RopinoHerb RLS for Restless Leg Syndrome
Ingredients, Functions, and Physician Warnings
Base Formula: Tian Wang Bu XIn Dan Jia Jian
(Heavenly Emperor's Nourish The Heart Pill Modified)
Ingredients, Functions, Indications, Warnings
RopinoHerb RLS for restless leg syndrome is based on Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (Heavenly Emperor's Nourish the Heart Pills). This formula first appeared in the text "Secret Investigation into Obtaining Health" published in the year 1638. This formula nourishes the Kidney yin to cool the heat in the Heart causing restlessness.
Other ingredients assume other possible causes for internal heat that rises up to the Heart to cause restlessness. While the article that describes the cause of RLS focuses on Yin deficiency, TCM practitioners never assume that any two people will present with the exact same cause for their internal heat. So, this formula also addresses a number of the lesser known but commonly found causes for internal heat. If you'd like a formula that addresses your specific cause of internal heat, you can look into a Beyond Well Being Custom Formula just for you.
At the bottom of this page are a few paragraphs on how long this formula should take to work for you. Please see: "prognosis".
Dan Shen
(Rx. Salvae)
Cools Blood, calms restlessness.
Many Chinese herbs are considered "cool" or "cold" in nature. They all have cooling functions, but Dan Shen also has an affinity for the Heart. By cooling the Heart, restlessness is relieved.
Note to physicians: Because Dan Shen can thin the blood, it is not recommended to be used with other blood thinners less the blood become too thin and cause internal bleeding. This is an issue if you're taking warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine), and clopidogrel (Plavix). Source: Chen J. Chan-K. Lo-AC, Yeung-JH, and Woo-KS. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, (1995, May) vol. 47(5):402-6. Additionally, Dan Shen may alter the serum digoxin concentrations in certain tests. A reliable test that is not interfered by Dan Shen is monitoring the free digoxin concentration. Source: Wahed A., Dasgupta A.,American Journal of clinical Pathology. 116(3):403-8, 2001 Sep.
Dang Gui
(Rx. Angelica)
Nourishes Blood, calms spirit.
We've been mostly talking about "yin" or body fluids in controlling the Heart fire, however Blood too is an important part of this process. Dang Gui stimulates the production of Blood and helps the heart to remain well nourished with Blood, a subset of the larger concept of "yin".
Note to physicians: Because Dang Gui can thin the blood, it is not recommended to be used with other blood thinners less the blood become too thin and cause internal bleeding. This is an issue if you're taking warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine), and clopidogrel (Plavix). Source: Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, (1995, May) vol. 47(5):402-6
Suan Zao Ren
(Sm. Zizyphi)
Eliminates insomnia, absorbs sweat.
Suan Zao Ren is another one of those herbs that "nourishes Blood" to address insomnia and restlessness. Suan Zao Ren is famous for deep restful sleep. While its sedative effect is no where near as strong as a cold tablet, it is believed to have the ability to stimulate the production of those neurotransmitters in the brain that reduce fidgeting, restlessness, and insomnia. Suan Zao Ren's secondary function is to absorb inappropriate sweating which can help to prevent further loss of the body fluids needed to calm and nourish the Heart.
Note to physicians: Suan Zao Ren could potentiate the sedative effect of barbiturates including drugs such as antihistamines, narcotic analgesics, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and many others. Source: Chang Yong Zhong Yao Xian Dai Yan Jiu Yu Lin Chuan (Recent Study & Clinical Application of Common Traditional Chinese Medicine), 1995; 489:491
Bai Zi Ren
(Sm. Biotae)
Calms palpitations, nourishes sleep.
Like suan zao ren, bai zi ren is famous for nourishing the Blood to effect the physical (biomedical) and metaphoric (TCM) Heart. While its sedative effect is no where near as strong as a cold tablet, it likely has the ability to stimulate the production of those neurotransmitters in the brain that address restlessness and insomnia.
Zhi Da Huang
(Rx. et Rz. Rhei)
Cools Blood, calms restlessness.
This is rhubarb root. Da Huang is commonly used as a stool softener. In this particular application, the herb is steamed in wine first to weaken that function, but strengthens its ability to cool and move the blood. There are many places where heat can stagnate, if its showing up in the Blood, Da Huang will cool it off thus relieving restlessness.
Note to physicians: Prolonged use of Da Huang may cause loss of potassium, leading to increased toxicity of cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin (Lanoxin). (I believe that this particular issue is a greater problem when using Da Huang as a purgative. In this particular formula, diarrhea is an unlikely side effect due to the steamed in wine version of the herb being used rather than the raw form that is used for purgation. -al.) Source: Brinker, F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., 1996
Bai He
(Bulbis Lilii)
Nourishes Heart, Calms Spirit
Lilly bulb is such a popular herb that it is considered equally adept in the context of a food. It is used for restlessness due to that Heart yin deficiency that we keep talking about, but also for insomnia and irritability.
Note to physicians: Bai He has a sedative effect and use with barbiturates may increase the drug-induced sleep time. This might also apply to concurrent use of antihistamines, narcotic analgesics, benzodiazepines, etc. Source: Zhong Yao Cai (Study of Chinese Herbal Material), 1990; 13(6):31
Huang Qin
(Rx. Scutellariae)
Cools n'Pacifies Shao Yang
What's a shao yang? The shao yang channels are a funky location where heat can collect leading to more restlessness, but with the addition of frustration and general emotional disharmony. Getting your shao yang to vent its heat is a great way to calm down. You don't want a hot shao yang, do you?
Note to physicians: Concurrent use of baicalin, a flavone isolated from Huang Qin, was found to have synergistic antibiotic effect with beta-lactam antibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, methicillin, and cefotaxime. The addition of baicalin restored the effectiveness of these drugs against beta-lactam-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Source: J Pharm Pharmacol 2000 Mar;52(3):361-6
Huang Lian
(Rz. Coptis)
Clears Fire, Calms Restlessness
Huang Lian clears some of the causes of heat in the Heart that aren't specifically due to a Heart Yin deficiency. Heat can come from anywhere, and because heat tends to rise, and the Heart is high up in the body, it always has to deal with heat that rises from the Stomach or Large Intestine.
Lian Qiao
(Rx. Platycodon)
Clears Fire, Calms Restlessness
Another herb that addresses a unique cause of heat that rises from the Stomach. Sometimes, eating too much will cause a sort of back-up in the Stomach. I call this the "Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast Syndrome" where you eat too much and feel like you're carrying it around for the rest of the day. Well, if that sensation of a full stomach happens into the sleep period, the heat that is generated from that food back-up rises to the heart and causes restlessness. It is also noted for its ability to generate nightmares, generally in the earlier part of the night. These nightmares aren't logical, they're just weird. One solution besides the inclusion of this herb into this formula is not to eat late at night.
Chi Shao
(Rx. Paeonia)
Clears Fire, Calms Restlessness
Whenever there is a lack of movement, heat can arise leading to restlessness. Chi Shao helps the blood move and has a cool nature to further address the heat from stagnation.
Note to physicians: Because Chi Shao can thin the blood, it is not recommended to be used with other blood thinners less the blood become too thin and cause internal bleeding. This is an issue if you're taking warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine), and clopidogrel (Plavix). Source: Chen J. Recognition & Prevention of herb-drug interactions, Medical Acupuncture, Fall/Winter 1998/1999; volume 10/number 2;9-13
Ye Jiao Teng
(Caulis Polygoni)
Pacifies Spirit, nourishes calm
Ye Jiao Teng addresses restlessness by "nourishing blood". Neurotransmitters may be regulated into functioning at a level more conducive to sanity because this herb effectively treats insomnia, irritability, and dream disturbed or fitful sleep.
Hu Po
(Succinum)
Calms dreams, eliminates insomnia
Hu Po is amber which is petrified tree sap. It is famous for calming the spirit during our sleep periods. During alcohol withdrawal, one's sleeping may be fitful, superficial, or interrupted by constant stirrings. TCM calls this "dream disturbed sleep". Hu Po treats that.
Note to physicians: Hu Po could potentiate the sedative effect of barbiturates including drugs such as antihistamines, narcotic analgesics, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and many others. Source: Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology), 1998; 670-671