Use of Ma Qian Zi (Strychni Semen) in External Linaments

[Guest guest]

I am formulating an external liniment for patients with severe joint

pain due to a wind-damp impediment. I am familiar with the toxicity of

Ma Qian Zi and the dangers of using this herb internally, but I often

see it included in external applications for this purpose. Can anyone

comment on the use of this herb externally, including whether its

apparent effectiveness in relieving pain warrants its use in this type

of preparation and how much of it should be included in a gallon of

liniment? Thanks!

 

Andrew Fisher, L.Ac.

Inner Balance Center of Health

3549 North University Ave., Suite 200

Provo, UT 84604

801.356.7600

www.innerbalancesolutions.com

[Guest guest]

, " taoenergetics "

<haoyu50 wrote:

>

> I am formulating an external liniment for patients with severe joint

> pain due to a wind-damp impediment. I am familiar with the toxicity

of

> Ma Qian Zi and the dangers of using this herb internally, but I often

> see it included in external applications for this purpose. Can anyone

> comment on the use of this herb externally, including whether its

> apparent effectiveness in relieving pain warrants its use in this

type

> of preparation and how much of it should be included in a gallon of

> liniment? Thanks!

 

I've used 15g of ma qian zi per gallon of liniment. I've used both

raw and charred and did not notice a difference either way. I've also

excluded ma qian zi from the recipe, because it is now quite difficult

to obtain, and also did not notice a difference.

 

In Bensky et al, 2nd ed, there is a note about using a paste made from

ma qian zi applied directly to the face for Bell's palsy. I'm going

from memory here, as it has been several years since I've read the

entry.

 

Brian C. Allen

[Guest guest]

I use it in my liniments and I find it very effective. I have not had

the same pain relieving effects when I do not use it. Steve

 

On Apr 3, 2006, at 4:15 PM, bcataiji wrote:

 

> , " taoenergetics "

> <haoyu50 wrote:

>>

>> I am formulating an external liniment for patients with severe joint

>> pain due to a wind-damp impediment. I am familiar with the toxicity

> of

>> Ma Qian Zi and the dangers of using this herb internally, but I often

>> see it included in external applications for this purpose. Can anyone

>> comment on the use of this herb externally, including whether its

>> apparent effectiveness in relieving pain warrants its use in this

> type

>> of preparation and how much of it should be included in a gallon of

>> liniment? Thanks!

>

> I've used 15g of ma qian zi per gallon of liniment. I've used both

> raw and charred and did not notice a difference either way. I've also

> excluded ma qian zi from the recipe, because it is now quite difficult

> to obtain, and also did not notice a difference.

>

> In Bensky et al, 2nd ed, there is a note about using a paste made from

> ma qian zi applied directly to the face for Bell's palsy. I'm going

> from memory here, as it has been several years since I've read the

> entry.

>

> Brian C. Allen

>

>

>

>

>

> Chinese Herbal Medicine offers various professional services,

> including board approved continuing education classes, an annual

> conference and a free discussion forum in Chinese Herbal Medicine.

>

>

>

>