An Yang Refined Ointment is a contemporary external ointment formula, included in the 2005 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. The formula consists of: Sheng Chuan Wu (Raw Aconite) 24g, Sheng Cao Wu (Raw Aconite) 24g, Wu Yao (Lindera) 24g, Bai Lian (White Peony) 24g, Bai Ji (Bletilla) 24g, Mu Bie Zi (Mume) 24g, Mu Tong (Akebia) 24g, Mu Guo (Papaya) 24g, San Leng (Sparganium) 24g, E Zhu (Curcuma) 24g, Dang Gui (Angelica) 24g, Chi Shao (Red Peony) 24g, Rou Gui (Cinnamon) 24g, Da Huang (Rhubarb) 48g, Lian Qiao (Forsythia) 48g, Xue Jie (Dragon’s Blood) 10g, A Wei (Ferula) 10g, Ru Xiang (Frankincense) 6g, Mo Yao (Myrrh) 6g, Er Cha (Catechu) 6g, Bing Pian (Borneol) 8g, Shui Yang Suan Jia Suan (Methyl Salicylate) 8g, Bing Pian (Menthol) 8g.
To prepare the ointment, first, crush Xue Jie, Ru Xiang, Mo Yao, A Wei, and Er Cha into coarse powder, and use 90% ethanol to create a tincture with a relative density of 1.05. After cooling, add Bing Pian, Shui Yang Suan Jia Suan, and Bing Pian, and mix well. The remaining 16 herbs, including Sheng Chuan Wu and Sheng Cao Wu, are decocted three times, with the first two decoctions lasting 3 hours each and the third lasting 2 hours. Combine the three decoctions, filter, and concentrate the filtrate to a relative density of 1.25-1.30 (at 80 degrees Celsius) to form a clear paste. Combine this with the tincture and mix well, then add a base made from rubber and rosin weighing 8.5-9 times the total weight to create a paste, which is then cut into small pieces measuring 8×0.5 cm. When needed, take a piece and apply it to the affected area.
An Yang Refined Ointment is produced by many pharmaceutical companies, and ready-made traditional Chinese medicine products can be purchased online or at local pharmacies, making it convenient for patients to use this formula without much hassle. The efficacy of this formula includes reducing accumulation and resolving masses, promoting blood circulation and alleviating pain, relaxing muscles and activating blood flow, dispelling wind and cold, and is indicated for conditions such as abdominal masses, wind-cold-damp obstruction, cold stomach pain, and numbness in the hands and feet. When using this ointment, patients should avoid consuming hard-to-digest foods.
The ingredients in An Yang Refined Ointment, such as Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, Wu Yao, and Rou Gui, are all potent warming and pain-relieving herbs; Bai Lian clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and disperses masses; Bai Ji stops bleeding and reduces swelling; Mu Bie Zi, San Leng, and E Zhu are commonly used herbs for breaking blood stasis and reducing swelling, and are also frequently used anti-tumor herbs; Dang Gui, Da Huang, Chi Shao, Xue Jie, Ru Xiang, Mo Yao, A Wei, and Er Cha all have blood-activating and swelling-reducing properties; Bing Pian, Bing Pian, and Shui Yang Suan Jia Suan have excellent transdermal properties and are all fast-acting pain relievers; Mu Tong opens meridians and promotes urination and swelling reduction, while Mu Guo relaxes muscles and alleviates pain. Therefore, this formula is a multi-target external ointment for reducing swelling and alleviating pain.
This formula can be used to relieve cancer pain, and while alleviating pain, it can also moderately inhibit tumor progression, serving as an adjunctive treatment for palpable tumors. This formula can also be used to treat stomach pain caused by chronic gastritis and limb pain and numbness caused by atherosclerosis. Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, Bai Ji, and Bai Lian are traditionally considered incompatible in the eighteen antagonistic pairs, but firstly, the concept of the eighteen antagonistic pairs in TCM is not scientifically sound; the belief that black herbs like Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, and Fu Zi are oppositional to white herbs like Bai Ji and Bai Lian is based solely on ancient notions of color, which lack scientific basis. Secondly, external medicines are generally safe, and even if they belong to the eighteen antagonistic pairs, there is no need to worry about significant side effects.
Patients with advanced tumors often experience muscle wasting and loose skin, making it easy to injure the skin when applying the ointment. If patients experience allergies or skin intolerance while using An Yang Refined Ointment, it is advisable to discontinue use. Additionally, prolonged application of the ointment without ventilation can lead to skin breakdown, so it is recommended to apply the ointment for 2-4 hours at a time, or to apply it overnight and remove it in the morning. If patients experience severe cancer pain and need to apply it continuously, there should still be intervals, during which some skincare products should be used.