), sedatives (barbital, hexobarbital) and anticancer drugs (vinca alkaloids).