Chinese Pills for Prostatitis

Much of the material is taken from postings in the newsgroup sci.med.prostate.prostatitis. I have edited some postings a little. I am not an expert in herbs or medicines, but I have had some interesting recent experiences in which Chinese herbal medicines seemed to affect the course of my prostatitis. Mike Kim scanned in the pill boxes.

Jim Worthey. Introduction Herbal remedies have been discussed in the newsgroup sci.med.prostate.prostatitis since it began in 1995 October. Nonetheless, it was a novelty when Richard Renaud posted this message on 1996 September 17: From: rreno@quebectel.com (The Chinese Way) Newsgroups: sci.med.prostate.prostatitis Subject: Chinese herbs for prostatitis Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2021 21:17:58 GMT

Try the chinese patent medicine Qian Lie Xian Wan [Prostate Gland Pills] for 1 month (6 pills 3 times/day). This is a very effective product. You can find this product in any chinatown. You can also check with acupuncturists or chinese herbalists, they are the best resource for oriental diagnosis.

"The Chinese Way" The first man to post his experience with Chinese pills did not buy the same pills that "The Chinese Way" had recommended: Subject: Re: Chinese herbs for prostatitis From: "Guillaume D." <maheux@total.net>Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2021 16:40:57 -0400 Dear men, I purchased 180 of these Prostate Gland Pills this afternoon, in our local Chinatown (Montreal, PQ), and I am very impressed by the literature enclosed. The best (although badly translated) short description of prostatitis I ever read. One phrase says: "If treated with western methods only, patients always unsatisfy (sic) with the results. It is hard to recover and patients still in pain." The whole lot only cost me 10$ Canadian, and it does not contain Dianthus. I've taken my first dose and will give you a pill by pill description of my adventure. In any case, I'll send my mother-in-law after you if her daughter is not satisfied. Regards, Guy

Pills
Click on pic for a bigger one	At left is a box from pills of the type that Guillaume bought. Click on the little picture to see a more-detailed view. Below is all the English-language information from the package insert. PROSTATE GLAND PILLS Also named "KAI KIT WAN"
INGREDIENTS: Vaccaria Seqetalis, Paeonia Suffruticosa, Paeonia Veitchii lynch, Astragalus membranaceus, Patrinia Villoea juss, Peucedanum praeruptorum, Glycyrrhiza Glabra L., Saussurea lappa clarke, Akebia trifoliata FUNCTIONS: Conditioning Prostate Gland functions, promoting glands activities, helping the recycle of blood and stop pains and inflammation. INDICATIONS: Chronic Prostatitis, Urethritis, Haematuria, Painful Urethra, Dysuria, Lower abdominal pain, low back pain, Testis pain and Cord pain. DOSAGE: 6 Pills each time, 3 times a day. To be taken with warm water.
Chronic Prostatitis is a common disease in men. It always happen together with Urethritis and Epididymitis. If treated with western methods only, patients always unsatisfy with the results. It is hard to recover and patients still in pain. Chinese Medical determine that prostate gland inflammation belongs to a section of Urinary tract infection. It is in the field of Gonorrhoea. Chronic Prostatitis happens because the disease haven't been completely recover in the acute period and the pathogenic bacteria still incubate in the glands. In the development of chronic inflammation, main changes are fibrosis, granuloutes infiltration and, tubular gland obstruction making the result of Dysuria. Since some chronic prostatitis patients use different medicines and have bad results, people in the Medical field tried their best to study, using many valuable Chinese medicines and developed this "Prostate Gland Pills." Produced under the Supervision of Kwan Chow United Manufactory of Chinese Medicine The People's Republic of China
Click on pic for a bigger one	This box is from the first Chinese pills that I tried. I have repeatedly called these "kidney pills" in my news postings. Richard Renaud mentioned in an email message that this formula is 2000 years old. Later, he described these pills in detail: From: rreno@quebectel.com To: jworthey@starpower.net Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2021 13:27:49 +0000 Subject: Green box pills The formula [at left] is in the family of formulas that tonify and warm the kidneys. The symptoms for the use of these formulas are: exaustion, feeling of cold, cold hands and feet, pain and weakness of lower back and legs, frequent urinating, sexual asthenia, early morning diarrhea. Description of the formula Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan [Sexoton Pills] Function: Tonify and warm kidney Yang. Use for: Chronic nephritis, Beriberi, Diabetes, Chronic asthma, Neurasthenia, Rheumatism, Lumbar pain, Weakness of lower back and knees, Feeling of cold in the waist area, Dysuria, Frequent or difficult urination, Edema, Thirst, Cough, Diarrhea. Composition of the formula: - Radix Rehmannia glutinosa 29.63% - Radix Dioscorea japonica 14.81% - Radix Paeonia suffructicosa 11.11% - Sclerotium Poriae cocos 11.11% - Cortex Cinnamomum cassia 3.7% - Rhizoma Cyperi 3.7% - Rhizoma Alismatis orientalis 11.11% - Fructus Corni officinalis 14.83% Dosage: 8 pills 3 times/day. This formula is frequently used for people over 40 years. So, there you go. "Kidney Pills" are really Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan [Sexoton Pills].
Qian Lie Xian Wan	The "logo" at left is generic, the flag of the People's Republic of China. As of 1996 November 11, I only have pictures of the boxes for the 2 pills above. Richard provides this information about the pills that he first mentioned: Formula Prostate Gland Pills [Qian Lie Xian Wan] also named Kai Kit Pill (white box with green orange and red stripes, made by Kwan Chow United Factory in box of 90 pills) 6 pills 3 times/day. - Semen Vacariae Vegetalis (Vacaria seed) - Radix Paeniae Rubra (Red Peony) - Radix Peucadeni (Peucadenum root) - Radix Aucklandiae Lappae (Saussaurea root) - Herba Radice Patriniae (Patrinia plant) - Cortex Moutan Radicis (Moutan root) - Radix Astragali Membranacei (Astragalus root) - Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis (Licorice root) - Caulis Akebiae Trifoliatae (Akebia stemm) My ex-wife, Carol Thomas, who is trained in botany, looked up these ingredients in her books and found 6 of them: Vacaria seed: no information Red Peony: aids intestinal tract; antiseptic; hemostatic; anti- pyretic (controls fever); promotes circulation. Peucedanum root: aids respiration; induces perspiration. Saussaurea root: analgesic; stomachic. Patrinia plant: no info Moutan root: no info Astragalus root: diuretic; impedes perspiration; good for prolapses of rectum, womb, etc. Astragalus root (according to New Age Herbalist): strengthens immune system; aids digestion; helps discharge pus and promote healing of ulcers. Licorice root: anti-pyretic; also good for respiratory system; also an analgesic. Indications: Blood & energy deficiency; toxic abscesses; respiratory problems (sore throat, cough, asthma); acute abdominal pains. Remarks: most commonly used Chinese herb; in nearly all prescriptions; it is good for all systems and improves the taste of the medicine. Licorice root (New Age): Tonic; good for ulcers; anti-inflammatory; anti-arthritic; effects similar to cortisone; antibacterial; can neutralize many toxins, e.g. diphtheria and tetanus. Reduces stomach acid; eases spasm of large intestine; anti-pyretic; lowers blood cholesterol. Warning: can cause retention of sodium and potassium, and possibly increase blood pressure, despite containing asparagine, which counters this tendency. (I noticed that on your web page you mention in your warning about licorice that it can cause "retention of potassium". Actually, the danger with licorice is that it acts like aldotsterone and increases the excretion of potassium. --- Suggested correction by reader) Akebia stem: diuretic; good for painful urination; reduces inflammation and fever.
The 2 reference books are: Daniel P. Reid, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Shambhala Publications, Boston, 1987. Paperback, 8 1/2 x 11 format. Richard Mabey, Consultant Editor, The New Age Herbalist, Collier Books, New York, 1988.
The primary reference is Chinese Herbal Medicine. Many of these properties seem helpful for prostatitis, don't they? I'm betting on Astragalus as real important, if it "helps discharge pus." Vacaria seed, Patrinia plant, and Moutan root remain mystery ingredients, if anybody can look 'em up.
Kai Kit Pill [Jie Jie Wan]	Here's a different take on "Kai Kit Pills:" Formula Kai Kit Pill [Jie Jie Wan] (green box with grey stripes made by Hanyang Pharmaceutical Works in box of 54 pills) 3-6 pills 2-3 times/day. - Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosa (Rehmannia root) - Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae (Codonopsis root) - Semen Plantaginis (Plantago seed) - Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Salvia root) - Semen Cuscutae Chinensis (Cuscuta seed) - Radix Astragali Membranacei (Astragalus root) - Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Ligustrum fruit) - Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (Achyranthes root) - Rhizoma Alismatis Orientalis (Alisma rhizome) - Ootheca Mantidis (Mantis egg case)
	In the sci.med.prostate.prostatitis, David Mason mentioned some pills that look similar to the ones just described, but with 3 additional herbs substituted for the mantis egg case: From: dpmason@mc4adm.uwaterloo.ca (David Mason) Subject: Kai Kit Pills Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2021 18:00:44 GMT I've purchased a bottle of Kai Kit Pills from my local health food store. The manufacturer is Hanyang Pharmaceutical Works. There are 54 pills and they are to be taken 2-3 pills 2-3 times daily. The price is $20 Canadian. They come in a tiny glass jar, with a green lid. The main part of the label is green with red printing "KAI KIT PILL". A few days ago, I compared the ingredients with someone posting here. Only one of the ten ingredients matched. I'm wondering if I have the correct product. As I recall, people were buying Kai Kit pills for $4-$5. I've listed the ingredients below: Astragalus Memranaceus 20% Codonopsis Pilosula 20% Rehmannia Glutinosa 20% Astragalus Memranaceus 20% Codonopsis Pilosula 20% Rehmannia Glutinosa 20% Ligustrum Lucidum Ait. 10% Plantago Asiatica L. 5% Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge. 5% Achyranthes Bidentata Bl. 5% Paratenodera Sinensis Saussure 5% Alisma Plantago-Aqatica L. 5% Cuscuta Chinensis Lam 5% Help if you can, Dave
	That's the Taiwan flag at left. Mike Kim collected some information from a website in Taiwan, http://www.users.wow.net.tw . I have not been able to connect to this site. Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2021 00:26:08 PST From: Mike Kim <mikekim@juno.com>Subject: Chinese Herbs I've been doing quite a bit of research on the Chinese herbal formulas for treating prostatitis. It seems there are a number of formulas and some of the names are interchangeable, or so it would appear from what any of a number of distributors of the products tell me. Below is some of the information I gathered mostly from the Chinese Medicine Information website at http://www.users.wow.net.tw . This site has an encyclopedia listing all the single and multi-herb combinations (known as patents/formulas). It looks like some of these herbal formulas are for chronic prostatitis, while others may be for acute prostatitis and others for various other prostate related problems. Since we are not all suffering from the same symptoms, it would seem there is an herbal remedy for whatever it is that ails you. #1. JI KUI SHENQI WAN and KAI KIT KANG are -- Suggested dose is 3-5 pills 3x a day taken with water or juice or dissolved in hot water to make a tea. Use: Tonifying the kidney, and invigorating qi (energy), invigorating the gate of life. It is used for the decline of vital gate - fire, lumbago due to deficiency of the kidney, men's serious thirst and frequent micturition. #2. TAO HE CHENG QI TANG -- (Persica & Rhubarb Combination). Ingredients: Persicae, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Rhei, Mirabltum Depuratum, Gan Cao, Glycyrrhizae. Actions: Dispels stagnant blood, improves blood ciruclation. Indications: Stagnant blood, climacteric disorders, menstural irregularity, endometritis, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, prostatomegaly, dermatitis, eczema, hemoptosis, hematuria, neuralgia, rheumatism, habitual constipation, sunken and solid pulse. This formula has been popularly used in treating various gynecological diseases. #3. LIU YI SAN -- (Talcum and Licorice Forumula). Ingredients: Talcum, Gan Cao, Glycyrrhizae Radix. Actions: Clears summer heat, promotes diuresis, resolves dampness. Indications: Fever, restlessness, thirst, difficulty in urination, reddish urine, micturition pain, urinary stone stranguria, general urinary infections. #4. WU LI SAN -- (Gardenia & Hoelen Formula). Ingredients: Chi Fu Ling, Poria Rubra, Chi Sao, Paeonia Rubra, Shan Zhi Zi, Gardeniae, Dang Gui, Angelicae Sinensis, Gan Cao, Glycyrrhizae, Deng Xin Cao, Junci Medulla. Actions: Dispels bladder heat, promotes urination. Indications: Urethritis, Cystitis, Cystolith, renal lithiasis, and urinary disease. #5. BA ZHENG SAN -- (Dianthus Formula). Ingredients: Che Qian Zi, Plantaginis, Mu Tong, Akebiae Caulis, Qu Mai, Dianthi, Bian Xu, Polygoni Avicularis, Hua Shi, Talcum, Gan Cao, Glycyrrhizae, Shan Zhi Zi, Gardeniae, Da Huang, Rhei, Junci Medulla. Actions: Dispels heat, purges fire, delivers water, promotes urination. Indications: Cystitis, urethritis, urinary infections, acute prostatitis, and acute nephritis. #6. BI XIE FEN QING YIN -- (Tokoro Combination). Ingredients: Bi Xie, Dioscoreae Hypoglauca, Wu Yao, Linderae, Fu Ling, Cocos, Shi Chang Pu, Acori Graminei, Yi Zhi, Alpiniae Oxyphyllae, Gan Cao, Glycyrrhizae. Actions: Warms the kidneys, excretes dampness, clears turbid urine. Indications: Chronic cystitis, polyuria, urethritis, turbid urine, and chronic prostatitis. I'm not a doctor or an expert on Chinese medicine or herbs. As I understand it these things are part of the Chinese medical tradition and go hand in hand with a practitioner/doctor who examines the patient and then prescribes the various herbs just as our doctors exam and then prescribe treatment.
	From: Steve Joyce, joyce@wedoit.enet.dec.com Subject: Re: "Prostate Gland Pills" info Date: 28 Oct 2021 13:40:49 GMT Check out the following sites for Chinese Herb info: http://www.ccom.net/~dragen/kgc/ http://www.chineseherb.com/ http://graddiv.ucsb.edu/~nivens/herbs/tcm.html http://www.herbsinfo.com/default.htm Steve
	Subject: Re: "Prostate Gland Pills" info From: mwalters@tmn.com (Myron Walters) Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2021 12:47:25 GMT "G. Gimenez" <gimenezs@sarenet.es>wrote: Hello. How Could I find those pills? I'm calling from Spain, and I've never go to a herbs shop.
	I just found a mail order source for Chinese medicine and ordered these Prostate Pills. They currently have a special of 2 boxes for $14 running till November 1. East Meets West International 4621 W Lake Ave Glenview, IL 60025-1409 telephone 1-800-628-7254 I located them on the internet at http://eastmeetswest.ms.wwa.com/ Myron Walters
	From: rreno@quebectel.com (The Chinese Way) Subject: Re: "Prostate Gland Pills" info Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2021 22:49:47 GMT fred41957@aol.com (FRED41957) wrote: Thank you, Richard. Now let's see what results the people that are taking them have. Hopefully those that experiment with these pills will post their experiences. Don't forget that you have to take these pills for at least 1 month at the recommended dosage (6 pills 3 times/day) for a real test. Generally on the 2th bottle you will feel improvement, it is the regular taking that will "kill" the infection. Richard Renaud Subject: Re: Taking Prostate Gland Pills From: mwalters@tmn.com (Myron Walters) Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2021 00:19:10 GMT mwalters@tmn.com (Myron Walters) wrote: >The man at East Meets West International advised me that in cases of chronic prostatitis that have been around for a number of years (15-20 years for me) it may be necessary to continue on the pills for as much as 3-4 months. By separate mailing I've asked Richard Renaud for his opinion. To me on the safe side, I've decided to continue for at least a 2nd month. On 9 Nov 96 Richard Renaud responded to me with the following: Yes you may need to be on them for more than one month, the one month trial is for testing the effectiveness of the formula. You have to take the formula until complete absence of symptoms, I don't know how long in your case The warm water is for complete dissolution of the pills and for maximum absorption. I usually take other chinese formulas with room temperature water and it's ok. and in response to my question on books on Chinese medicine: The chinese medicine is generally divided in two categories: the diagnosis and the methods of treatment. The diagnosis is the more difficult part. The methods of treatments are acupuncture, herbology, massage, chi kung, medicated diet. All these methods use the same diagnostic method For a good understanding of the chinese medicine : - The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk (* excellent) For a good beginning with chinese herbology: - Chinese Herbal Cures by Henry C. Lu; - Chinese Herbal Medicine by Daniel P. Reid For more advanced study : - Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica by D. Bensky - Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas & Strategies by D. Bensky For a beginning in chinese diagnosis : - Chinese Planetary Herbal Diagnosis by Michael Tierra For the use of our north american herbs with the chinese system : - Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra (* excellent) Richard
	This newsgroup posting concerned Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Sexoton Pills). These are the pills in the green box pictured above. From: jworthey@starpower.net Subject: Re: Chinese herbs for prostatitis Date: 4 Oct 2021 04:03:03 GMT jworthey@starpower.net wrote: I now have my own curious experience with Chinese pills Tuesday morning I saw my urologist for a drainage. So he stuck his digit up my ass, and the first thing he said was "Your prostate is smaller today." The pills were anything but a placebo for the prostate! This was a comment he had never made before and I did not put any words in his mouth. On Tuesday, though the prostate was smaller, it gave a good yield of EPS. I took both of these to be good signs. Now it's Thursday, and I saw the urologist again. My longer story is that today was drainage #46 (not a misprint). I am enjoying what might be called CFMWVPU, the Conservative Feliciano Method With Very Patient Urologist. My only antibiotic has been Macrobid, which is not known to penetrate the prostate well, but which is also low on ill effects, such as engendering resistant germies. My improvement has been coming in baby steps lately, but the doc sort of believes that the drainages will win in the end. (We're working on getting better lab work, but that's off the subject right now.) Now back in May I had an ultrasound exam (see http://www.prostate.org/trus.html). It showed a cyst on one ejaculatory duct. The doc has always talked about this being on the right, but today he mentioned that he look another look at the images, and it's really on the left. We have speculated whether drainages without surgery might have drained that cyst. Symptomwise, I have much less pain than in May, but a sore spot has persisted that still causes frequent urination. So he pressed on the left side today and I said right away that a lot of fluid had been released; he pressed a second time, and I felt the same kind of flow again. I got a nice puddle on the microscope slide. When he looked at it in the microscope, he said the fluid was "packed" with white blood cells. He said this was true pus, not just a high white-cell count. Could this have been that nasty cyst, popped by drainage #46? I believe it was, because I feel better. Not quite cured, but maybe darned close. I also believe that the Chinese pills were important in setting up the gland so this could happen. This evening, I saw my Chinese-American friend again. I told him a short version of this story, so many treatments, now things speeded up. He said "Those pills were not for the prostate. They are kidney pills." All I know is they work wonders in conjunction with drainages. Just think if I had taken the right pills! I may yet find the true prostate pills as Richard posted this evening, but maybe I won't need them. Is life interesting or what? I am not making any of this up. Jim Worthey, jworthey@starpower.net This has continued to work through several drainages. Taking Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan [Sexoton Pills] in the day or 2 before a drainage gives more plentiful EPS, and often gives a lot of white blood cells in clumps and casts, suggesting that some blockages are newly opened. I am also taking Kai Kit Wan now, which might have a similar effect by themselves. Jim W.

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