Peripheral Neuropathy

Current Western medicine lacks definitive drugs to promote the regeneration of damaged peripheral nerves and focuses on symptom control (alleviating pain and numbness). Herbal medicine does not directly regenerate the nerves themselves, but rather exerts its effects by creating the environment necessary for nerve recovery. Medicinal herbs such as Angelica gigas, Astragalus membranaceus, and Cnidium officinale, which activate blood circulation and dissolve blood stasis, increase peripheral blood flow to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the nerves, while their antioxidant components reduce neurotoxic oxidative stress. Additionally, they soothe nerve inflammation through their immune-modulating effects. In Korean medicine, nerve damage is viewed as a condition caused by a deficiency of Qi and blood, as well as blood stasis blocking the pathways of Qi and blood. The principle of treatment is to replenish Qi and blood to establish the nutritional foundation necessary for the nerves and to activate blood circulation to resolve microvascular congestion. At Dongjedang, we prescribe herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution based on their condition (Qi and blood deficiency, decreased spleen and kidney function, liver and kidney yin deficiency, etc.). When combined with acupuncture and pharmacopuncture, the rate of improvement in Qi and blood circulation is faster compared to monotherapy, and in many cases, the temperature sensation in the hands and feet recovers first.