By Dr. Harvey Kaltsas, Dipl. Ac

Ching Wan Hung

Ching Wan Hung is the queen of Chinese herbal ointments for the treatment of and 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns throughout China. It clears heat, moves the blood stops pain and suppuration, promotes tissue regeneration, and transforms the flesh. This stuff really works, and I keep it at home in the kitchen for whenever I might get a burn from cooking.

Many years ago, in the mid 1980’s , I made the mistake of using the carbonized smokeless moxa sticks, which are unfortunately still on the market and even being sold by Lhasa OMS. While treating one patient with indirect moxa on his back shu points, the moxa stick exploded and hurtled a glowing red hot ember onto my patient’s back.

The reason why this occurred I learned thereafter is because sometimes a bit of water is trapped inside the carbonized stick during the manufacturing process , and when that moisture is exposed to heat, it vaporizes into an expanding gas which serves as a propellant to shoot the carbonized missile forward. The Chinese were always good at fireworks.

Anyways, without a moment’s hesitation, I snatched the glowing moxa coal off my patient’s back with the index finger and thumb of my left hand, searing my own flesh but minimizing the burn on my patient. I immediately applied Ching Wan Hung to my patient and put a little Band-Aid over his afflicted area. He thought it was all part of the treatment and no burn mark, discomfort, or scarring ensued for him – and no major malpractice lawsuit befell me.

Parenthetically, I was once called as an expert witness in another case in which a patient’s leg had been severely burned by an indirect moxa stick. The patient required a skin graft, and the practitioner and his liability carrier were responsible for $50,000 in damages.
As for my own scorched fingers, I embalmed them in Ching Wan Hung and wrapped them in gauze. Within minutes the searing pain had stopped. I replaced both gauze and ointment every 24 hours, which is its preferred method of use when treating burns with Ching Wan Hung, and within a week my fingers were as good as new with no sign of scarring. This personal testimonial is representative of comments m any of my patients have told me and is why Ching Wan Hung is considered a state national treasure in China.
It is also useful for the treatment of hemorrhoids, eczema (especially for children), psoriasis, bedsores, and boils.
Its only drawbacks are that it has a dark color which easily stains clothing and bed sheets and that it is not to be used during pregnancy on the lower abdomen or lumbar
spine. Otherwise it is very safe.
It contains the following ingredients:
Lobelia Ban Bian Lian 27.5%
Myrrha Mo Yao  17.5
Angelica Dang Gui  12.0
Borneol Bing Pian  12.0
Sanguisorba Di Yu    8.5
Chaenomeles Mu Gua    8.5
Boswellia Ru Xiang    8.5
Carthamus Hong Hua   5.5
plus oil base

Po Sum On Oil

Invented in 1907, Po Sum On Medicated Oil  is rheumatic, decongestant  (applied  just beneath the nostrils), and analgesic. It provides long-lasting warmth when massaged into muscles. It moves the blood and relieves cold stagnation in the tissues.  Its intended
use is for minor aches and pains of muscles and joints due to sprains, simple backaches, arthritis, strains, and bruises.

German doctors say that the smell of peppermint oi l or Bo He, the main ingredient of Po Sum On, brings blood to the brain and makes the user more intelligent. Peppermint oil has been proven to create mental alertness and as such is commercially used as a stimulant by drivers who want to stay awake at nigh t without resorting to caffeine.
The Institute of Food Technologists reports in its April 28, 2005 online newsletter that:  “Peppermint/Cinnamon decrease driving frustration “The scent of peppermint or cinnamon in your car might make your morning commute less frustrating and you more alert when behind the wheel. That’s according to the results of a recent study led by Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, an associate professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV.

According to the study drivers demonstrated decreased levels of frustration, anxiety and fatigue when exposed to peppermint and cinnamon scents. The study also revealed that drivers were more alert.
The results of the study, Effects Of Odor Administration On Driving Performance, Safety, Alertness, And Fatigue, were presented at the recent Association for Chemical Reception Sciences Conference in Sarasota, FL. The study builds on Raudenbush’s past research, which indicated the odors of peppermint and cinnamon enhance motivation, performance, and alertness, decrease fatigue, and serve as central nervous system stimulants. “Given these results, it is reasonable to expect that the presentation of peppermint or cinnamon odor while driving may produce a more alert and conscientious driver, and minimize the fatigue associated with prolonged driving,” says Raudenbush.

In the present study, participants were monitored during stimulated driving under three odor conditions (peppermint, cinnamon, non-odor control). Odors were added to low flow oxygen (1.3L/min) via an oxygen concentrator and presented at the rate of 30 seconds every 15 minutes. Subjective measures of cognitive performance, wakefulness, mood, and workload were also assessed. “In general, prolonged driving led to increased anger, fatigue, and physical demand, and decreased vigor. However, fatigue ratings were
decreased in the cinnamon condition. Both cinnamon and peppermint administration led to increased ratings of alertness in comparison to the no -odor control condition over the course of the driving scenario. Periodic administration of these odors over long term driving may prove beneficial in maintaining alertness and decreasing highway accidents and fatalities,” says Raudenbush. ”

Although it may be used externally or freshen up the smell  of a room or car,  Po Sum On is not to be confused with pure peppermint oil from Bo He which is designed for internal consumption. Although in TCM Peppermint oil or Bo He is known to enter the lung and liver meridians and to treat common colds caused by wind heat, headache, and initial stages of measles, in the West it is most widely known for its help with all types of digestive problems. It has been found to help with irritable bowel syndrome. One drop mixed in carrier oil (grape seed or almond oil) and gently massaged into the abdomen will help relieve IBS, indigestion, flatulence and sickness. Po Sum On works in this external application as well.
In the 1960s the Japanese did a number of tests with Peppermint oil and found that if it was inhaled it work ed on the digestive system quicker and more effectively than if it had been taken in a capsule.
It will ward off a migraine and if you use 1 -2 drops of peppermint with 2 -3 of lavender in a bowl of hot water and inhale, the lavender lifts the headache and the
peppermint calms the sickness.  Po Sum On also works well to treat headaches when applied on the skin to the acupuncture points Tai Yang, Stomach 8, and/or G.B. 20.
Po Sum On is not advised for children under two (2) or for pregnant women.  Do not use on broken skin, on wounds, or if excessive irritation develops.  This is another liniment which will stain clothing
It contains the following ingredients:

Peppermint Oil Bo He   57.30%
Baikal Skullcap Root Huang Qin         0.58
Chinese Licorice Gan Cao                   0.32
Cinnamon Oil Gui Pi                            0.32
Dragon’s Blood Resin Xue Jie             2.07
Tea Oil Oleum Camelliae  39.41