Novel Formulas for Releasing the Exterior

by Skye Sturgeon, DAOM, L.Ac.

Note: Access to the Mayway Prescription System requires a Licensed Practitioner account and you must be logged in to our website for the links to the formulas to function. Prescription Bottles

Though these formulas are comprised mostly of well-known herbs, they are unique in that they do not exactly correspond to classical formulas. Consequently, we have created new templates for practitioners in our prescription service, which may be found here. Most importantly, we will safely drop ship these prescriptions directly to your patients for no additional fee.

Although we know there are numerous sources of information, these new templates are primarily derived from four sources. The details regarding these formulas are explained in the links to the source materials cited below and are focused on prevention and early onset of symptoms. More advanced conditions are unlikely to be treated by acupuncturists, but, of course, one can always make a custom prescription. In all cases, notice the source’s staging or TCM differential diagnosis that is appropriate to your patient’s presentation.

Nearly all herbs in these formulas are available in whole herb form from Mayway Herbs with the exceptions of Xi Xin, Bing Lang, and Da Fu Pi, which are prohibited from importation by FDA, and Qing Pi, for which we have recommended Fo Shou instead. Viable substitutions for certain herbs are discussed in Dr. John K. Chen’s seminar, described below. He suggests the combinations of Di Long 12g, Xing Ren (Ku) 9g, and Zi Su Zi 9g for Ma Huang and Qiang Huo 9g, Fang Geng 9g, Bai Jie Zi 9g, and Gan Jiang 9g for Xi Xin. These recommended substitutes are not included in the templates but if a practitioner wants to add them to the template, they can save the template as a custom formula and add them to the formula at that point.

One set of templates is from a Distance Learning Webinar available on Mayway’s website entitled, “Coronavirus: CE Course Modern Research from Traditional Chinese Medicine”. This webinar is presented by Dr. Michael McCulloch, Research Director at the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, CA. There are three formula templates from this webinar. (Please note that these are extract powder formulas.)

Pine Street Foundation Templates

(note: The links to the templates require that you have a Practitioner account and that you are logged into your account on our website.)

Another group of formula templates are extracted from Guidance for Corona Virus Disease 2019, edited by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. The English language version of this 138-page book can be downloaded here. These formulas, and those from Hubei Provincial Hospital and Wuhan Union Hospital are discussed in some detail in the presentation by Dr. John K Chen during a seminar entitled Coronavirus (Covid-19) Treatment with TCM in China. This seminar, sponsored by Pacific College of Health and Science, is available on Pacific College's Website. You can also download a PDF of the slide presentation on the same page.

The formula templates from the National Health Commission are designated by the prefix PRC before the formula name. These formulas, and those that follow, are based on whole herbs. If you prefer to use extract powders, please see this document on our website regarding how to convert whole herb formulas into extract powder formulas. Otherwise, Mayway is in the process of converting these formulas into whole herb-based templates, including possible substitutes for Ma Huang, which should be posted over the next few days. Keep in mind the dosage of extract powders will vary based on age, weight, severity of symptoms, and other factors.

PRC Formula Templates

(note: The links to the templates require that you have a Practitioner account and that you are logged into your account to function.)

*See “Lung Clearing and Detoxifying Soup for Troubling Times”, an in-depth examination of this formula in this newsletter by Mark Frost, L.Ac., Chair of the Herbal Medicine Department at ACTCM at CIIS.

Hubei Provincial Hospital Templates

Designated by the prefix “Hubei” (note: The links to the templates require that you have a Practitioner account and that you are logged into your account to function.)

Wuhan Union Hospital Templates

Designated by the prefix “Wuhan” (note: The links to the templates require that you have a Practitioner account and that you are logged into your account to function.)

Finally, we want to remind you that the option to drop-ship formulas, herbal products, and prescriptions may be helpful, since many patients in these difficult times are experiencing a lot of stress and sleep challenges that can be diagnosed and treated by herbs prescribed remotely.  It’s more important than ever that we tonify any deficiencies, especially the wei qi. This could be a focus not only for your patients but for your friends and your entire family. Please know that Mayway Herbs is here to help you determine the appropriate formula, and to be a resource in these challenging times.

Last updated January 17, 2021
Skye Sturgeon, DAOM, L.Ac.
Quality Assurance Manager & Herbal Consultant at Mayway Herbs

Bio: Skye Sturgeon, DAOM, L.Ac.

Skye is the Quality Assurance Manager and Special Consultant for Mayway, USA. Skye was the former Chair of Acupuncture & East Asian Medicine and core faculty member at Bastyr University, core faculty member and Faculty Council Chair at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and President and Senior Professor of the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley. Before making Chinese medicine his career choice, Skye held various positions in the Natural Foods Industry for 12 years and prior to that was a clinical biochemist and toxicologist.