Blue clears Liver Wind and removes Heat from the brain. It helps calm down microglia activation and reduce brain neuron inflammation in the midbrain, cerebellum, and limbic system.
Midbrain Structure and Function
The midbrain plays crucial role in a variety of neurological functions. It contains the largest population of dopaminergic neurons which project to and regulate critical regions involved in movement, reward, motivation, and cognition.
It is also involved in auditory and visual processing, vocalization and speech, executive functions, relaying sensory information, neuroendocrine control, sleep-wake cycles, and controlling autonomic activities, such as heartbeat and breathing.
There are four major dopaminergic pathways and three of them originate in the midbrain including the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesocortical pathways. In nigrostriatal pathway, dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra (SN) of the midbrain project and connect to the neurons of the dorsal striatum in the basal ganglia including the caudate nucleus and putamen. In the mesolimbic pathway, dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) project and connect to limbic system structures. In the mesocortical pathway, the neurons in VTA connect to the prefrontal cortex. In the tuberoinfundibular pathway, dopamine neurons in the hypothalamus project and connect to the pituitary gland. Through these connections, dopaminergic neurons extensively innervate the neurons in diverse regions of the brain using the dopamine neuron transmitter. Reduced or loss of dopamine production from the SN and/or VTA can cause disruption to the dopaminergic pathways.
The nigrostriatal pathway is crucial for controlling voluntary movements. The dorsal striatum in the basal ganglia is a key brain region involved in action selection, and learning, particularly in the context of habits and skilled movements. It is critical in movement production as well as controlling and regulating activities of the motor and premotor cortex in the frontal lobe, so that voluntary movements can be performed smoothly. Loss of SN neurons and the subsequent reduction in dopamine can disrupt the nigrostriatal pathway and result in loss of voluntary motor control and coordination, leading to the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson's disease with symptoms of resting tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement.
The mesolimbic pathway connects dopaminergic neurons in the VTA to limbic system structures including the nucleus accumbens (NA), amygdala, and hippocampus. NA processes motivation and reward, the amygdala handles emotional responses; and the hippocampus is essential for forming and retrieving long-term and spatial memories. These structures of the limbic system work together to influence motivation and emotional behaviors,
learning, and memory consolidation. Disruptions in the mesolimbic pathway are linked to the development of depression or emotional instability, reduced motivation, addiction, and memory loss.
The mesocortical pathway is responsible for complex cognitive activities and critical for executive functions such as planning, working memory, attention, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-control. Disruption of the mesocortical pathway cause difficulties in these critical functions. The prefrontal cortex also includes the motor cortex which includes primary motor cortex (M1), supplementary motor area and premotor cortex responsible for planning, controlling, and executing voluntary movements. The M1 contains the cell bodies of upper motor neurons that send axons down to synapse on lower motor neurons to control voluntary movement. The M1 is involved in speech production, specifically controlling the muscles of the lips, tongue, and vocal cords to create sounds while basal ganglia and cerebellum aid in the coordination and smooth transition of vocal elements. Disruption in the mesocortical pathway can affect the initiation of voluntary movement including speech difficulty. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involves disruption of the M1 and it contributes significantly to the symptoms and pathology of the ALS disease.
The fourth pathway, the tuberoinfundibular pathway connects dopamine neurons in the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland and regulates the secretion of various hormones that regulate numerous bodily functions.
The dopamine neuron of the SNc in the midbrain also modulates the activity of the lower motor neurons in the brainstem through a descending dopaminergic pathway that projects from the SNc down to the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) to control the spinal cord and coordinate rhythmic limb movement. Disruption of this pathway also affects processes of motor control.
The midbrain also participates in primary sensory functions including processing and relaying of visual and auditory information and act as relay stations for sensory input to the thalamus and cerebrum. The midbrain also contains sensory pathways crucial for transmitting sensations like pain, temperature, and touch from the body, and relaying sensory information to other parts of the brain.
The midbrain’s strategic location and intricate connections make it susceptible to inflammation and damage which can lead to a range of neurological issues.
Neuron Inflammation
Brain neuron inflammation, also known as neuroinflammation, is involved in a wide array of neurological conditions as neuroinflammation can cause neuron damage. For example, damage to the dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) can cause PD with a variety of neurological dysfunction and symptoms including both motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms. Resting tremors when the limb is at rest, such as a hand tremor is one of the most noticeable symptoms. Some patients can feel a shaking sensation inside their chest or abdomen, which can’t be seen from the outside. Other symptoms include rigidity, stiffness and bradykinesia, slow and difficulty moving. Non-motor symptoms include constipation, loss of smell, sleep disturbance, mood disorder, speech and cognitive difficulties. In some cases, motor neurons can also be affected by neuroinflammation which further contributes to movement difficulties.
Neuroinflammation plays a sufficient pathogenetic role in neurodegeneration and it is caused by microglia activation. Although the exact mechanism of microglial activation is not fully understood, studies have suggested a connection between liver dysfunction and its potential to trigger microglial activation, especially through mechanisms involving the gut-liver-brain axis. Liver dysfunction can cause increased levels of inflammatory mediators. Impaired ammonia detoxification via the liver can cause hyperammonemia which can directly activate microglia and astrocytes, causing oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. Liver dysfunction can also cause imbalances in bile acid metabolism and increased levels of lipocalin 2, a lipid transporter, leading to its accumulation in the brain triggering microglial activation. Liver dysfunction can also lead to chronic systemic inflammation with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6. These inflammatory mediators can travel to the brain and trigger microglial activation and neuroinflammation, potentially contributing to neurodegeneration in PD and ALS.
Blue clears Liver Wind and calms down the overactivated microglia. It also removes Brain Heat to reduce neuron inflammation in the midbrain. Lily formula is also recommended to nurture Yin and clear liver wind to support midbrain and neuron repair. B-5 is recommended to enhance midbrain lymph drainage to support waste removal.
LC Balancer and Brown are also recommended support the livers toxin processing. For patients with decreased kidney function, Xcel is also recommended to support waste secretion. Patients can experience symptoms improvement in 1-2 weeks. 1-3 months of treatment is recommended for significant improvement with sustained results.
Depending on the patient’s condition and the specific affected brain area that connected with the midbrain, additional formulas that address those affected areas, such as the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens (NA), amygdala, and hippocampus etc. are also required.
Suggested Dosage: 2 capsules, 3 times a day
Ingredients: Bombyx Batryticatus, Concha Haliotidis, Concha Ostreae, Fructus Lycii, Fructus Tribuli, Herba Dendrobii, Pheretima, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, Radix Astragali, Radix Paeoniae, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Radix Polygoni, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Salviae Tiorrhizae, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Rhizoma Polygonati
Pin Yin Name: Baijili, Baishao, Chishao, Chuanxiong, Danshen, Dilong, Gouqizi, Heshouwu, Huangjing, Huangqi, Jiangcan, Muli, Niuxi, Shengdi, Shihu, Shijueming
Reference
1.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.580311/full
