Shen Qi Fu Gui Tang was used to treat 38 cases of hypothyroidism. The formula consisted of Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Rong Gui (Cinnamon Bark) powder, Fu Zi (Aconite), Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia), and Zhi Gan Cao (processed Licorice). Modifications of the formula were made to better suit individual patients' conditions. One dose of the formula was administered twice a day, and one course of treatment lasted a month. While under treatment with this formula, no Western medication was taken. The results: after two courses of treatment, the patients' symptom index (the normal value is under 5) fell from 24.8 ± 5.2 to 5.0 ± 3.1 (P<0.001).( 3)
A modification of Shen Qi Wan was used to treat 20 cases of hypothyroidism. The modified formula consisted of Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia), Shan Yao (Dioscorea), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Ze Xie (Alisma), Fu Ling (Hoelen), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Fu Zi (Aconite), Che Qian Zi (Plantain), and Mu Tong (Akebia). The results: 12 cases significantly improved, 7 cases improved, and 1 case did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 95%.( 4)
One study treated 49 cases of adult hypothyroidism by strengthening yang, invigorating qi, and activating the blood with a formula consisting of the following herbs: Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Fu Ling (Hoelen), Xian Mao (Curculigo), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda), Chuan Shan Jia (processed Anteater Scales), Chuang Xiong (Cnidium), Huang Qi (processed Astragalus Root), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), and Shu Di Huang (cooked Rehmannia). One dose of the formula was administered twice a day (in the morning and in the evening). A control group of 50 cases was treated with thyroxin tablets (15-30mg taken daily in the morning). One course of treatment lasted a month for both groups. The results: of the treatment, 38 cases recovered, 6 cases significantly improved, 3 cases improved, and 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 96%; of the control group, the corresponding numbers were: 30, 16, 4, 0, and 100%.( 5)
Another study treated 36 cases of hypothyroidism with a formula consisting the following qi-invigorating and yang-warming herbs: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Fu Zi (cooked Aconite), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Huang Qi (Astragalus root), and Gan Cao (Licorice). Modifications were made as follows: for patients with edema or hedropericardium, Fu Ling (Hoelen) and Bai Zhu (Shite Atractylodes) were added to the formula; for patients with amenia, Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus) and Dan Shen (Salvia) were added; for patients with oliochronemia, Dang Gui (Dang Gui) was added. One dose of the formula was administered daily, and four weeks constituted one course of treatment. The results: 21 cases recovered, 5 cases improved, and 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 94.44%.( 6)
Er Cao Ren Shen Tang (which contains Gan Cao (Licorice), Ren Shen (Ginseng), and Jin Qian Cao (Glechoma)) was used to treat 55 cases of hypothyroidism. The results: 38 cases significantly improved, 15 cases improved, and 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 96.4%.( 7)
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