History
Herbal patches date back to 3,000 years ago, as one of the five major formulations of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This ancient painting from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) depicts a country doctor treating a patient with herbal patch.
Nowadays, herbal patches are very popular in China-- so much so that those who haven't used one are described as an "endangered" species!
Nowadays, herbal patches are very popular in China-- so much so that those who haven't used one are described as an "endangered" species!
TCM Philosophy of Inflammation & Pain
In TCM, inflammation and pain associated with joints, muscles, and bones are called "Bi syndrome" (痹症), which refers to an obstruction of the circulation of "Qi" (气) and "Blood" (血) in the channels. TCM philosophy entails that an invasion of pathogenic factors such as "Cold" (寒), "Wind" (风) or "Damp" (湿) in these areas of the body are responsible for soreness and pain. This invasion may lead to stagnation of "qi" and "blood" in the channels, in turn, causing malnutrition in the bones and manifesting as inflammation in the joints, muscles, and tendons.
Treatment with Herbal Patches
In the formulation of patches, herbs are selected based on TCM philosophies of zàng-fǔ (脏腑) and meridians (经络), where their predominance causes certain body parts or symptoms to be more sensitive to herbal treatment. Therefore, TCM herbs with optimal effects on the disease zàng-fǔ and meridians are selected to regulate or rectify "Qi" to achieve desirable therapeutic effects. In each herbal patch formula, a single herb is identified as the "leader", accompanied by 10 or more "ancillary" herbs to generate synergistic treatment benefits. The aroma of these herbs promote active ingredients that penetrate the skin layer, stimulate peripheral nerve terminals, improve capillary blood circulation, and reduce inflammation and pain.
Evolution of Herbal Patches
Traditional herbal patches are made of "black plaster", where herbs (including roots, stems, branches or leaves) are ground into fine powder and gradually added into a copper pot filled with boiling oil. The mixture is cooked until a dark brown paste forms. This "plaster" is submerged in water for 7 days and rinsed daily. Finally, it is melted in a water-bath, from which a drop is placed on kraft paper.
This manufacturing process has been modernized to produce a new generation of herbal patches. Nowadays, copper pots are replaced with temperature controlled automation, black plaster by a thin layer of herbal extracts, and kraft paper by breathable, flexible fabric. This trans-dermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) greatly increases both the efficacy and convenience of patch usage.
This manufacturing process has been modernized to produce a new generation of herbal patches. Nowadays, copper pots are replaced with temperature controlled automation, black plaster by a thin layer of herbal extracts, and kraft paper by breathable, flexible fabric. This trans-dermal Drug Delivery System (TDDS) greatly increases both the efficacy and convenience of patch usage.
Iron-Crutch Li (李铁拐)
According to ancient Chinese history, herbal patches were created by "Iron-Crutch Li", one of the "Eight Immortals" of the Daoist pantheon. He is often portrayed as an ugly old man with a dirty face, scraggly beard, and messy hair upheld by a golden band. He walks with the aid of an iron crutch and often has a gourd slung over his shoulder. He is sometimes described as irascible and ill-tempered, but also benevolent to the poor, sick, and needy, whose suffering he alleviates with special medicine from his gourd. Iron-Crutch Li is seen as a celebrated patron of doctors and pharmacists due to his reputation as a healer.