Choosing TCM Formulas, Is Invigorate the Collaterals Used to Treat the Side Effects of Prednisone?

 

Recently, Adriana asked if Invigorate the Collaterals could be given “to dogs taking prednisone because they tend to be hot, thirsty and with polyuria, a kind of yin deficiency pattern.”

My answer is, generally, no. Invigorate the Collaterals is more for blood stasis.

Invigorate the Collaterals

Invigorate the Collaterals is used for many acute and chronic conditions, especially those with pain caused by blockages. For example, bruises, trauma, arthritis, sciatica, rheumatism, stomach ulcers, dermal ulcers, and uterine discomfort associated with endometrioses or dysmenorrhea.

TCM indications for Invigorate the Collaterals

Invigorate the Collaterals is designed to re-establishing normal flow of energy and blood through muscles, tendons, and internal organs. When blood flow or energy flow through the body is blocked, there’s pain. Invigorate the Collaterals relieves pain. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Invigorate the Collaterals, which is based on the ancient formula, Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan, affects the blood, the luo vessels, and Liver, Heart and Kidney meridians.

When choosing a formula for dogs on prednisone, consider their underlying problem. Are they being given pred for allergies, hot spots, inflammatory bowel disease, acute disc disease, etc. Choose the herbal formula to address the underlying condition. By treating the root problem, it’s usually possible to reduce the dose and frequency that pred is needed, thus reducing the symptoms prednisone causes.

For dogs with diseases caused by their adrenals producing too much cortisol, which is the body’s natural prednisone, consider giving

• ginkgo,
• Quell Fire (Long Dan Xie Gan Tang),
• Four Marvels (Si Miao San)
• Ophiopogon Root Decoction (Mai Men Dong Tang).

For dogs with diseases causing increased amount of urine (polyuria) consider giving

• Consolidate Moisture
• Lotus Nourishing Formula (Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin).

For dogs with diseases caused by kidney failure, resulting in excessive urination, consider giving

• Rehmannia Eight (Ba Hui Di Huang Wan)
• Eucommia and Rehmannia Combination.

Good for you, Adriana

Good for you, Adriana, for wanting to help your dog. Please work with your holistic veterinarian to choose the best TCM formula to help with your pet's underlying problems, the problems that lead to his needing prednisone.

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