Treatment Observations & Results of 50 Cases of Pediatric Enuresis with Yi Niao Ling Fang (Effective
Treatment Observations & Results of 50 Cases of Pediatric Enuresis with Yi Niao Ling Fang (Effective
by
Xi Yu-lian, Lu Xiao-yun & Da Chun-hua
abstracted & translated by
Robert Helmer, D.TCM (Canada)
Keywords: Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, pediatrics, enuresis, bedwetting
Note: This article first appeared in Xin Zhong Yi (New Chinese Medicine), #12, 2002 on pages 27-28.
The author used the formula Yi Niao Ling Fang (Effective Enuresis Formula) from January 1995 to January 2001 to treat pediatric enuresis.
General data:
The 96 cases in this study were divided into two groups – treatment group and comparison group. The treatment group used the self-devised Yi Niao Ling Fang (Effective Enuresis Formula) and included 50 cases, 38 males and 12 females. These cases were between the ages of 5-12 years old, with a median age 7.32 ± 1.12 years old. The course of disease was two months to six years long, with a median duration of 1.95 ± 0.41 years. In this group, the patients had enuresis 1-3 times per night, with a median occurrence of 1.28 ± 0.21 episodes per night.
The comparison group included 46 cases, 35 males and 11 females, and they were administered impramine hydrochloride. These cases were between the ages of 6-13 years old, with a median age 7.18 ± 1.09 years old. The course of disease was seven weeks to seven years long, with a median duration of 1.95 ± 0.41 years. In this group, the patients had enuresis 1-4 times per night, with a median occurrence of 1.36 ± 0.29 episodes per night. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the two group prior to treatment.
Treatment method:
The members of the treatment group were administered internally Yi Niao Ling Fang (Effective Enuresis Formula) which was composed of: fresh Bai Guo (Semen Ginkgonis Bilobae), Mu Li (Concha Ostreae), Sang Ji Sheng (Ramulus Loranthi Seu Visci), Sang Piao Xiao (Ootheca Mantidis), Wu Bei Zi (Galla Rhois), Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis), Yi Zhi Ren (Fructus Alpiniae Oxyphyllae), Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni Offficialnalis), Shu Di Huang (cooked Radix Rehmanniae), and Suan Zao Ren (Semen Zizyphi Spinosae), each 10 grams, Shan Yao (Radix Dioscoreae Oppositae) and Jiu Cai Zi (Semen Alli Tuberosi), each 8 grams.
Additions: If there was encumbered sleep and inability to wake, Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae) and Shi Chang Pu (Rhizoma Acori Graminei) were added. If there was poor appetite and sloppy stools, Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsitis Pilosae), Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos), and Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) were added. If the disease was enduring and there was low-grade fever, frequent urination, a red tongue with scanty fur, the above formula was used in combination with Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena & Phellodendron Rehmannia Pills). These medicinals were decocted and divided in two doses per day. Eight days equaled one course of treatment.
The members of the comparison group took 12.5-25mg of impramine hydrochloride once evening one hour before bed. Eight days equaled one course of treatment.
Results:
Table 1.
Type
Cure Group
Improvement
No Improvement
Amelioration Rate
Treatment
42 (84%)
7 (14%)
1 (2%)
98.00%
Comparison
22 (47.83%)
12 (26.09%)
12 (26.09%)
73.91%
Statiscally there was significant difference (P á 0.01) between the treatment group and comparison group amelioration rates. In those cases that were cured, the course of treatment in the treatment group was 4-21 days, with a median of 9.24 ± 1.21 days, and the course of treatment of the comparison group was 10-32 days, with a median of 18.35 ± 1.29 days. These also demonstrated a significant difference (P á 0.01) compared to the comparison group.
Table 2.
Follow-up visits (6 months, 1 year and 2 years) on cases that were cured
Group Type
# of Cases
6 months
1 year
2 years
Treatment Group
42
1 (2.4%)
2 (4.8%)
4 (9.5%)
Comparison Group
22
3 (13.6%)
12 (54. %)
12 (54. %)
Four cases in the comparison group had side effects of dizziness and dry mouth that disappeared with a decrease in dosage.
Within the above Chinese medicinal formula, Shan Zhu Yu and Shu Di Huang supplement the kidneys and secure the root. Wu Bei Zi, Wu Wei Zi, and Shan Zhu Yu are sour and contrain, secure, and astringe. Yi Zhi Ren, Shan Yao, and Mu Li treat lung-spleen vacuity. Sang Ji Sheng and Sang Piao Xiao supplement the kidneys, secure the essence, and reduce urination. Jiu Cai Zi is acrid and warm, homes to the kdneys and warms the bladder. The flavor of fresh Bai Guo is particularly excellent [at treating this disease]. Its qualities are sweet, bitter, and astringent. This medicinal is excellent for treatment to constrain the lungs and calm panting and is taken to constrain, astringe, and reduce urination. The Ben Cao Gang Mu (Detailed Outline of Materia Medica) says this medicinal can “reduce urination and stop white turbidity.” In general, by looking at this whole formula, you may see there is cold and warm ingredients mutually existing. This formula overall is warm but not drying and uses many ingredients that are sour, astringent, and level that effect the three main viscera involved in enuresis – the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. With various additions and subtractions, this formula is very versatile. It treats both the root and the branch or tip of this disease, achieves good results, is cheap in price, and has no toxicity. For these reasons, this formula may be worth using and its use [in treating enuresis may] spread.
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