chang shan & inclusion body myositis

October 13, 2009

Hello,

I have a question about the herb chang shan and I am also looking for guidance

on the herbal treatment of inclusion body myositis or IBM (which is an

autoimmune/inflammatory condition leading to muscular atrophy).

Currently I'm treating a patient with this diagnosis who presents with advanced

muscular atrophy and mild to moderate dysphagia. He can walk but has minimal to

no ability to bend at knees, lift his own legs or make a full fist. He runs hot

in the afternoon and evenings, has high cholesterol, hypertension, tendency

toward constipation with dry stool, cold feet, mild pitting edema of the ankles

and feet, dysphagia that requires sipping water to assist with complete

swallowing. His tongue is mildly red and dusky, slightly large with very

shallow or superficial cracks throughout and a thick greasy yellow coat only in

the back. His pulse is thin and deep. I am treating him for a combination of

Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency and excess damp heat but the formula is mostly

nourishing yin due to the chronic and advanced nature of his disease. Any

thoughts or specific herbal advice on the treatment of this case would be

appreciated.

On another note. This patient has presented me with an article touting the use

of the molecular compound, halofuginine (apparently found in chang shan,

Dichroa febrifuga) for autoimmune diseases, to suppress inflammatory response.

(For a summary article see:

this article does not mention chang shan, but I have confirmed with the author

that chang shan is the origin of the halofuginine derivative described in this

study. My patient is anxious for me to include chang shan in his herbal formula.

However I am not comfortable doing so but told him that I would research it

further. I was wondering if others with more experience have used chang shan in

a formula for its western pharmacological effects and if so, at what dose?

Similarly, at what dose does chang shan induce vomiting? I know at times an

herb can be used for its western pharmacological effect and am curious if there

is any possibility in this case or if the herb is just too toxic.

Thank you in advance,

Michelle N. Soucy, Lic. Ac., MAOM

Concord Center Acupuncture

91 Main St, Suite 201

Concord MA, 01742

(978) 369-9400

Recommended Posts