Chinese classic herbal formula Shengma Gegen Decoction relieving muscle and pentrating rash

In temperate climates, measles outbreaks typically occur in the late winter and early spring every year, whereas in the tropics, measles outbreaks have irregular associations with rainy seasons, which suggests that climatic factors partly underlie the seasonality of measles virus infections.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.

Before modern scientific vaccination, measles in ancient times was also a high-risk disease for children. The initial onset of measles or the sluggish rash is the main indication of Shengma Gegen Decoction. Common symptoms include rashes that fail to break out, fever and headache, cough, red eyes and tears, thirst, red tongue, thin and dry fur, and floating pulse.

Ancient doctors, especially ancient pediatricians, often used a prescription - Shengma Gegen Decoction. As early as the Song Dynasty, there was a "pharmacopoeia" promulgated by the court, which was the famous "Taiping Huimin Heji Bureau Prescription". The prescriptions in it were also called "bureau prescriptions" by later doctors, and Shengma Gegen Decoction was one of the more famous ones.

Shengma Gegen Decoction is one of the classic prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine. It comes from "Yan's Children's Prescriptions" and is mainly composed of four herbs: Shengma, Pueraria, Peony, and Licorice. The following is analyzed from three aspects: efficacy, modern research and clinical application:

1. Traditional efficacy

Relieve muscle and penetrate rash: It is mainly used to treat the initial onset of measles, rashes that fail to break out, or fever, aversion to wind, headache and body pain.

Clearing away heat and detoxifying: Cimicifuga and Pueraria root can clear away heat and toxins, relieve symptoms such as sore throat and red eyes.

Harmonizing Ying and Wei: Peony and licorice can harmonize Qi and blood, relieve muscle cramps and pain.

Applicable symptoms: exogenous wind-heat evil toxins, rash toxins stagnation on the surface, and symptoms of poor penetration.

2. Modern research

Antiviral effect

The active ingredients in Cimicifuga and Pueraria root (such as puerarin and cimicifugo glycosides) have the effect of inhibiting viral replication, especially for measles virus and influenza virus.

Experiments show that this prescription can assist in antiviral by regulating immune response (such as increasing interferon secretion).

Anti-inflammatory and immune regulation

Paeoniflorin in peony and glycyrrhizic acid in licorice have significant anti-inflammatory effects and can inhibit inflammatory factors (such as TNF-α and IL-6).

Cimicifuga can enhance the phagocytic ability of macrophages and regulate immune function.

Improve microcirculation

Puerarin can dilate blood vessels, improve local blood circulation, and promote the eruption of rashes.

Antioxidant

Many herbs in the prescription contain flavonoid compounds, which can remove free radicals and reduce oxidative stress damage.

3. Modern clinical application

Infectious diseases

Measles, chickenpox, hand, foot and mouth disease: used for initial rash that is not smooth, combined with modern medical treatment.

Viral cold: relieves symptoms such as fever, headache, and sore throat.

Skin diseases

Urticaria, allergic dermatitis: use its eruption and anti-inflammatory effects to regulate immune abnormalities.

Herpes zoster: assists in relieving neuralgia and herpes inflammation.

Immune regulation

Used for conditioning patients with low immunity or allergic constitution.

Other extended applications

Cervical spondylosis, periarthritis of the shoulder: Pueraria root relaxes muscles and improves local circulation.

Oral ulcers, gingivitis: Cimicifuga clears heat and detoxifies, relieves mucosal inflammation.

4. Precautions

Contraindications:

People with Yin deficiency and hyperactivity of fire, and Qi deficiency and sinking should use with caution;

Pregnant women should use under the guidance of a physician.

Dosage and course of treatment:

The recommended dose of Cimicifuga is controlled at 3-6g;

The course of treatment should not be too long, and the rash should be stopped as soon as it is clear.

Modern compatibility:

It is often used in combination with Yinqiao Powder, Yupingfeng Powder, etc. to enhance the efficacy.

Summary

Based on the traditional rash-clearing and exterior-dispelling method, modern research has revealed its multi-target mechanism of action, including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune regulation. It has been clinically expanded to viral infections, immune-related diseases, and some chronic inflammations, but it needs to be used in combination with the patient's constitution.

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