In any illness that continues for an extended period of time, or is unresponsive to treatment, it is necessary to huo xie/quicken the blood. Blood stasis is an integral part of many chronic disorders that don't respond to normal treatment strategies. Blood stasis is common in heart and liver disorders, and may develop after surgery, trauma, or hemorrhage. It is also a common factor in chronic illnesses such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other degenerative diseases. Quickening blood stasis has become a very important component of modern Chinese medical treatment of autoimmune disorders. Modern clinical studies show Xue fu zhu yu tang (Blood's Mansion) to be useful in the treatment of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus and immune deficient disorders. It is also useful in any disorder with systemic blood stasis, especially for the elderly, including hypercholesterolemia, angina pectoris, arterosclerosis, and heart disease.* Rosenberg: Alembic Herbals - Clinical Guide for Practitioners