Symmetry™

TCM herbal formula for Bell's palsy, facial paralysis, TMJ pain, and trigeminal neuralgia — neurological benefits for facial paralysis and trigeminal neuralgia; analgesic; anti-inflammatory; antiseizure and antiepileptic; releases exterior wind; opens channels and collaterals; activates qi and blood circulation

⚠️ Strong and potent formula containing herbs considered slightly toxic in TCM — dosage must be prescribed carefully according to age, body weight, and severity of condition. Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Use with extreme caution in pediatric and geriatric patients, and only when benefits outweigh risks. Contains Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) — 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

* Bell's palsy

* Facial paralysis

* TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain

* Trigeminal neuralgia

* Migraine headache due to wind, phlegm, and blood stagnation

* Post-stroke sequelae, such as twitching of muscles

Background: Bell's palsy, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, and TMJ disorder are complicated neurological disorders affecting the head region. They affect different cranial nerves in the face and head, leading to numbness, pain, and loss of sensory or musculoskeletal functions. In TCM, these conditions are characterized by wind attacking the channels and collaterals in the facial regions, leading to blocked circulation of qi and blood — resulting in severe pain, numbness, loss of muscle tone, and paralysis of the muscles. Symmetry is formulated based on Qian Zheng San (Lead to Symmetry Powder), a classic formula that treats deviation of the eyes and mouth by restoring symmetry of the face.

Prognosis: Excellent if treatment begins within 3 months from onset; positive within 1 year; hopeful within 3 years. Early and aggressive treatment with both acupuncture and herbs achieves maximum results — time delay before treatment only decreases the overall success rate.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Bai Fu Zi (Rhizoma Typhonii / Typhonium Rhizome): dispels wind; eliminates phlegm obstruction; treats numbness and pain of the facial nerves with good success

— Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus / Stiff Silkworm): dispels wind; eliminates phlegm; antiseizure; antiepileptic

— Quan Xie (Scorpio / Scorpion): dispels interior Liver wind; antiseizure; antiepileptic

— Wu Gong (Scolopendra / Centipede): dispels interior Liver wind; antiseizure; antiepileptic; very little toxicity in mice studies

— Bai Fu Zi + Jiang Can + Quan Xie (three principal herbs): together these three herbs have shown remarkable results across numerous clinical studies — acupuncture + herbs successfully treated 52 of 60 patients with facial paralysis; 95% effective rate in 88 patients with facial paralysis (2 days to 1 year treatment); 98% effective rate in 50 patients with facial paralysis (complete recovery in 44, significant improvement in 3, moderate improvement in 2); 94.2% effective rate in 52 patients with trigeminal neuralgia; 92% effective rate in 25 patients with stubborn migraine headache

— Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis / Corydalis / Yanhusuo): analgesic — treats pain of various origins; potency comparable to morphine

— Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae / Angelica Dahurica): analgesic; anti-inflammatory; antispasmodic; most effective for treating headache

— Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis / Angelica Sinensis / Dong Quai): tonifies blood in channels and collaterals; treats underlying deficiency; analgesic and anti-inflammatory for migraine headache — potency comparable to acetylsalicylic acid

— Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong / Chuanxiong / Ligusticum): activates qi and blood circulation; relieves pain; headache — 95.1% success rate; vascular headache — 96.3% rate of effectiveness; trigeminal nerve pain — 90.6% rate of effectiveness; trigeminal neuralgia

— Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae / Saposhnikovia / Siler): releases exterior wind

— Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae / Schizonepeta): releases exterior wind

— Si Gua Luo (Retinervus Luffae Fructus / Luffa Vegetable Sponge): opens the peripheral channels and collaterals

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Neurological / facial paralysis — Bai Fu Zi + Jiang Can + Quan Xie (52/60, 95%, 98%, 94.2%, 92% across multiple studies); Chuan Xiong (headache 95.1%, vascular headache 96.3%, trigeminal nerve pain 90.6%)

* Analgesic — Yan Hu Suo (morphine-comparable, pain of various origins); Bai Zhi (headache); Dang Gui (migraine, aspirin-comparable); Chuan Xiong (headache, trigeminal pain)

* Anti-inflammatory — Bai Zhi, Dang Gui (anti-inflammatory effects)

* Antiseizure / antiepileptic — Jiang Can, Quan Xie, Wu Gong (post-stroke sequelae, nerve-related pain, very little toxicity)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Releases exterior wind (Fang Feng, Bai Zhi, Jing Jie)

* Dispels interior Liver wind; eliminates phlegm obstruction (Bai Fu Zi, Jiang Can, Quan Xie, Wu Gong)

* Opens channels and collaterals (Si Gua Luo)

* Activates qi and blood circulation; relieves pain (Yan Hu Suo, Chuan Xiong)

* Tonifies blood; treats underlying deficiency (Dang Gui)

DOSAGE

Standard: 4–6 capsules three times daily. Begin herbal therapy immediately on notice of the first warning signs. If necessary, increase to 8 capsules three times daily on day one to achieve faster onset of action. If herbs cause nausea or epigastric discomfort, take after meals.

Clinical notes: Early and frequent treatment of Bell's palsy ensures proper recovery. Acupuncture and moxa are extremely effective — in acute cases, receive acupuncture 3x/week; moxa on the local area for at least 20 minutes daily enhances recovery. Stress or Liver qi stagnation may be triggering factors for Bell's palsy in women — take Calm or Calm (ES) regularly as maintenance and prevention. Bell's palsy may be a prodromal sign of future stroke — after treating symptoms, transition to a formula to nourish yin or lower Liver wind to prevent future attacks. This formula is an adjunct to acupuncture — optimal results occur when acupuncture, electro-stimulation, and herbs are all included in the treatment regime.

Topical for deviation of eyes and mouth: Mix extract powder of Bai Jie Zi (Semen Sinapis) with concentrated green tea to form a paste. Apply topically to the affected area for 4–8 hours (the affected side in Bell's palsy is the side of the eye that cannot close). Repeat daily or every other day.

Topical for trigeminal neuralgia: Grind Ma Qian Zi (Semen Strychni) 30g, Zhi Chuan Wu (Radix Aconiti Praeparata) 15g, Zhi Cao Wu (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii Praeparata) 15g, Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum) 15g, and Mo Yao (Myrrha) 15g into fine powder; mix with oil to form a paste. Apply a small amount topically to acupuncture points around the affected area: Taiyang, Xiaguan (ST 7), and Jiache (ST 6). Note: These five herbs must be used topically only — internal ingestion may be toxic.

Supplementary formulas: Post-stroke with mental and physical deterioration — combine with Neuro Plus. Severe nerve pain — combine with Flex (NP). Severe and acute migraine — combine with Corydalin (AC). Chronic moderate migraine from blood deficiency — combine with Corydalin (CR). Neck and shoulder pain — add Neck & Shoulder (AC). Excessive stress — add Calm or Calm (ES). Postpartum Bell's palsy with qi and blood deficiency — add Imperial Tonic. High blood pressure or stroke prevention — add Gastrodia Complex or Gentiana Complex.

Nutrition: Consume adequate amounts of vegetables for vitamins A, B₁, B₂, C, and E. Eat a diverse diet including raw fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds — B vitamins are important to maintain nerve health. Avoid cold and icy foods and beverages, fried, smoked, or barbecued foods. Stop smoking and avoid alcohol. Avoid all aluminum products (antacids, cookware, aluminum foil, certain foods) — drinking steam-distilled water has a chelating effect to remove unwanted aluminum from the body.

Lifestyle: Exercise daily and maintain a positive, hopeful outlook. Regular workout and deep breathing exercises oxygenate the blood and improve circulation to facilitate recovery. When recovering from stroke or Bell's palsy, engage in regular mild exercises such as walking and tai chi chuan (tai ji quan). Avoid exposure to wind and cold — biking and direct exposure to fans or air conditioning is strictly prohibited during recovery.

CASE STUDIES

— 33-year-old male (B.T.): Bell's palsy on left facial area — no forehead wrinkles, could close left eye with effort (wore eye patch at night), unable to lift left angle of mouth or smile; recently installed air conditioner, increased stress; wind invasion and Liver qi stagnation; ER treated with prednisone and Zovirax (acyclovir). Symmetry. Result at 3 treatments / 5 days: able to close eye comfortably without eye patch; able to raise left angle of mouth; forehead wrinkle 30% of normal.

— 44-year-old male: Bell's palsy right side, 1 week duration; left frontal headache, fatigue, stress; unable to pucker lips, smile, or close/blink right eye; ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke ruled out; wind phlegm and damp obstructing channels. Symmetry 6 capsules 3x/day (3 bottles) + acupuncture 4x/week + smokeless moxa right side. Result after first acupuncture: mouth improving, able to smile. Result at 11 days: 70% improvement — pucker and facial dimples returned, no longer needed to tape eye closed at night.

— 54-year-old female (S.H.): Acute numbness of tongue, pain, inability to close mouth; drooping eyes and lips, affected smile, tenderness left nostril; mother died at same age from stroke; bikes to work in wind, stressful job; wiry pulse, deviated tongue with thick greasy coating; exterior wind attack blocking channels; Bell's palsy with one-sided facial paralysis. Symmetry for 2 weeks. Result: returned to pre-stroke condition after just 2 weeks.

— 75-year-old male (M.H.): Fatigue, overworked, recent mini-stroke (unable to walk for 24 hours); tongue slightly deviated left, deep slippery pulse; Spleen and Kidney yang deficiencies; 6mm lesion in pons medulla. Symmetry + Neuro Plus. Result: less confused, more focused, able to walk again without struggle; continued herbs for 5 months to maintain results.

— 50-year-old female: Deviation of eye and mouth on right side; yellow tongue coating, wiry fine slippery rapid pulse; wind attacking channels and collaterals with underlying deficiencies. Electro-acupuncture + modified Symmetry + topical Bai Jie Zi with concentrated green tea (applied nightly, removed in morning). Result after 3 courses: overall condition greatly improved — deviation not noticeable at rest, only slightly noticeable when laughing. Eventually reported complete recovery.

Related Reading

Also see: Neuro Plus – for post-stroke mental and physical deterioration | Flex (NP) – for severe nerve pain | Corydalin (AC) – for severe acute migraine | Corydalin (CR) – for chronic migraine from blood deficiency | Neck & Shoulder (AC) – for neck and shoulder pain | Calm – for stress and Liver qi stagnation | Gastrodia Complex – for high blood pressure and stroke prevention | Imperial Tonic – for postpartum qi and blood deficiency | Brain Health & Neurological Support Collection | Pain Relief Collection.