As I was preparing to make this season’s batch of Purple Cloud Ointment, I came to the realization that many folks have never heard of the stuff. Of course, I really hadn’t heard of it either until I started learning about Chinese herbal medicine. So, for those of you who are not familiar with Purple Cloud Ointment here’s a few tidbits.
ASOM Purple Cloud Ointment
A basic formula includes:
Rx. Lithospermi / Zi Cao - this herb relieves Toxic Fire, Cools the Blood, and encourages progression of rashes.
Rx. Angelica Sinensis / Dang Gui – Tonifies Blood, Moves and Harmonizes blood, Disperses Cold and alleviates pain.
Resinae Myrrh / Mo Yao - Moves Blood, Dispels Blood Stasis, alleviates pain, relaxes sinews, promotes movement of Qi, reduce swellings, and generates flesh.
Sm. Bruceae / Ya Dan Zi - Clears Heat and Expels Toxins
Nidus Vespae / Lu Feng Fang (Wasp Nest) – relieves Toxicity, Expels Wind, alleviates pain, and Dries Dampness
Rx. Glycyrrhizae / Gan Cao – Clears Heat & Toxic Fire, alleviates pain, stops spasms, Harmonizes & Moderates characteristics of other herbs, and is an antidote for Toxicity
The herbs above are the ones most commonly found in Purple Cloud Ointment. Of course, each practitioner may add or subtract herbs from this formula to create their own version of the ointment. And thus, they can tailor it to their patient’s specific needs. I personally prefer to add Coptidis/Huang Lian and Rehmannia/Shu Di Huang. Huang Lian works to Drain Fire and relieve Toxicity. The Shu Di Huang helps to Tonify Blood and Nourish Yin.
The herbs are then heated in a plant-based carrier oil like sesame, almond, or coconut oil. After that the herbs are strained out, a solidifier is added to the oily mix. For my formula I prefer bee’s wax. I’ve also seen some practitoner’s products that use lanolin.
When these herbs are combined in the appropriate dosages, according to TCM theory, they clear Heat from the Blood, enrich the Blood, moisten dry cracking skin, repair chronic non-healing abrasions, clear Toxins and stop itching. The salve, of course, is used topically. And it is a natural treatment for cracking hands and feet, very dry rough skin, burns, frostbite, non-healing wounds, bed sores, fever blisters, eczema, hemorrhoids, diaper rash, insect bites, dermatitis, psoriasis, and itching of skin lesions. Needless to say it is an appropriate formula to have handy here in the arid, cold, Rocky Mountain West.
If you have any questions about Purple Cloud Ointment, feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email – terry@artesianspringom.com You are also more than welcome to purchase a jar from my online store if you are interested. It can be found here.
On a side note, I hope you all have a very blessed and merry Christmas. Cheers!
I was introduce to Purple Cloud ointment by my accupuncturist brother, who is none other than the author of this blog. And while this may seem like a shameless, nepotistic plug, I assure you it is not.
During the dry winter months the heels of my feet would always crack and be quite painful. Normal lotions, while they helped, did not really remedy the problem. Terry, then gave me some Purple Cloud ointment for Christmas. I would put it on right after showering, and after a couple of days there was a noticeable difference. I have been faithfully using Purple Cloud for two years now, and have been more than satisfied with the results. I truly like it because it is all natural, absorbs quickly, and most importantly, heals my dry skin.
If you are looking for something that will actually work on your dry skin, and isn’t loaded with a bunch synthetic materials, then please try Purple Cloud ointment. I recommend the Artesian Spring brand. (OK, so I couldn’t help adding a little bit of shameless plug.)
Hahaha! Thank you, Brother, for your shameless plug. I’m very glad that it helps you out.
I’m curious about your preference for beeswax for this formula. Does it work better than an oil-based medium or is it just less messy or something?
Thanks for your comment, Jon.
Actually, I sesame oil as the medium and just add beeswax to help solidify things a bit. That way it is more like an ointment or a salve.
Ah, that makes sense now. Thanks for sharing so generously!