Stone-K Formula
Plum Flower® Modern Masters™ Stone-K Formula (結石靈 Jié Shí Líng, “Stone Efficacious”) was originally named Niào Shí Tōng (尿石通 “Clear Urine Stone”) in China. A study of this formula was funded by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of the People’s Republic of China. The Niào Shí Tōng empirical prescription was developed over a twenty-year period by Dr. Liu Ji Mok based on the combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and his clinical experiences accumulated through decades of medical practice as the Chief Physician of the Urinary Calculus Research Institute of Dong Guan City in Guangdong Province. This unique formula is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts but formulated and evaluated from a western science and medicine perspective. Animal studies and controlled, randomized, clinical trials were conducted at four research institutes and five hospitals in the People’s Republic of China. In the five-hospital study, over 50% of the participants experienced complete resolution of their symptoms. The results demonstrated a significant improvement over the former standard of care in the PRC, which had been the administration of Shi Lin Tong Pian, a tablet extract of a single Chinese herb, Guǎng jīn qián cǎo / Herba Desmodii.
Within the diagnostic standards of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Stone-K Formula is intended for Shí lìn 石淋 or “Stone Obstruction” with Qi stagnation, retention of Dampness in the Lower Jiao, and underlying Kidney Qi deficiency since sufficient Kidney Qi is necessary to promote normal urinary function. Urinary stones form when Heat or Damp-Heat accumulates in the Lower Jiao. The presence of Heat or Damp-Heat in this region causes fluids to dry and congeal leading to the eventual formation of urinary obstruction or lìn zhèng 淋症 characterized by the presence of sand-like crystals in the urine. While genetics and obesity are predisposing, 80% of these crystals are calcium oxalate which is caused by the consumption of high oxalate foods and low amounts of fluid intake. Calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C supplementation and a high consumption of fruit juices and animal protein may also be contributing causes.
Clinical signs include a tongue that may be red to dark red with a greasy yellow coat and the pulse may be string-taut, tense, and perhaps rapid. The individual may experience urinary urgency, post-micturition dribbling, and renal colic. Other symptoms including sweating, nausea, vomiting, hematuria, and severe pain may require additional medical intervention.
This treatment principle of this formula is to Clear Heat (qing re 清熱), Drain Damp (qu shi 祛濕), Move Qi, Expel Stasis (xing qi zhu yu 行氣逐瘀), Promote Urine, and Expel Stone (tong lin pai shi 通淋排石). The proprietary blend of ingredients of the formula are:
Functions of the Ingredients
Guǎng jīn qián cǎo (廣金錢草) / Desmodium styracifolium herb is the chief herb of the formula. It is sweet, bland, and cold and is used to clear Heat, promote urination, stop urinary hesitancy, and expel stones.
Fú líng (茯苓) / Poria cocos fungus is sweet, bland, and neutral. Acting as the main deputy, it is used to promote urination, drain Dampness, and strengthen the Spleen.
Chē qián zĭ (車前子) / Plantago asiatica herb is sweet, bland, cold, and slippery. It is another deputy that strongly clears and drains Damp Heat in the Lower Jiao and promotes urination.
Sī guā luò (絲瓜絡) / Luffa cylindrica sponge is sweet and bland and acts as an assistant in that it resolves toxicity, reduces swelling and transforms phlegm.
Qĭng má zĭ (茼麻子) / Abutilon theophrastii seed is bitter and neutral and serves as an additional assistant since it clears Heat, resolves Dampness, and stops post-micturition dribbling.
Huái niú xī (淮牛膝) / Achyranthes bidentata root is bitter, sour, and neutral. While Niú xī tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, it is used in this formula to assist in clearing Damp Heat from the lower Jiao and for its empirical function to stop post-micturition dribbling and pain.
Hǎi jīn shā (海金沙) / Lygodium japonicum spore is sweet, bland, cold, and downward directing. It serves as another assistant by promoting urination, unblocking post-micturition dribbling, and expelling stones.
Zhĭ zhí (枳實) / Citrus aurantium fruit-immature is bitter, acrid, slightly cold, sinking, and downward-directing. Zhĭ zhí acts as the guide in the formula to direct the action downward while breaking up stagnant Qi, transforming Phlegm and reducing accumulation.
Chuān mù tōng (川木通) / Clematis armandii stem is bland, bitter, and cold. Chuān mù tōng is another assistant that promotes urination, clears Damp Heat, and unblocks post-micturition dribbling and pain.
Plum Flower® Modern Masters™ Stone-K Formula is a clinically proven, valuable herbal formula that is available for professional use only. This herbal approach offers a proven, non-pharmaceutical option for practitioners to support healthy urinary function.
 Bio: Skye Sturgeon, DAOMSkye 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. |
