LPS Support™

TCM herbal formula for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — joint inflammation, skin rash, facial rash, mouth sores, fever, fatigue, hair loss, anemia, photosensitivity, and organ dysfunction (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, nervous system) — clears heat; eliminates toxins; nourishes yin; tonifies blood; generates body fluids; activates blood circulation; eliminates blood stasis; suppresses autoimmune cell proliferation; anti-inflammatory; antiallergic; immunomodulatory. Addresses both the excess (inflammatory) and deficiency (underlying weakness) aspects of lupus.

⚠️ This formula contains many bitter and cold herbs — if the patient shows signs of qi or yin deficiency, add supplementary formulas to strengthen the underlying constitution (see Supplementary Formulas below). Qi tonic herbs that stimulate the immune system, such as Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) and Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng), should be used with caution in autoimmune conditions — use only based on differential diagnosis. Up to 10% of lupus cases are drug-induced (New England Journal of Medicine) — avoid Apresoline (hydralazine), Procan (procainamide), and isoniazid; certain birth control pills may also trigger lupus flare-ups. Lupus is a complicated disorder — additional formulas are often needed to address related symptoms and complications.

TCM pattern differentiation: Young girls with lupus typically show excess heat in the blood level. Middle-aged women with lupus typically exhibit chronic low-grade fever with exacerbation upon exertion, tidal fever, flushed cheeks, petechiae spots on skin, leg and heel pain, weakness of the limbs, night sweats, hair loss, and thready rapid pulse — indicating Kidney yin deficiency with heat. Optimal treatment requires herbs to address both the excess (inflammatory) and deficiency (underlying weakness) aspects simultaneously.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

§ Lupus with inflammation in joints, tendons, and other connective tissues and organs

§ Lupus with arthritis, mouth sores, skin rash, facial rash, hair loss, depression, fever, sunlight sensitivity, extreme fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain and weakness, anemia, malar flush, headache, general malaise, and in severe cases, destruction of vital organs

* Autoimmune diseases with manifestations of heat and fire

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks many parts of the body — heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system — resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. Clinical signs and symptoms include malar rash, discoid rash, photosensitivity, oral ulcers, arthritis, serositis, leukopenia, renal disorder, and neurological disorder. The exact cause is unknown in Western medicine — treatment is mainly focused on relieving symptoms and preventing relapse. Lupus is complicated because symptoms and severity differ drastically from person to person, ranging from mild to disabling to fatal.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Bai Hua She She Cao (Herba Hedyotis / Hedyotis / Oldenlandia): inhibits and suppresses growth and multiplication of cells — addresses the autoimmune aspect of lupus by controlling the underlying cause of illness

— Ban Zhi Lian (Herba Scutellariae Barbatae / Barbat Skullcap / Scutellaria Barbata): inhibits and suppresses growth and multiplication of cells — addresses the autoimmune aspect of lupus

— Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae / Honeysuckle Flower): significant anti-inflammatory effect — luteolin suppresses inflammatory mediators by blocking NF-κB and MAPKs activation pathways; mechanism: inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and 5-lipoxygenase activities; clears heat; eliminates toxins

— Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae / Forsythia Fruit): significant anti-inflammatory effect — inhibits COX-2, iNOS, and 5-lipoxygenase; clinical study: used in herbal formula to effectively treat nephropathy; clears heat; eliminates toxins

— Ye Ju Hua (Flos Chrysanthemi Indici / Wild Chrysanthemum Flower): marked anti-inflammatory effect for acute and chronic immune-related cutaneous inflammations — inhibits nitric oxide, prostaglandin E(2), TNF-α, and IL-1β; suppresses NF-κB and MAPKs; immunomodulatory — modulates humoral and cellular immunity; clears heat; eliminates toxins

— Hu Zhang (Rhizoma et Radix Polygoni Cuspidati / Japanese Knotweed / Polygonum Cuspidatum): clears heat; eliminates toxins; anti-inflammatory

— Tao Ren (Semen Persicae / Peach Seed): anti-inflammatory and antiallergic — reduces histamine release from mast cells; activates blood circulation; eliminates blood stasis; delivers formula to affected parts of the body

— Hong Hua (Flos Carthami / Safflower / Carthamus): anti-inflammatory — induces heme oxygenase-1 expression; activates blood circulation; eliminates blood stasis; relieves pain; delivers formula to affected parts of the body

— Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan / Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Root Bark): significant anti-inflammatory — suppresses histamine release and prostaglandin D(2) synthesis from mast cells; clears heat; cools blood

— Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae / Rehmannia): anti-inflammatory and antiallergic — suppresses expression of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules; clinical study: 23 patients with rheumatoid arthritis — success; clinical study: 37 patients with skin disorders (rashes, urticaria, contact dermatitis) — success; nourishes yin; tonifies blood; generates body fluids

— Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae / Anemarrhena Rhizome): clears heat; cools blood; clinical study: used in herbal formula to treat 56 patients with acute-onset rheumatism — 71.4% effectiveness

— Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae / Scrophularia / Figwort Root): clears heat; cools blood; nourishes yin; generates body fluids

— Mo Han Lian (Herba Ecliptae / Eclipta / False Daisy): nourishes yin; tonifies blood

— Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubrae / Red Peony Root): clears heat; cools blood; activates blood circulation; eliminates blood stasis

— Ji Xiang Teng (Caulis Paederiae / Paederia Stem / Skunkvine): relieves pain

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Suppresses autoimmune cell proliferation — Bai Hua She She Cao + Ban Zhi Lian (inhibits and suppresses growth and multiplication of cells — controls underlying autoimmune cause)

* Anti-inflammatory (multiple mechanisms) — Jin Yin Hua + Lian Qiao (COX-2↓, iNOS↓, 5-lipoxygenase↓, NF-κB↓, MAPKs↓); Ye Ju Hua (nitric oxide↓, PGE2↓, TNF-α↓, IL-1β↓, NF-κB↓, MAPKs↓; acute and chronic immune cutaneous inflammation); Tao Ren (histamine release from mast cells↓); Hong Hua (heme oxygenase-1↑); Mu Dan Pi (histamine↓, prostaglandin D(2)↓ from mast cells); Di Huang (cytokines↓, chemokines↓, adhesion molecules↓)

* Antiallergic — Tao Ren (histamine release↓); Di Huang (cytokines↓, chemokines↓, adhesion molecules↓)

* Immunomodulatory — Ye Ju Hua (humoral and cellular immunity)

* Clinical outcomes — Di Huang (23 patients rheumatoid arthritis; 37 patients skin disorders); Zhi Mu (56 patients acute-onset rheumatism: 71.4% effective); Lian Qiao (nephropathy)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Clears heat; cools blood (Di Huang, Chi Shao, Mu Dan Pi, Zhi Mu, Xuan Shen)

* Eliminates toxins; clears toxic heat (Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Hu Zhang, Ye Ju Hua, Bai Hua She She Cao, Ban Zhi Lian)

* Nourishes yin; tonifies blood; generates body fluids (Di Huang, Mo Han Lian, Xuan Shen, Mu Dan Pi)

* Activates blood circulation; eliminates blood stasis; relieves pain (Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Chi Shao, Ji Xiang Teng)

DOSAGE

Standard: 4–6 capsules three times daily. For acute recurrences, increase to 6 capsules four times daily.

Supplementary formulas: Facial or skin rash — add Silerex or Dermatrol (PS). Mouth sores — use Lonicera Complex as a mouthwash and gargle for 5 minutes three times daily. Arthritis — add Flex (Heat) or Flex (CD). Nerve dysfunction — add Flex (NP). Kidney dysfunction or scanty yellow urination — add Kidney DTX. Low white or red blood cell count — add Imperial Tonic. Exterior wind-heat condition — add Lonicera Complex. Cough — add Respitrol (CF). Constipation — add Gentle Lax (Excess) or Gentle Lax (Deficient). High fever — add Gardenia Complex. Thirst, dry eyes and mouth — add Nourish (Fluids). Kidney yin deficiency with chronic low-grade fever, flushed cheeks, body pain, purpura — add Balance (Heat) + Nourish. Intermittent pulse, palpitation, anemia, pale complexion — add Schisandra ZZZ. Kidney yang deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yang). Kidney yin deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yin). Back pain — add Back Support (AC) or Back Support (CR). Jaundice — add Yin Chen Hao Tang (Artemisia Scoparia Decoction).

Nutrition: Adequate calcium and magnesium intake is important for pH balance and protection against bone loss. L-cysteine, L-methionine, and L-lysine are important for skin formation and cellular protection and preservation. Diet low in fat, salt, and animal protein is less stressful to the kidneys and keeps the immune system from becoming overly reactive. Foods containing sulfur — eggs, garlic, and onions — are essential for repair and rebuilding of bones, cartilage, and connective tissues. Recommended foods: barley, mung bean, mushrooms, lotus nodes, honey, soybeans and soy products, and duck. Avoid caffeine, citrus fruits, salt, tobacco, and foods containing sugar. Raw, cold, greasy, and salty foods are contraindicated.

Lifestyle: Get adequate rest and exercise regularly to promote muscle tone and fitness. Use hypoallergenic soaps, lotions, and cosmetics.

Related Reading

Also see: Silerex – for skin rash | Dermatrol (PS) – for skin rash | Lonicera Complex – for mouth sores and wind-heat | Flex (Heat) – for arthritis with heat | Flex (CD) – for arthritis with cold and damp | Flex (NP) – for nerve dysfunction | Kidney DTX – for kidney dysfunction | Imperial Tonic – for low blood cell count and deficiency | Gardenia Complex – for high fever | Balance (Heat) – for Kidney yin deficiency with heat | Nourish – for yin deficiency | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for Kidney yin deficiency | Kidney Tonic (Yang) – for Kidney yang deficiency | Schisandra ZZZ – for anemia and palpitation | Immune Support & Inflammation Collection.