Resolve (AI)™

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TCM herbal formula for infection and inflammation with swelling — anti-infective (antibacterial and antiviral); anti-inflammatory; antitumor and antiproliferative; antipyretic; analgesic; clears heat and detoxifies; reduces swelling and promotes discharge of pus; invigorates blood circulation and relieves pain

⚠️ Contraindicated in cases of yin-type (deep-rooted) furuncles or carbuncles where the appearance is grayish dark with no signs of redness or pain. Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Use with caution in cases of Spleen qi deficiency or yang deficiency with coldness of the extremities. Not designed for long-term use — discontinue when desired effects are achieved. Acute appendicitis is still better treated with surgery to avoid rupture of the appendix. Contains Dang Gui Wei (Extremitas 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.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Infection and inflammation with swelling: goiter, lymphedema, hemorrhoids, intestinal polyps, tonsillitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, infected lesions, dermatological swellings, mastitis, sinusitis, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, and thrombophlebitis

* Hardness and nodules: any type of swelling, mass, enlargement, hardness, nodule, scrofula, boil, carbuncle, goiter, sore, lump, furuncle, abscess, polyp, hordeolum, or hard-seated lesion in the body that may or may not have accompanying pus, pain, or heat sensations

* Lymphatic blockage: drains the lymphatic system to clear stagnation and treat lymph edema

Background: Nodules and hardness are general terms describing many different types of infectious and inflammatory disorders — sores, abscesses, boils, carbuncles, goiter, lymphedema, mastitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, infected lesions, dermatological swellings, and many others. Though these conditions may have different etiology, they are all characterized by swelling, inflammation, and possible infection. Resolve (AI) has excellent anti-infective and anti-inflammatory effects to resolve various nodules and hardnesses. From TCM perspectives, it clears heat, eliminates toxins, reduces swelling, and invigorates blood circulation. It can be used as a primary formula or as an adjunct to treat various conditions due to infection and inflammation characterized by the formation of hardness, nodules, and swelling.

Clinical notes: The primary effect of Resolve (AI) is to reduce inflammation and swelling to soften hardness and nodules. Though it contains herbs with anti-infective effects, use of this formula alone may not be sufficient in treating acute infection with inflammation such as tonsillitis or sinusitis — another formula with heat-clearing, anti-infective actions should be added to potentiate its effect. Inflammation of the lymphatic system will often cause subcutaneous formation of hardness and nodules, which can be effectively treated with Resolve (AI). For hardness and nodules without signs of infection or inflammation, herbs must be taken continuously for a few months to slowly dissolve and disperse the nodules and hardened tissues.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae / Honeysuckle / Lonicera Japonica): indispensable anti-inflammatory herb for toxic heat accumulation; broad-spectrum antibacterial — inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Diplococcus meningitidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis; anti-inflammatory and antipyretic

— Zhe Bei Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii / Fritillaria Thunberg Bulb): penetrates the channels; softens hardness; expels phlegm accumulation

— Xia Ku Cao (Spica Prunellae / Prunella / Self-Heal Spike): penetrates the channels; softens hardness; expels phlegm; marked effectiveness treating lipoma in animals; antibacterial — inhibits Shigella, Salmonella typhi, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus, and dermatophytes

— Kun Bu (Thallus Eckloniae / Ecklonia / Kelp / Seaweed): penetrates the channels; softens hardness; expels phlegm accumulation

— Zao Jiao (Fructus Gleditsiae / Gleditsia Fruit): drains pus; anticancer — inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, solid tumors, and leukemia cell lines; mechanism: apoptosis, telomerase inhibition, antiangiogenesis, and suppression of COX-2 expression

— Zao Jiao Ci (Spina Gleditsiae / Gleditsia Spine / Gleditsia Thorn): drains pus; significant anticancer effect without negative side effects — ERK1/2, G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest, p53 expression; inhibits human colon cancer cells

— Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae / Angelica Dahurica): drains pus; potent anti-inflammatory; antitumor — significant dose-dependent inhibition of many cultured human tumor cells in vitro; antibacterial — inhibits E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Bacillus proteus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis, and Shigella

— Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae / Saposhnikovia / Siler): dispels lingering wind in the channels; reduces superficial swelling; antibacterial — inhibits Shigella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus; antiviral — inhibits influenza viruses; strong antiproliferative properties against several human tumor cell lines

— Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum / Frankincense / Olibanum): invigorates blood circulation; disperses stagnation; relieves pain; supports regeneration and healing

— Mo Yao (Myrrha / Myrrh Resin): invigorates blood circulation; disperses stagnation; relieves pain; antiproliferative and antineoplastic effects against eight cancer cell lines

— Dang Gui Wei (Extremitas Radix Angelicae Sinensis / Angelica Sinensis Tail): invigorates blood circulation; disperses stagnation; relieves pain; anti-inflammatory and analgesic — approximately 1.1× stronger than aspirin to reduce inflammation and 1.7× stronger to relieve pain

— Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubrae / Red Peony Root): invigorates blood circulation; disperses stagnation; relieves pain; supports regeneration and healing

— Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae / Tangerine Peel / Citrus): regulates qi; dispels phlegm; synergistic effect with blood-invigorating herbs to soften hardness and relieve pain; anti-inflammatory — decreases permeability of blood vessels associated with inflammation or allergy

— Tong Cao (Medulla Tetrapanacis / Tetrapanax Pith): drains and expels dampness through urination

— Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae / Licorice Root / Glycyrrhiza): detoxification; harmonizes the formula; one of the most potent anti-inflammatory herbs — stimulates production of glucocorticoids and slows their breakdown; glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid anti-inflammatory effect approximately 1/10th that of cortisone; treats inflammation, edema, granuloma formation, and edematous arthritis

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Anti-infective / antibacterial — Jin Yin Hua (broad spectrum: Staph, Strep, E. coli, TB, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Vibrio, Diplococcus); Bai Zhi (E. coli, Bacillus, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, TB, Shigella); Fang Feng (Shigella, Pseudomonas, Staph); Xia Ku Cao (Shigella, Salmonella, E. coli, Pseudomonas, TB, Strep, dermatophytes)

* Antiviral — Fang Feng (influenza)

* Anti-inflammatory / antipyretic — Jin Yin Hua (anti-inflammatory, antipyretic); Bai Zhi (potent anti-inflammatory); Chen Pi (blood vessel permeability↓); Dang Gui Wei (1.1× aspirin inflammation); Gan Cao (glucocorticoid↑, 1/10 cortisone)

* Analgesic — Dang Gui Wei (1.7× aspirin pain relief); Ru Xiang, Mo Yao, Chi Shao (pain relief, stagnation dispersal)

* Antitumor / antiproliferative — Xia Ku Cao (lipoma); Bai Zhi (human tumor cells in vitro); Fang Feng (antiproliferative, tumor cell lines); Mo Yao (8 cancer cell lines); Zao Jiao (esophageal SCC, solid tumors, leukemia, COX-2, apoptosis, telomerase, antiangiogenesis); Zao Jiao Ci (colon cancer, ERK1/2, G2/M arrest, p53)

* Lymphatic / diuretic — Tong Cao (dampness expulsion via urination); Kun Bu, Zhe Bei Mu, Xia Ku Cao (phlegm expulsion, channel penetration)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Clears heat and detoxifies (Jin Yin Hua, Gan Cao)

* Reduces swelling and promotes discharge of pus (Zao Jiao, Zao Jiao Ci, Bai Zhi)

* Softens hardness and expels phlegm (Zhe Bei Mu, Xia Ku Cao, Kun Bu, Chen Pi)

* Invigorates blood circulation and relieves pain (Ru Xiang, Mo Yao, Dang Gui Wei, Chi Shao)

* Dispels wind and reduces superficial swelling (Fang Feng)

* Drains dampness through urination (Tong Cao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 3–4 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach. For maximum effectiveness, take up to 6–8 capsules three times daily with two tall glasses of warm water. Herbs may be taken with meals if they cause upset on an empty stomach. Not for long-term use — discontinue when desired effects are achieved.

Supplementary formulas: Enhance antiviral effect — add Herbal AVR. Enhance antibacterial effect — add Herbal ABX. Underlying damp and phlegm from Spleen qi deficiency — add Pinellia Complex. Tonsillitis — add Herbal ENT. High blood pressure and fast heart rate from excess fire — add Gardenia Complex. Nasal polyps or sinusitis — add Magnolia Clear Sinus or Pueraria Clear Sinus. Mastitis — add Resolve (Upper). Goiter from hyperthyroidism — add Thyrodex. Goiter from hypothyroidism — add Thyro-forte. Constipation — add Gentle Lax (Excess). Endometriosis — add Resolve (Lower). Prostate enlargement — add P-Support. Lymphatic drainage — add Circulation (SJ). Herpes or shingles — add Gentiana Complex or Dermatrol (HZ). Joint enlargement from inflammation — add Flex (Heat). Gout — add Flex (GT). Water retention — add Herbal DRX. Chronic stubborn swelling with blood stagnation — add Circulation (SJ). Weepy skin conditions — add Dermatrol (Damp). Dry skin conditions — add Dermatrol (Dry). Non-healing open sores from qi deficiency — add Immune+.

Nutrition: Refrain from spicy, greasy, fried foods, BBQ, canned foods, fermented or dairy products, seafood, alcohol, duck, or internal organs during treatment. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. For tonsillitis, gargle with salt water for one minute twice daily. Avoid all foods containing sugar (cake, dessert, candy, chocolate, canned juice, soft drinks, caffeine, stevia, agave, xylitol, corn syrup). Avoid raw or uncooked meats (sashimi, sushi, steak tartar). Minimize cooling foods: tofu, tomato, celery, asparagus, bamboo, seaweed, kelp, bitter melon, cucumber, eggplant, winter melon, watermelon, citrus, banana, papaya, white radish — the cooling property can be neutralized by cooking or adding 20 pieces of Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii). Avoid carbohydrates like white rice and bread (produce dampness). No shellfish (crabs, oyster, scallops, clams, lobster, shrimp — enter the yangming Stomach channel). No fermented foods, dairy, lamb, beef, goose, or duck. Avoid fried or greasy foods. Avoid mango and durian (produce heat). Avoid stimulants: coffee, alcohol, energy drinks. Avoid spicy/pungent/aromatic vegetables: pepper, garlic, onions, basil, rosemary, cumin, fennel, anise, leeks, chives, scallions, thyme, saffron, wormwood, mustard, chili pepper, wasabi. Avoid artificial coloring. Minimize meat; avoid processed meats (lunch meats, hot dogs, sausages contain nitrites associated with inflammation).

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease): Lumps, nodules, and tumors — make tea from seaweed, peach kernel, and green orange peels to take internally; externally, make poultice of seaweed, ginger, and dandelion and apply locally. Swollen lymph glands, nodules, scrofula, goiter, and tuberculosis — dry taro root, grind to powder; take equal parts water chestnuts and jellyfish and boil into tea; mix liquid with taro root powder; roll into pills the size of mung beans; take two tablespoons three times daily with warm water.

Lifestyle: Mild exercise is recommended to help with qi and blood circulation. Individuals with dermatological swellings should avoid heavy exercise that induces sweating, as it may delay healing of sores on the skin. Do not scratch lesions — to avoid contraction of infection and formation of scars. When boils or cysts break and are draining, keep the local area clean to prevent infection spreading to other parts of the body. After handling a boil, wash hands thoroughly to avoid transferring infection to other areas.

CASE STUDIES

— 29-year-old female (M.I.): Pus-filled sores on scalp for one week — white pus, 3–4 mm width, pain, slight itching, fever, unknown cause; seborrheic dermatitis (capiti); blood heat with wind dryness. Resolve (AI) + Herbal ABX, 3 capsules 3x/day. Result at 3 days: inflammation and sores reduced. Result at 1 week: sores completely resolved.

— 56-year-old female (J.V.): Diabetic, overweight; sores in genital region affected by blood sugar levels; wind and damp-heat. Resolve (AI) + Herbal ABX, 4 capsules 3x/day. Result: greatly reduced sores and alleviated discomfort; kept combination on hand as ongoing management — always effective when needed.

— 44-year-old female marathon runner (F.T.): Baker’s cyst on left knee, 4 cm diameter by MRI; pain and swelling limiting walking and running; qi and blood stagnation in channels, heat toxin, phlegm accumulation. Resolve (AI) + Flex (NP), 3g 3x/day at 2:1 ratio. Result at 1 month: cyst almost completely resolved; able to resume long-distance running. Patient also eliminated coffee and adopted anti-inflammatory diet during treatment.

— 52-year-old female (L.L.): Body aches, leg swelling, low-grade fever, sore throat, low energy; Lyme’s disease; thin weak pulse, pale dull tongue with thin white coating; general qi and blood stagnation with Spleen qi deficiency. Resolve (AI) + Flex (NP) + acupuncture + lymphatic massage. Result: energy increased, pain lessened, sore throat resolved.

— 34-year-old male (B.S.): Fullness in head from middle ear condition; no objective ENT findings; phlegm fluid retention in upper jaw obstructing orifices. Magnolia Clear Sinus + Resolve (AI) + Circulation (SJ). Result: immediate relief of headaches after taking Resolve (AI); pain returned — believed to be structural/mechanical blockage requiring further attention.

— 45-year-old female (D.C.): Right elbow pain after cortisone injection, swollen and slightly warm; hands and feet always cold; depression after relocation; bi zheng (painful obstruction syndrome) with Liver qi stagnation. Resolve (AI) + Si Ni San (Frigid Extremities Powder) + acupuncture + homeopathic therapy. Result: elbow pain 75% better, no longer hurting steadily.

— 41-year-old female (M.S.): Allergic reaction — both eyes itchy and weeping thick yellow fluids, worsened with dust or chemicals; yin deficiency with damp-heat accumulation. Resolve (AI) + Ming Mu Di Huang Wan (Improve Vision Pill with Rehmannia). Result: 95% better; symptoms returned when herbs were stopped — continued herbal treatment.

Related Reading

Also see: Herbal ABX – for bacterial infection | Herbal AVR – for viral infection | Herbal ENT – for tonsillitis and ENT infections | Magnolia Clear Sinus – for sinusitis and nasal polyps | Pueraria Clear Sinus – for sinus congestion with yellow discharge | Resolve (Upper) – for mastitis and breast lumps | Resolve (Lower) – for endometriosis and uterine fibroids | Circulation (SJ) – for lymphatic drainage and blood stagnation | Thyrodex – for hyperthyroid goiter | Thyro-forte – for hypothyroid goiter | Gentiana Complex – for herpes | Dermatrol (HZ) – for shingles | Flex (Heat) – for joint enlargement from inflammation | Flex (GT) – for gout | Herbal DRX – for water retention and edema | Dermatrol (Damp) – for weepy skin conditions | Dermatrol (Dry) – for dry skin conditions | Immune+ – for non-healing sores and immune support | Immune Support & Inflammation Collection.

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