Question
I’ve developed facial paralysis from blowing air conditioning, and I’d like to know what the traditional Chinese medicine treatments for facial paralysis are?
Answer
It is possible to treat facial paralysis with traditional Chinese medicine. The characteristics of Wind-Heat Obstruction syndrome include a sudden onset, with symptoms such as facial distortion, incomplete eyelid closure, headache, facial heat or fever, aversion to wind, and restlessness and thirst. There may be pain behind the ears, red tongue with thin yellow fur, floating rapid pulse. Treatment involves adjusting the Silver Bird Powder. The main effects are to dispel wind, clear heat, and activate meridians and collaterals. The characteristics of Phlegm-Wind Obstruction syndrome include sudden facial distortion, facial numbness or twitching, swelling of the face, or saliva dribbling from the corner of the mouth, feeling heavy in the head as if wrapped in cloth, chest and diaphragm fullness and stuffiness, dry heaving with phlegm, a large tongue with white greasy fur, and a wiry slippery pulse. Treatment involves adjusting the Tendon Straightening Powder and the Guiding Phlegm Decoction. The main effects are to dispel wind, cool blood, and activate collaterals to stop spasms.