Antiphospholipid syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition in which the immune system creates antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues. Specifically, they target proteins on the outside of cells, causing a wide variety of symptoms, including some that can be fatal.
Chinese medicine considers the condition to be the result of blood stagnation, which is then treated with herbs like E Zhu.
What are the Risk Factors, Signs and Complications of Antiphospholipid Syndrome?
Antiphospholipid syndrome can emerge in someone without previous signs or symptoms, but it more often presents in people already suffering from an autoimmune disorder. It’s also more common in women.
While the condition can cause neurological symptoms in some (such as migraines or seizures), the primary concern is blood clotting. Antiphospholipid syndrome can cause a variety of blood clots all over the body, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) clots that are potentially fatal.
As such, antiphospholipid syndrome can cause cardiovascular disease, stroke, transient ischemia attack, and repeated miscarriages.
How can E Zhu Be Used for Antiphospholipid Syndrome?
Chinese medicine practitioners consider blood disorders like antiphospholipid syndrome to be the result of blood “stasis,” or poor circulation. Blood clots in particular are believed to be caused by reduced blood flow, which may indicate a problem with the Qi. As the body’s primary animating energy, Qi is also responsible for moving the blood and improving circulation.
E Zhu is an herb that is known to fortify the blood’s Qi, which can help break up stagnations like clots. E Zhu targets the liver and spleen, entering those organs and supporting functions that build up the blood’s Qi. In this way, herbs like E Zhu can help with conditions like antiphospholipid syndrome, which typically manifest with blood-related symptoms.