A heatstroke-relieving traditional Chinese medicine composition, a preparation method thereof and application thereof

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of health food technology, specifically relating to a traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat, its preparation method, and its application. It is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 3-20 parts of agastache rugosa, 2-20 parts of elsholtzia ciliata, 5-30 parts of codonopsis pilosula, and 1-15 parts of tangerine peel. This invention employs the methods of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and treatment, relieving summer heat and exterior syndromes, aromatically resolving dampness, and regulating qi and strengthening the middle jiao, which can effectively improve or alleviate the symptoms of heatstroke in subjects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of health food technology, specifically relating to a traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Heat damage can cause a series of pathophysiological changes in the body, manifesting as a continuous process from mild to severe, including heat exhaustion, mild heatstroke, and severe heatstroke. Heatstroke is the most serious type of heat-related illness with a high mortality rate. In relevant literature describing heat-related illnesses, concepts such as "heat cramps," "heat syncope," and "heat exhaustion" are frequently used.

[0003] Heatstroke is a life-threatening clinical syndrome caused by an imbalance between heat production and dissipation due to exposure to hot environments and / or strenuous exercise. It is characterized by a core temperature exceeding 40°C and central nervous system abnormalities, such as altered mental status, seizures, or coma, often accompanied by multi-organ damage. Based on the cause and susceptible population, heatstroke is classified into classic heat stroke (CHS) and exertional heat stroke (EHS). CHS is primarily caused by high temperature and / or high humidity, usually without strenuous physical activity. Individuals with impaired thermoregulation are more susceptible, such as infants, the elderly, patients with chronic underlying diseases, those who are bedridden for extended periods, and obese individuals. The susceptibility factors for EHS vary considerably.

[0004] In recent years, my country's climate has been characterized by smaller regional temperature differences, longer durations of high temperatures, and summer high temperatures exceeding 39°C in some areas. Statistics show that the number of heatstroke cases and related deaths in my country is increasing year by year. Prodromal symptoms of heatstroke (CHS) are often difficult to detect, with symptoms worsening over 1-2 days, including confusion, delirium, and coma, with body temperature rising to 40-42°C. It is often accompanied by urinary and fecal incontinence, heart failure, and kidney failure. Excessive heatstroke (EHS) occurs after a period of high-intensity training or heavy physical labor in hot and humid environments, but some patients may also develop the disease without warning signs, suddenly collapsing or losing consciousness during exercise. Clinical manifestations can vary considerably among patients, and may even be atypical.

[0005] Traditional Chinese medicine classifies heatstroke into "yang heatstroke" and "yin heatstroke." In summer, due to the hot weather, people seek coolness by blowing in the wind or drinking excessive amounts of cold beverages, leading to a deficiency of vital energy (qi) in the body. This deficiency allows the pathogenic factors of summer heat and wind-cold (dampness) to invade and cause illness. Because it is contracted through stillness, it is called "yin heatstroke." Zhang Jiebin of the Ming Dynasty, in his *Jingyue Quanshu*, pointed out that "Yin summer heat is caused by catching a cold due to summer heat. People who fear the heat and crave coolness, failing to avoid the cold, may be in deep halls or large buildings, in windy places or under trees, or during periods of sudden heat or cold, without proper clothing and bedding. This allows cold pathogens to invade the skin, causing symptoms such as fever, headache, lack of sweating, chills, stiffness, and aches in the limbs. This is called Yin summer heat due to catching a cold in the summer months, and it is essentially a form of typhoid fever. The treatment should focus on warming and dispersing, and should be treated according to the methods for typhoid fever. Furthermore, carelessness in eating raw or cold foods can lead to internal damage from cold, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. This is also caused by catching a cold due to summer heat, but since the cold pathogen is internal, the treatment should focus on warming the middle jiao; this is also a form of Yin summer heat." He further stated, "Therefore, among those suffering from summer heat, Yang summer heat is rare, while Yin summer heat accounts for eight or nine out of ten cases." Yin summer heat is common in summer, often presenting with symptoms such as dizziness, heaviness in the body, joint pain, fatigue, chest tightness, nausea, dry mouth, bitter taste, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

[0006] The progression from heat exhaustion and mild heatstroke to heatstroke is a gradual and continuous process. Intervention should be initiated as soon as abnormalities are detected, not after a diagnosis of heatstroke is established. Once heatstroke develops, it progresses rapidly and often involves multiple organ dysfunction, while clinical treatment options are limited. Unlike other critical illnesses, heatstroke is entirely preventable. It should be emphasized that the key to reducing the mortality rate of heatstroke lies in prevention rather than treatment. Currently, Western medicine's treatment principles are to monitor body temperature, maintain fluid balance, and manage complications. Treatment methods for "yin-type heatstroke" are even more limited. Therefore, in the stages of heat exhaustion and mild heatstroke, when the TCM syndrome is classified as "yin-type heatstroke," intervention with traditional Chinese medicine can be very helpful. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat, its preparation method, and its application, so as to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat, which is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 3-20 parts of patchouli, 2-20 parts of sesame, 5-30 parts of codonopsis, and 1-15 parts of dried tangerine peel.

[0009] In this formula, Agastache rugosa is the chief ingredient, pungent and slightly warm in nature, used to relieve summer heat, resolve dampness, and stop vomiting; Elsholtzia ciliata is the assistant ingredient, slightly warm in nature, primarily used to induce sweating, relieve exterior symptoms, resolve dampness, and harmonize the middle jiao. The two ingredients work together to relieve summer heat and dispel dampness. The *Feng's Secret Records* states, "In the long, hot summer, dampness prevails, so summer heat is always accompanied by dampness, hence spontaneous sweating." Codonopsis pilosula is the adjuvant ingredient, sweet and neutral in nature, entering the spleen and lung meridians. *New Compilation of Materia Medica* states, "It tonifies the middle jiao and benefits qi, harmonizes the spleen and stomach, and relieves thirst. It is very safe to use to regulate and tonify when the middle jiao is slightly deficient." *Correct Interpretation of Materia Medica* also states, "It strengthens the middle jiao and is not much different from ginseng." Tangerine peel is the guiding ingredient, pungent and fragrant, good at regulating qi and harmonizing the middle jiao, making it most suitable for qi stagnation due to cold and dampness. *Compendium of Materia Medica* states, "It treats all diseases by regulating qi and drying dampness. It tonifies when combined with tonifying herbs and purges when combined with purgative herbs." Therefore, the combination of these two components can replenish qi without causing qi stagnation, and promote qi circulation without excessively depleting qi, thus harmonizing the spleen and stomach. It is especially suitable for people suffering from summer heat and dampness due to wind-cold. This formula, by combining mild dispersing, tonifying, and regulating qi, has the effects of relieving summer heat and releasing the exterior, aromatically resolving dampness, and regulating qi and strengthening the middle jiao.

[0010] Summer temperatures are higher and the heat is more intense. With improved living conditions, people tend to indulge in cold drinks and beverages, allowing cold and dampness to invade the body during the summer, causing various discomforts and forming "yin heatstroke." Yin heatstroke is particularly common in summer, caused by the invasion of summer heat and wind-cold-dampness pathogens when the body is weak. Symptoms often include dizziness, heaviness in the body, joint pain, fatigue, chest tightness, nausea, dry mouth, bitter taste, abdominal pain, diarrhea, pale tongue, thick and greasy tongue coating, and a floating and slippery pulse. This invention uses the methods of traditional Chinese medicine to treat heatstroke by relieving summer heat, dispelling dampness, and regulating qi and strengthening the middle jiao, which can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of heatstroke in patients.

[0011] The raw materials for this formula come from the following sources:

[0012] Patchouli: The aerial parts of Pogostemincablin (Blanco) Benth. or Agatacherugosus (Fisch. et Mey) O. Ktze., plants belonging to the genus Pogostemincablin in the Lamiaceae family.

[0013] Elsholtzia: The aerial parts of *Mosla chinensis* Maxim. or *Mosla chinensis* Jiangxiangru, belonging to the genus *Mosla* of the Lamiaceae family.

[0014] Codonopsis pilosula: The root of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. (Nannf.) LT Shen, or Codonopsis tangshen Oliv., all belonging to the genus Codonopsis of the family Campanulaceae.

[0015] Dried tangerine peel: The dried, mature peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco and its cultivated varieties, belonging to the Rutaceae family and the Citrus genus.

[0016] The raw materials in the herbal composition of this invention, namely, agastache rugosa, euphorbia humifusa, codonopsis pilosula, and tangerine peel, are substances that are "both food and Chinese medicinal materials" (Notice of the Ministry of Health on Further Regulating the Management of Raw Materials for Health Foods (Health Law Supervision Document

[2002] No. 51) and Announcement on 9 Newly Added Substances, Including Codonopsis pilosula, That Are Traditionally Both Foods and Chinese Medicinal Materials (Announcement No. 9 of 2023)). All the raw materials in the formula are Chinese medicinal materials that can be used in health foods, and their sources are safe and reliable.

[0017] In some embodiments, the preferred proportions of the above-mentioned raw materials are: 5-15 parts of patchouli, 3-15 parts of euphorbia humifusa, 8-18 parts of codonopsis pilosula, and 1-10 parts of dried tangerine peel.

[0018] In some embodiments, the proportions of the above-mentioned raw materials can be further preferred as follows: 10 parts of patchouli, 5 parts of euphorbia humifusa, 10 parts of codonopsis pilosula, and 3 parts of dried tangerine peel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned heat-relieving traditional Chinese medicine composition may also include medically or food-acceptable excipients to prepare different dosage forms required by patients, facilitating use, storage and transportation, and meeting clinical and market needs; wherein the excipients used are all excipients commonly used in the prior art.

[0020] In some embodiments, the traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving heatstroke can be an oral solution, powder (such as a solid beverage), granules, etc. Among them, the tea substitute of this application is mostly taken in the form of an oral solution, which is convenient for patients to carry and take.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a method for preparing a traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat. When the contemporary tea is an oral solution, the preparation method includes the following steps:

[0022] The raw materials are soaked in water, then heated to boiling and kept at a gentle boil for 0.8-2 hours. After separation, the first decoction and the residue are obtained. Water is added to the residue, heated to boiling and kept at a gentle boil for 0.8-2 hours. After separation, the second decoction is taken. The first and second decoctions are combined to obtain an oral solution.

[0023] In some embodiments, the raw materials are added to water in 8-40 times their total weight and heated to boiling, while the dregs are added to water in 6-30 times their total weight and heated to boiling.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a method for preparing a traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat. When the tea is in powder form, the preparation method includes the following steps:

[0025] (1) Take the patchouli powder and pass it through a 10-mesh and a 50-mesh sieve at the same time. Continue to crush the coarse particles that cannot pass through the 10-mesh sieve and take the powder that is between the 10-mesh and 50-mesh sieves.

[0026] (2) Grind and sieve the herbs in step (1) respectively;

[0027] (3) Mix all the raw material powders evenly to obtain the final product.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned heat-relieving traditional Chinese medicine composition is provided for the application in the preparation of heatstroke prevention drinks, particularly for damp heatstroke or yin heatstroke.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned heat-relieving traditional Chinese medicine composition is provided for the application in the preparation of beverages that improve or alleviate heatstroke symptoms, especially damp heatstroke or yin heatstroke.

[0030] The traditional Chinese medicine composition provided by this invention, which has the functions of relieving summer heat, relieving exterior symptoms, and regulating qi and strengthening the middle jiao, can effectively alleviate symptoms such as dizziness, heaviness of the body, joint pain, fatigue, chest tightness, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth and bitter taste, abdominal pain and diarrhea, pale tongue, thick and greasy tongue coating, and floating and slippery pulse in people who are invaded by summer heat and wind-cold-dampness.

[0031] Furthermore, this invention does not focus on inducing sweating, but rather on aromatic herbs to dispel dampness and turbidity. Through the ingenious combination of agastache and euphorbia, it prevents excessive sweating caused by pungent and dispersing herbs. Codonopsis and tangerine peel are added to prevent heatstroke from damaging the spleen and stomach. This serves two purposes: firstly, to strengthen the Qi of the middle Jiao (spleen and stomach), and secondly, to prevent the recurrence of heatstroke and dampness. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, all raw materials are commercially available.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] A traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat is prepared from the following raw materials: 10 grams of agastache rugosa, 5 grams of sesame, 10 grams of codonopsis pilosula, and 3 grams of dried tangerine peel.

[0035] The above-mentioned traditional Chinese medicine composition can be prepared into an oral solution according to the following method:

[0036] Soak the raw materials in 10 times their weight of water for 30 minutes, then heat to a boil and keep simmering for 1 hour. Separate the first decoction and the residue. Take the residue obtained after the first decoction, add water equivalent to 8 times the total weight of the raw materials, heat to a boil and keep simmering for 1 hour. Separate the second decoction and the residue. Combine the first and second decoctions to obtain an oral solution, which is a tea substitute.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] A traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat is prepared from the following raw materials: 10 grams of agastache rugosa, 5 grams of sesame, 10 grams of codonopsis pilosula, and 3 grams of dried tangerine peel.

[0039] It can also be ground into powder and made into dosage forms such as solid beverages according to the following preparation methods:

[0040] (1) Take the patchouli powder and pass it through a 10-mesh and a 50-mesh sieve at the same time. Continue to crush the coarse particles that cannot pass through the 10-mesh sieve and take the powder that is between the 10-mesh and 50-mesh sieves.

[0041] (2) Following the method in step (1), pulverize the licorice root, codonopsis root, and dried tangerine peel into powder and sieve them respectively;

[0042] (3) Mix all the raw material powders evenly, put them into a packaging bag, and seal it.

[0043] When needed, dissolve in 150mL of warm water and drink. Alternatively, it can be brewed with warm or hot water before drinking.

[0044] In other embodiments, the amount of raw materials in a traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving heatstroke can be increased or decreased according to the patient's own condition, and these are all within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0045] In other embodiments, the heat-relieving traditional Chinese medicine composition of the present invention can also be made into tea bags, which can be steeped in hot water for at least 10-30 minutes before drinking, or boiled in water for at least 5-20 minutes before drinking.

[0046] The traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat prepared in Example 1 was used on subjects suffering from summer heat and wind-cold-dampness invasion. Information on gender, age, symptoms, and follow-up symptoms was collected from 30 subjects suffering from summer heat and wind-cold-dampness invasion between August 5th and August 30th, 2024, and their main symptoms were scored. The 30 subjects were aged 24-66 years, with a mean age of 39.3 years; there were 15 males and 15 females. Before taking the herbal tea, the main symptoms included dizziness, heaviness in the body, fatigue, dry mouth, bitter taste, and loose or watery stools. The symptoms of 30 subjects suffering from summer heat and wind-cold-dampness invasion were compared before and after taking the herbal composition for relieving summer heat. The results showed that the average scores of dizziness, heaviness of body, dry mouth, bitter taste, and loose or soft stools of the subjects after taking the oral herbal tea were lower than before taking the herbal tea (Table 1). This indicates that the herbal composition for relieving summer heat is significantly effective in relieving the symptoms of dizziness, heaviness of body, dry mouth, bitter taste, and loose or soft stools of the subjects suffering from summer heat and wind-cold-dampness invasion (P<0.05).

[0047] The research results suggest that the traditional Chinese medicine composition of this invention has a good effect on improving symptoms such as dizziness, heaviness of the body, dry mouth, bitter taste, and loose or undigested stools in subjects suffering from summer heat and wind-cold-dampness invasion. This indicates that the traditional Chinese medicine composition of this invention has a good therapeutic effect on subjects suffering from summer heat and wind-cold-dampness invasion.

[0048] Table 1. Effects of traditional Chinese medicine compositions for relieving summer heat on subjects with summer heat and wind-cold-dampness invasion.

[0049] Statistical analysis table of the impact of symptoms ( ±s)

[0050]

[0051] The above descriptions are merely some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat, characterized in that, It is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 3-20 parts of patchouli, 2-20 parts of sesame, 5-30 parts of codonopsis, and 1-15 parts of dried tangerine peel.

2. The traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 5-15 parts of patchouli, 3-15 parts of euphorbia humifusa, 8-18 parts of codonopsis pilosula, and 1-10 parts of dried tangerine peel.

3. The traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 10 parts of agastache, 5 parts of sesame, 10 parts of codonopsis, and 3 parts of dried tangerine peel.

4. The traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, It also includes medically or food-acceptable excipients.

5. The traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat according to claim 4, characterized in that, The traditional Chinese medicine composition is an oral solution, powder, or granule.

6. The method for preparing the traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the traditional Chinese medicine composition is an oral solution, the preparation method includes the following steps: (1) Weigh the raw materials according to the proportions; (2) Soak the raw materials in water, then heat to boiling and keep simmering for 0.8h-2h. After separation, the first decoction and the residue are obtained. (3) Take the dregs obtained after the first decoction, add water and heat to boiling, keep it at a gentle boil for 0.8h-2h, separate to obtain the second decoction, combine the first and second decoctions to obtain an oral solution.

7. The method for preparing the traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving summer heat according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the traditional Chinese medicine composition is in powder form, the preparation method includes the following steps: (1) Take the patchouli powder and pass it through a 10-mesh and a 50-mesh sieve at the same time. Continue to crush the coarse particles that cannot pass through the 10-mesh sieve and take the powder that is between the 10-mesh and 50-mesh sieves. (2) Grind and sieve the herbs in step (1) respectively; (3) Mix all the raw material powders evenly.

8. The use of the traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving heatstroke according to any one of claims 1-5 in the preparation of beverages for preventing heatstroke.

9. The use of the traditional Chinese medicine composition for relieving heatstroke according to any one of claims 1-5 in the preparation of beverages that improve or alleviate heatstroke symptoms.

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