🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The Neurosurgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine treated 1,100 cases of acute cranial trauma using integrated Western and TCM methods from August 1999 to December 2002, achieving satisfactory clinical outcomes and providing evidence for this combined approach.
Researchers noted that in this cohort, Western medicine treatment was based on injury severity and CT findings. Surgery was performed when indicated. Non-surgical cases received standard care: diuretics, mannitol dehydration, hemostasis, antibiotics, prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding, tracheotomy to maintain airway patency, neurotrophic agents, oxygen therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, and timely specialty treatment for associated injuries. TCM treatment focused on early syndrome differentiation, employing methods such as activating blood circulation to remove stasis and opening orifices to awaken the brain. Commonly used patent medicines included Chuanxiong Qin, Xuesaitong, and Xingnaojing. Decoctions such as Tao Hong Si Wu Tang or Xuefu Zhuyu Tang were adjusted as needed.
Results showed: 1,021 patients cured, 17 moderately disabled, 9 severely disabled, 5 in vegetative state, and 48 deaths (3 from moderate trauma, 11 from severe, 34 from extremely severe).
Researchers concluded that TCM syndrome differentiation improves microcirculation, reduces secondary damage, enhances cerebral perfusion, and stabilizes the internal environment. After brain injury, whole blood viscosity, red cell aggregation index, fibrinogen, and neurotransmitter levels rise. Excessive dehydration and hemostatic drugs cause blood concentration; after cerebral contusion, coagulation factors and vasoactive substances are released, leading to cerebral vasospasm and worsening microcirculatory impairment, exacerbating secondary brain injury. Blood-activating and stasis-resolving drugs effectively reduce blood viscosity, enhance fibrinolytic activity, accelerate fibrinolysis, boost phagocyte function, improve microcirculation, and promote clearance of toxic metabolic products after injury. This aids in repairing ruptured vessels and absorbing hematomas, reducing secondary brain injury and facilitating recovery of neuronal function. Clinical observation revealed that intravenous administration of blood-activating patent medicines like Chuanxiong Qin, Xuesaitong, and Xingnaojing did not increase bleeding risk but promoted absorption of edema and small hematomas. Early enteral feeding or oral herbal decoctions helped restore gastrointestinal function, improve nutrient absorption, regulate water-electrolyte balance, enhance metabolism and excretion of vasoactive substances and neurotransmitters, improve microcirculation, reduce intestinal flora imbalance, and decrease endotoxin absorption—thereby mitigating secondary brain injury.
Researchers pointed out that summarizing this case series and comparing with recent domestic data shows a high cure rate, low disability and mortality rates. This suggests that using TCM’s holistic perspective for integrated disease and syndrome differentiation, combined with comprehensive Western and TCM rescue, improves cure rates, reduces complications, lowers disability and death rates. Further standardized and randomized controlled trials are still needed.