Knee & Ankle (AC)
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
  • Acute knee and ankle injuries: sprain and strain, pain with swelling and inflammation
  • Acute leg injuries: damages to the soft tissues, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones
  • Soreness of the knee from repeated pressure and use of the knees, tendonitis, bursitis, sprain, and strain, patellar tendonitis
WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
  • Analgesic effect of relieving pain
  • Anti-inflammatory effect of reducing swelling and inflammation
  • Antiarthritic effect of suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines
  • Antirheumatic effect to protect against joint destruction
INGREDIENTS
  • Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubrae)
  • Chuan Mu Xiang (Radix Vladimiriae)
  • Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae)
  • Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)
  • Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei)
  • Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
  • Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae)
  • Du Huo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis)
  • Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae)
  • Hong Hua (Flos Carthami)
  • Mo Yao (Myrrha)
  • Mu Gua (Fructus Chaenomelis)
  • Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum)
  • San Qi (Radix et Rhizoma Notoginseng)
  • Su Mu (Lignum Sappan)
  • Tao Ren (Semen Persicae)
  • Wu Yao (Radix Linderae)
  • Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci)
  • Ze Lan (Herba Lycopi)
FORMULA EXPLANATION
Knee & Ankle (AC) is designed to treat knee and ankle disorders characterized by swelling, inflammation, and pain. It contains herbs that activate qi and blood circulation, eliminate qi and blood stasis, clear heat, and reduce swelling and inflammation.

In this formula, many herbs activate qi and blood circulation. Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae), and Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) are used to tonify blood and activate blood circulation. Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae), Chuan Mu Xiang (Radix Vladimiriae), and Wu Yao (Radix Linderae) tonify qi and activate qi circulation. Furthermore, San Qi (Radix et Rhizoma Notoginseng), Ze Lan (Herba Lycopi), Tao Ren (Semen Persicae), Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubrae), and Hong Hua (Flos Carthami) activate blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis to treat pain. Ze Lan (Herba Lycopi) also can drain swelling associated with the inflammatory stage in acute pain conditions. Su Mu (Lignum Sappan), Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci), and Du Huo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis) open peripheral channels and collaterals to relieve pain. Mu Gua (Fructus Chaenomelis) relaxes the muscles to treat cramps, spasms, and stiffness. It helps repair damaged tendons and ligaments. Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) drains swelling and inflammation that often occurs with acute physical injuries. It is one of the most commonly used herbs for acute trauma.  Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum) and Mo Yao (Myrrha) dramatically reduce pain associated with external and trauma injuries. Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae) and Du Huo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis) act as channel-guiding herbs to direct the formula’s effect to the lower extremities and increase blood circulation to the area of the knees. Lastly, Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) tonifies qi and harmonizes the formula.

In summary, Knee & Ankle (AC) is an excellent formula to treat acute injuries of the knees and ankles with accompanying swelling, inflammation, and pain.
BACKGROUND
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue injuries lead to over 10 million clinic visits annually in the United States. Causes of these injuries may be external (sports injuries, car accidents, trauma), internal (chronic wear and tear of muscles, ligaments, and tendons; bones weakened by osteoporosis), or both. Acute injuries are characterized by severe pain, swelling, inflammation, and in some cases, internal bleeding. Treatment of acute injuries should focus on relieving pain, reducing swelling and inflammation, and stopping bleeding. Chronic injuries are dull aches, stiffness and numbness, and decreased muscle mass and strength. Treatment of chronic injuries includes pain relief and restoration of physical and physiological functions.