Osteo 8™

TCM herbal formula for osteoporosis, bone fractures, and bone weakness — osteogenic; osteoprotective; increases calcium absorption and bone mass density; angiogenic; replenishes Kidney jing (essence); tonifies Kidney yang and yin; tonifies qi and blood; promotes fracture healing and tissue regeneration

⚠️ Use with caution in patients with excess conditions or heat accumulation. Use with caution in patients with damp-heat in the lower jiao. Contains Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), which invigorates blood circulation — patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies such as Coumadin (warfarin) should use with caution or not at all due to higher risk of bleeding and bruising. The safety of Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) in individuals with hormone-dependent cancer is unclear — use with caution pending further study.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Osteoporosis with decreased bone strength, mass, and density

* Individuals with risk factors for osteoporosis — menopause, old age, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs (thyroid supplements, corticosteroids, ethanol, heparin)

* Maintenance for healthy and strong bones

* Soreness, weakness, and pain in the bones, lower back, and knees

* Inability to stand for a prolonged period of time

* Pain or soreness aggravated by weight-bearing activities

* Recovery from bone fractures and broken bones — contusions, sprains, and ligament injuries from trauma

Background: Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by a reduction of bone mass density, leading to fractures after minimal trauma. It occurs mostly in individuals between 51–75 years of age and is six times more common in women than men. Risk factors include aging, dietary habits, lifestyle, and family history. Chronic use of drugs also increases risk — thyroid supplements, corticosteroids, ethanol, tobacco, and heparin. Optimal prevention and treatment require modification to diet and exercise, and use of herbal medicine.

TCM perspective: Osteoporosis and weakness of sinews and bones result from Kidney and Liver deficiencies. The Kidney stores the jing (essence) vital for strong bones; the Liver stores blood and controls the sinews and tendons. If the Liver and Kidney are deficient, bones, sinews, and joints become weak. Treatment requires tonification of the Liver and Kidney.

Clinical notes: Osteoporosis is six times more common in women because a tremendous amount of jing (essence) is lost during pregnancy and delivery — post-menopausal osteoporosis is most common between ages 51–75, and women with more children may show signs earlier. Men lose jing with excessive sexual activity and may show Kidney deficiency signs such as hair loss, loose teeth, and weakness and soreness of the back and knees. For post-surgical recovery: take Flex (TMX) for 5–10 days after surgery to facilitate wound healing, then continue with Flex (MLT) and Osteo 8 for one month to facilitate healing of soft tissues and bones respectively.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Lu Jiao (Cornu Cervi / Deer Antler): principal herb — tonifies Kidney yang; replenishes Kidney jing (essence); nourishes blood; strengthens sinews and bones; rich in calcium and magnesium; Lu Rong (Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum) polypeptides — reverses osteoporosis and prevents bone loss; promotes mitosis; inhibits IL-1 and IL-6; researchers state it can be a therapeutic agent for postmenopausal osteoporosis

— Gu Sui Bu (Rhizoma Drynariae / Drynaria): tonifies Kidney yang; strengthens bones; heals fractures; increases calcium absorption; osteoblast proliferation and differentiation — increases ALP levels and nodule numbers without affecting osteoclast activity; promotes osteoblast maturation by regulating bone differentiation-related gene expression and defending against nitrosative stress-induced apoptosis; clinically: postmenopausal osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and periodontal disease

— Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci / Dipsacus / Teasel Root): tonifies Kidney yang; strengthens bones; heals fractures; relieves soreness, weakness, and pain; osteoblast proliferation and differentiation — increases rate of tissue regeneration of damaged bones; best paired with Gu Sui Bu for fractured bones and trauma injuries

— Gui Ban (Plastrum Testudinis / Tortoise Plastron): tonifies Kidney yin and jing (essence); fills the marrow; strengthens bones; rich in calcium and magnesium

— Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii / Lycium / Wolfberry / Goji Berry): tonifies Liver and Kidney yin; treats secondary symptoms — dizziness, dryness, blurred vision, tinnitus, thirst, and night sweats; neutral in property — nourishes without creating stagnation; combined with Gu Sui Bu and Xu Duan, results better than calcium alone for osteoporosis (researchers concluded tonifying Kidney is "optimal method for osteoporotic treatment")

— E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini / Donkey-Hide Gelatin): tonifies blood; nourishes yin; increases absorption and utilization of calcium; elevates calcium levels in the blood; essential herb in antiaging formulas

— Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng / Ginseng): tonifies qi; angiogenic — promotes blood vessel formation, invigorates blood circulation, facilitates wound healing, and enhances tissue regeneration (ginsenoside Rg1 and Re)

— Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis / Angelica Sinensis / Dong Quai): tonifies blood and qi; osteogenic — enhances osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, hyaluronic acid deposition, and bone regeneration; directly stimulates type I collagen synthesis and proliferation of osteoprecursor cells in a dose-dependent manner; angiogenic — promotes blood vessel formation, wound healing, and tissue regeneration

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Osteogenic — Dang Gui (osteoblast proliferation↑, type I collagen↑, hyaluronic acid↑); Gu Sui Bu (osteoblast ALP↑, nodules↑, BMD↑); Xu Duan (osteoblast proliferation↑, differentiation↑); Lu Jiao / Lu Rong (mitosis↑, IL-1↓, IL-6↓)

* Osteoprotective / increases bone mass density — Gu Sui Bu (BMD↑, postmenopausal osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, periodontal disease); Gui Ban + Lu Jiao (rich in calcium and magnesium)

* Increases calcium absorption and utilization — Gu Sui Bu (calcium absorption↑); E Jiao (calcium absorption↑, blood calcium↑); Lu Jiao + Gui Ban (calcium and magnesium source)

* Angiogenic — Ren Shen (ginsenoside Rg1, Re — blood vessel formation↑, wound healing↑, tissue regeneration↑); Dang Gui (angiogenic — HUVEC and zebrafish models)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Replenishes Kidney jing (essence); tonifies Kidney yang (Lu Jiao, Gu Sui Bu, Xu Duan)

* Tonifies Kidney yin and jing; fills marrow; strengthens bones (Gui Ban, Gou Qi Zi, E Jiao)

* Tonifies Liver and Kidney yin; treats secondary deficiency symptoms (Gou Qi Zi)

* Tonifies qi and blood; promotes overall wellness (Ren Shen, Dang Gui)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. Prevention (higher risk): 2 capsules daily.

Supplementary formulas: Low back and knee soreness and pain — use with Back Support (CR). Neck and shoulder pain — use with Neck & Shoulder (CR). Arm pain — add Arm Support. Bone spurs — add Flex (SPR). Hot arthritis with redness, swelling, and burning — use with Flex (Heat). Cold arthritis worsening in cold and rain — use with Flex (CD). Gout — add Flex (GT). Bone fractures — use with Flex (TMX). Fracture recovery with soft tissue injuries — use with Flex (MLT). Fatigue and overall deficiency — use with Imperial Tonic. Menopause with hot flashes and night sweats — use with Balance (Heat). Menopause with dryness or yin deficiency — use with Nourish. Vaginal dryness — add Balance Spring. Menopause with irritability and insomnia — use with Calm, Calm ZZZ, or Calm (ES). Hair loss or premature gray hair — use with Polygonum 14. Blood deficiency, insomnia, and excessive dreams — use with Schisandra ZZZ. Kidney yang deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yang). Kidney yin deficiency — add Kidney Tonic (Yin). Visual disturbances, blurriness, redness, or pain — add Lycium Support.

Nutrition: Consume sufficient calcium from diet or high-quality supplements — ensure the supplement breaks down and absorbs properly; most effective when combined with vitamin D and other minerals. Note: caffeine, fat, excess dietary fiber, alcohol, cocoa (chocolate), and excessive protein impede calcium absorption. Consume foods rich in plant estrogen such as soybeans and yam. Oxtail, ox neck, or bone-based soup with tomato and ginger is highly recommended.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Make hummus with black beans and goat milk yogurt — eat as a snack between meals regularly.

Lifestyle: Stop drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and limit sexual activities to prevent loss of jing (essence). Patients with osteoporosis have higher risk of bone fractures — refrain from activities with high risk of injury such as lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise. Walking, tai chi chuan, qi gong, and other mild exercises are recommended to strengthen bones and joints without increased injury risk — weight-bearing exercise is especially effective for improving bone strength.

CASE STUDIES

— 49-year-old female practitioner of Oriental medicine: Family history of osteoporosis (grandmother and mother — ankle fracture, 3 inches height loss); blood deficiency without visible bone loss. Osteo 8 3–6 capsules/day + calcium/magnesium/potassium supplement + aerobic exercise with weights 3x/week + reduced high-fat foods + no caffeine. Result: BMD increased from 0.448 (baseline 9/19/01) to 0.7 (1/16/02) in 4 months — improved from "low normal" to "low risk"; practitioner commented the "increase in bone density was remarkable."

— 68-year-old female (B.D.): Sought natural alternative to Evista (raloxifene); thin and pale; family history of osteoporosis; slightly low BMD; Kidney qi, jing, yin, and yang deficiencies. Osteo 8 2 capsules/day. Result: after 1 year — bone density tested normal; repeated test 1 year later — still normal; medical doctor "quite impressed." [Note: sensitive stomach — started at 4 capsules/day, reduced to 2 due to GI discomfort.]

— 48-year-old female (C.M.): Joint pain (hands, feet, knees) worsening in cold and rainy weather; family history of arthritis and osteoporosis; tendonitis both forearms; decreased ROM; calcification of finger joints; rheumatoid arthritis (Western); cold and damp obstruction (TCM). Osteo 8 + Flex (CD) 4 capsules each 2x/day. Result within 1 day: symptoms began improving; after 1 week: joints and tendons not stiff, almost pain-free; symptoms improved even during winter; symptoms returned when herbs stopped.

Related Reading

Also see: Flex (TMX) – for bone fractures and acute trauma | Flex (MLT) – for muscle, ligament, and tendon recovery | Flex (CD) – for cold-type arthritis | Flex (Heat) – for hot arthritis | Flex (SPR) – for bone spurs | Back Support (CR) – for chronic low back and knee pain | Kidney Tonic (Yang) – for Kidney yang deficiency | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for Kidney yin deficiency | Nourish – for yin deficiency and menopause dryness | Balance (Heat) – for menopausal hot flashes | Imperial Tonic – for fatigue and overall deficiency | Polygonum 14 – for hair loss and premature gray hair | Pain Relief & Musculoskeletal Support Collection.