Production Techniques of Medicinal Plasters
The external treatment methods in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly the use of plasters, represent a unique and effective therapeutic approach developed over thousands of years in the fight against diseases.
The plaster therapy has a long history and is known for its significant efficacy. Since many diseases enter the body from the outside, TCM emphasizes external treatments, hence the focus on external applications. Plasters offer various advantages such as portability, ease of use, confirmed therapeutic effects, and high patient acceptance. Early market plasters were primarily composed of rubber and excipients (such as zinc oxide, petroleum jelly, oil agents, lanolin, etc.) as a base, combined with volatile oils or refined pastes from Chinese herbs. The current mainstream production model of medicated plasters has played an important role in promoting the development of traditional TCM plasters.
A plaster consists of two parts: the base and the medicinal ingredients. The base is straightforward, while the medicinal components can be complex, with each practitioner having their own classic formulas, methods, and combinations. The optimal combination of base and medicine achieves the best therapeutic effect. There are numerous methods for producing plasters, and they are continuously innovated and experimented upon. With the integration of modern techniques, new formulations have emerged, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Currently, plasters can be categorized into hard and soft types:
1: Traditional Black Plaster: Made by frying with sesame oil and lead oxide, it can be differentiated by color (black and white plasters). The production process includes frying materials, refining oil, adding lead oxide, collecting the paste, detoxifying, and spreading. Advantages: Traditional black plasters are widely used in clinical practice, have confirmed efficacy, and are highly recognized. Disadvantages: The process is cumbersome, technically complex, environmentally polluting, production is not standardized, and there is a high content of heavy metals, with seasonal production that is difficult to control.
2: Traditional Oil Wax Plaster: Made by boiling sesame oil to extract medicinal oil, then adding white, yellow, and paraffin wax to collect the paste. The production process includes frying materials, refining oil, adding wax, collecting the paste, and spreading. Advantages: Free of heavy metals, easy to control, suitable for learning and use, and good shaping properties. Disadvantages: High-temperature refining pollutes the environment, poor adhesion, and instability.
3: Modern Rubber Plaster: Made from zinc oxide, lanolin, and ethanol. The production process includes extracting medicinal components with ethanol, collecting the base paste, spreading, and cutting.
Advantages: Modern process, convenient to use, and portable. Disadvantages: Low drug loading, not reusable, high sensitization rate, and complex production equipment.
4: Soft Plaster: Made by mixing medicinal powder with petroleum jelly, honey, and other oily substances. The production process includes grinding powder, adding oily substances, collecting the paste, and using it. Advantages: Simple process, easy to make, and flexible use. Disadvantages: Not suitable for fixation, weak adhesion strength, relying on adhesive dressings for fixation.
5: Powder Formulation: Made by placing medicinal powder in powder bags. The production process includes grinding powder and bagging. Advantages: Simple production, not prone to contamination, no residue on the skin, aesthetically pleasing, flexible use, and convenient (using a permeation agent on the powder before use enhances efficacy). Disadvantages: Powder bags should not directly contact the skin, large amounts of raw herbs affect medicinal efficacy, and adhesive dressings for fixation.
6: Rosin Plaster: Made by melting rosin and camphor, then adding medicinal powder to collect the paste. The production process includes adding materials, melting, adding medicine, collecting the paste, and spreading. Advantages: Simple production, easy to control, low-temperature melting, easy to peel off, good shaping properties, and lead-free. Disadvantages: Multiple grades of rosin, flammable at high temperatures, and seasonal production.
7: Medicated Plaster: Made by melting hot melt adhesive and water-soluble adhesive, then adding raw medicinal materials for spreading. The production process includes adding materials, melting, adding medicine, spreading, and cutting. Advantages: Convenient production, excellent peeling strength, good adhesion, quick shaping, and does not run off. Disadvantages: Poor absorption, low permeability, high sensitization rate, and poor stability (hot melt adhesive is now used in the combination of plaster base and adhesive dressings, but the sensitization rate is still not well controlled, while water-soluble adhesive has stable performance but higher production costs).
8: Glutinous Wood Fiber Plaster: Made by mixing wood fiber as the base with medicinal materials. The production process includes adding wood fiber, adding medicine, mixing, and collecting the paste. Advantages: Room temperature production, simple process, maximum drug loading, no pollution, no irritation, and does not stain clothing, with no seasonal production. Disadvantages: Low peeling strength and excessively low adhesion, should be used with adhesive dressings.
【I】 Five Tiger Bi Syndrome Plaster
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
Group A: Sheng Ma Qian Zi (Strychnos nux-vomica) 60 g, Sheng Chuan Wu (Aconitum carmichaelii) 30 g, Sheng Cao Wu (Aconitum kusnezoffii) 30 g, Sheng Nan Xing (Arisaema cumingii) 30 g, Sheng Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata) 30 g, Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) 30 g, Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanax gracilistylus) 30 g, Tou Gu Cao (Hedyotis diffusa) 30 g, Rou Gui (Cinnamon) 30 g, Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) 45 g, Xi Xin (Asarum sieboldii) 15 g, Gan Jiang (Zingiber officinale) 30 g, Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius) 30 g, Du Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides) 30 g, Bing Pian (Borneol) 30 g, Indomethacin Tablets 25 mg x 80 tablets, Diphenhydramine Tablets 25 mg x 40 tablets.
Group B: Rosin 720 g (1.5 times the amount of Group A medicinal powder), Camphor 144 g in summer (20% of rosin amount), 158 g in winter (22% of rosin amount), Vaseline 43 g (6% of rosin amount), Far Infrared Ceramic Powder 72 g (10% of rosin amount), Nitrogen 29 mL (4% of rosin amount).
2. Production Method
Grind the above Group A medicinal ingredients into fine powder, sieve through 80-100 mesh, weigh and mix evenly, and seal for later use. Crush the rosin into coarse powder and place it in an iron pot or electric pot, heat gently until completely melted, add camphor and Vaseline, stir until completely melted, then add the mixed Group A medicinal powder, and finally add far infrared ceramic powder and nitrogen, stir until completely mixed, and then spread the paste to make each patch of 40 g of Five Tiger Bi Syndrome Plaster, bag and seal, and store in a cool place.
3. Indications
Neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain.
4. Treatment Effects
For cervical spondylosis in 20 patients, 12 were cured, 6 improved, and 2 were ineffective.
For shoulder periarthritis in 19 patients, 12 were cured, 5 improved, and 2 were ineffective.
For lumbar spondylosis in 23 patients, 7 were cured, 14 improved, and 2 were ineffective.
For osteoarthritis in 28 patients, 18 were cured, 8 improved, and 2 were ineffective.
For calcaneal bone hyperplasia in 38 patients, 34 were cured, 3 improved, and 1 was ineffective.
For tennis elbow in 20 patients, 14 were cured, 3 improved, and 3 were ineffective.
For soft tissue injuries in 40 patients, 32 were cured, 7 improved, and 1 was ineffective.
5. Precautions
① During medication, it can be used in conjunction with traction, acupuncture, and massage methods.
② Avoid eating raw, cold, and greasy foods.
③ Pregnant women should not use it.
【II】 Fast-acting Black Plaster (for Pain Relief)
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
Sheng Chuan Wu 10 g, Sheng Cao Wu 10 g, Scorpion 10 g, Centipede 10 g, Frankincense 10 g, Myrrh 10 g, Hong Hua 10 g, Xue Jie 10 g, Pangolin 10 g, Tou Gu Cao 10 g.
2. Production Method
Sesame oil 4 taels, Tung oil 3 taels, Cottonseed oil 3 taels, Yellow lead 4 taels, heat sesame oil, Tung oil, and cottonseed oil in a pot to 40-80 degrees, then add Sheng Chuan Wu, Sheng Cao Wu, Scorpion, Centipede, Hong Hua, Pangolin, and Tou Gu Cao into the oil and fry until the surface of the medicine turns dark brown and the inside is yellow, at about 200-250 degrees, then remove from heat, cool, and filter. Then return the medicinal oil to the pot, first on low heat and then on high heat, stirring continuously. This process is crucial for making the plaster, as the proper frying of the oil determines the quality of the plaster. If the oil is not fried enough, the plaster will be loose and cannot adhere to the affected area when heated; if the oil is over-fried, not only will the yield be low, but the plaster will also be hard, with weak adhesion, making it easy to fall off or become waste. The sign of properly fried oil is when water droplets form beads. Once the water droplets form beads, immediately remove the pot from the heat, and when the oil cools to about 200-250 degrees, add yellow lead while stirring continuously for about 5-10 minutes. After adding the lead, perform a tenderness test after about 3-5 minutes, and once it is ready, remove from heat, cool, and then add Frankincense, Myrrh, and fine powder, stirring evenly. Then pour the plaster into prepared cold water, soak for 3-7 days, changing the water 1-2 times a day to remove fire toxins.
During production, the detoxified plaster can also be heated and melted in the pot. Stir evenly, then mix in the fine materials and stir evenly to proceed with spreading and storing.
3. Indications
Fractures, postoperative sprains, and strains, as well as pain caused by wind, cold, and dampness.
4. New Method Modification
Sheng Chuan Wu and Sheng Cao Wu each 50 g, Whole Insect 30 g, Centipede 30 g, Frankincense and Myrrh each 45 g, Hong Hua 45 g, Xue Jie 30 g, Pao Shan Jia 45 g, Tou Gu Cao 60 g, base 1200 g.
Production Method: Grind the above medicines into powder and mix into the base to make a plaster for later use.
【III】 Bone Spirit Plaster
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
Xi Xin 10 g, Xu Chang Qing 20 g, Sheng Chuan Wu 10 g, Mu Guo 20 g, Tou Gu Cao 20 g, Hong Hua 15 g, Frankincense 10 g, Tu Yuan 10 g, Zhi Zi 10 g, Ling Xian 10 g, Sheng Da Huang 5 g, Chi Shao 15 g, Hong Teng 10 g, Bing Pian 5 g, Sesame Oil 240 g, Rosin 120 g.
2. Production Method
Heat sesame oil to 40-80 degrees, add rosin and fry until water droplets form beads, then remove from heat and cool to 240-260 degrees, add Frankincense to melt, then remove from heat and cool to 70 degrees, add the medicinal powder and stir until the temperature drops to 40 degrees, then add Bing Pian.
3. Indications
Activates blood circulation, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. Suitable for bone hyperplasia, lumbar disc herniation, femoral head necrosis, shoulder periarthritis, lumbar muscle strain, and sciatica.
4. New Method Modification
Grind the above medicines into powder and mix into the base for later use.
【IV】 Bone Spur Plaster
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
Soap Pod 300 g.
2. Production Method
Grind into fine powder and mix into the base 1000 g for later use.
3. Indications
Treats bone hyperplasia in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, heel, knee joints, and fingers.
4. Precautions
This plaster can eliminate local pain after two applications, but it is still necessary to apply it once more to consolidate the effect.
【V】 Cervical Spondylosis Plaster (Blood Activating and Pain Relieving Plaster)
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
A: Sheng Chuan Wu 60 g, Sheng Cao Wu 60 g, Xi Xin 40 g, Bai Jie Zi 40 g, Hua Jiao 40 g, Pao Shan Jia 40 g, Chen Xiang 40 g, Frankincense 50 g, Myrrh 50 g, Ci Shi 50 g.
B: Hong Hua 60 g, Zhen Jiao 60 g, Du Huo 60 g, Chuan Xiong 60 g, Dang Gui 60 g, Shen Jin Cao 60 g, Gong Ying 60 g, Tou Gu Cao 60 g, Ling Xian 120 g, Qiang Huo 20 g. Sesame Oil 1000 g, Lead Powder 500 g (base).
2. Production Method
Grind into fine powder and mix into the base for later use.
3. Treatment Range
Cervical spondylosis.
【VI】 Lumbar Disc Herniation Plaster
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
Frankincense 120 g, Myrrh 120 g, Ma Huang 100 g, Sheng Ma Qian Zi 60 g, Sheng Chuan Wu, Sheng Cao Wu each 60 g, Guo Sui Bu 200 g, Natural Copper 100 g, Sheng Du Zhong 120 g, Di Long 300 g, Xue Jie 120 g, Huang Lian 120 g, Guang Dan 1500 g, Sesame Oil 3 Kg.
2. Production Method
Grind into fine powder and mix into the base for later use.
3. Treatment Range
Lumbar disc herniation.
【VII】 Recovery Bone Plaster
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
A: Sheng Nan Xing 100 g, Tu Bie Chong 50 g, Sheng Ban Xia 100 g, Sheng Ma Qian Zi 50 g, Zhi Ru Mei, A Wei, Rou Gui, Pao Xin each 30 g.
B: Dang Gui, Du Huo, Sheng Chuan Wu, Sheng Cao Wu, Zhi Bai Fu Zi, Qian Nian Jian, Chuan Niu Xi each 50 g.
2. Production Method
Grind into fine powder, add black plaster (base) 3500 g, melt and spread (15 × 15 cm), change the medicine once every 7 days.
3. Treatment Range
Femoral head necrosis.
【VIII】 Pine Camphor Ling Xian Plaster
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
A: Sheng Ma Qian Zi 60 g, Sheng Chuan Wu 75 g, Sheng Cao Wu 60 g, Sheng Nan Xing 60 g, Sheng Ban Xia 60 g, Gu Yu 30 g, Qing Quan Chong 30 g, Rou Gui 30 g, Qi Qiang 30 g, Sheng Bai Jie Zi 30 g, Yang Jin Hua 45 g, Gan Sui 30 g, Tu Chong 50 g, Xue Xie 30 g, Sheng Ru Xiang 45 g, Sheng Mo Yao 45 g, San Qi Powder 30 g, Pao Shan Jia 30 g, (Liao) Xi Xin 45 g, Qi Ye Yi Zhi Hua 45 g, Bing Pian 15 g, Pu Er Min 100 tablets, Yan Tong Xi Kang 150 tablets, totaling 875 g (Pu Er Min, Yan Tong Xi Kang not counted).
B: Chan Su 25 g, Wu She 60 g, Gui Zhi 90 g, Sang Zhi 90 g, Sheng Ma Huang 60 g, Fang Yi 30 g, Qin Jiao 45 g, Sheng Tao Ren 60 g (crushed), Hong Hua 45 g, Fang Feng 45 g, Cang Zhu 30 g, Ji Xue Teng 90 g, Dang Gui 60 g, Bai Zhi 60 g, Qiang Du Huo each 45 g, Ji Jin Zi 60 g (crushed), Su Mu 50 g, Guang Long 45 g, Wei Ling Xian 60 g, Pian Jiang Huang 50 g, Niu Xi 50 g, Mu Guo 45 g, Sheng Xiang Fu 60 g, Chuan Xiong 45 g, Ling Zhi 60 g, Tou Gu Cao 75 g, San Ling 60 g, Wen Zhu 60 g, Chuan Shan Long 90 g, Jiang 60 g, Lu Han Cao 60 g, Xun Gu Feng 60 g, totaling 1879 g (after drying, about 50 g).
2. Production Method
(1) Grind the medicinal ingredients in Group A to fine powder, sieve through 80-100 mesh, weigh and mix evenly for later use.
(2) Crush the rosin into coarse powder and place it in a bucket, heat gently until completely melted, add Vaseline to melt, then mix in the medicinal powder evenly, and finally add the far infrared ceramic powder and stir until completely mixed.
3. Indications
Neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain, bone hyperplasia, rheumatism, and sciatica.
4. Usage Method
The Pine Camphor Ling Xian Plaster is a white plaster made from rosin and far infrared ceramic powder as the base material. Before applying, cut off the four corners of the plaster, remove the plastic film on the medicinal side, and apply it directly to the affected area, pressing down for a moment after application.
5. Precautions
1. If itching or small red rashes occur on the skin after application, it is due to the medicinal properties penetrating the affected area and stimulating the skin. In case of severe itching, temporarily remove the plaster and gently wipe with a warm towel, do not scratch with hands, and wait for the itching to subside before reapplying.
2. Do not apply to open wounds or various skin diseases.
3. Pregnant women should avoid applying to the abdomen.
4. Store in a cool, dry place, sealed.
【IX】 Swelling Relief No. 2 Plaster
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
Sheng Zhi Zi 90 g, Bai Zhi 30 g, Sheng Ban Xia, Sheng Cao Wu, Xi Xin, Zhi Ru Mo, Hong Hua, Dang Gui Wei each 9 g.
2. Production Method
Grind into fine powder, mix into the base to make a plaster.
3. Indications
Acute contusions and sprains.
【X】 Bone Immortal Plaster
1. Composition of Medicinal Ingredients
A: Sheng Ma Qian Zi 60 g, Sheng Chuan Wu 50 g, Sheng Nan Xing 50 g, Sheng Ban Xia 50 g, Gan Sui 30 g, Tu Chong 50 g, Qi Xue Teng 30 g, Rou Gui 30 g, Sheng Bai Jie Zi 30 g, San Qi Powder 30 g, Mo Yao 30 g, Xue Jie 30 g, Chuan Xiong 30 g, Bai Zhi 30 g, Zhi Zhi 30 g, Sheng Da Huang 30 g, Zhi Bai Fu Zi 30 g, Sheng Chuan Wu 30 g, Sheng Cao Wu 30 g, Zhi Bai Fu Zi 30 g, Qian Nian Jian 30 g, Chuan Niu Xi 30 g.
2. Production Method
Grind into fine powder and mix into the base for later use.
3. Indications
Bone hyperplasia.
4. Precautions
This plaster can eliminate local pain after two applications, but it is still necessary to apply it once more to consolidate the effect.