The Three Treasures Newsletters
SUMMER 2004
NINE NEW REMEDIES IN THE THREE TREASURES RANGE
We are glad to announce the introduction of nine new remedies to
the Three Treasures range. Four of these new remedies are for mental-emotional
problems and they complement the existing remedies for such problems.
The four new remedies for mental-emotional problems are:
The other five new remedies are:
The following is a very brief overview of the four new remedies
for mental-emotional problems.
Bright Spirit treats
mental-emotional problems occurring against a background of Qi stagnation
and Phlegm, a very common combination of patterns in practice. It
is particularly indicated for depression.
Nourish the Soul
nourishes Liver- and Kidney-Yin and clears Empty Heat. It is a variation
of Suan Zao Ren Tang and it is aimed at treating depression and
anxiety occurring against a background of Yin deficiency.
Searching
Soul tonifies Qi and Blood and it is aimed at treating depression
deriving from a deficiency of Liver-Blood and Liver-Qi (yes, Liver-Qi
deficiency does exist).
Settling the Soul treats anxiety
and mental-emotional problems occurring against a background of
Liver-Fire and Phlegm-Fire harassing and obstructing the Shen.
The following is a brief summary of the other five new remedies.
Arouse Power treats sexual problems of men and women
deriving from a disharmony of Heart and Kidneys.
Buddha's
Hand treats digestive problems deriving from stagnation of Qi
of the Stomach and Liver. It is a variation of Mu Xiang Shun Qi
Wan.
Expel Toxic Heat treats viral infections manifesting
with symptoms and signs of Toxic Heat. It can be used for the acute
manifestations of recurring viral infections.
Harmonize the
Centre is for digestive problems deriving from Qi deficiency,
Qi stagnation, Phlegm and some Blood stasis. With the appropriate
presentation, it is suitable to complement the orthodox treatment
of Type-II diabetes.
Water Passages treats chronic urinary
infections (such as interstitial cystitis) occurring against a background
of Dampness in the urinary system and Kidney deficiency. It is a
variation of Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan.
AROUSE
POWER
Tu Si Zi
Semen Cuscutae chinensis
Suo Yang Herba
Cynomorii songarici
Yin Yang Huo
Herba Epimidii
Gou Qi Zi Fructus
Lycii chinensis
Wu Wei Zi Fructus
Schisandrae chinensis
Dan Shen Radix
Salviae miltiorrhizae
Yuan Zhi Radix
Polygalae tenuifoliae
Lu Lu Tong Fructus
Liquidambaris taiwanianae |
Chuan Niu Xi
Radix Cyathulae officinalis
Gui Zhi
Ramulus Cinnamomi cassiae
Mu Dan Pi
Cortex Moutan radicis
Huang Bo
Cortex Phellodendri
She Chuang Zi
Fructus Cnidii monnieri
Zhi Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis praeparata. |
Patterns: Kidney-Yang deficiency, Heart-Qi deficiency,
Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner.
Actions: tonify Kidney-Yang,
tonify Heart-Qi, stimulate the descending of Heart-Qi, drain Damp-Heat,
calm the Mind.
Indications: Impotence, premature ejaculation,
decreased libido, decreased sexual function, frigidity, insomnia,
depression, backache, urinary difficulty, dizziness, tinnitus.
Tongue: pale.
Pulse: Deep, Weak.
Explanation
The menstrual and sexual function in women and the sexual function
in men rely on the coordination and harmony between Kidneys and
Heart. The Water of the Kidneys and the Fire of the Heart need to
nourish each other. While the Kidney-Essence is the origin of sperm
in men and menstrual blood/ova in women, the Heart plays an important
role in erection and ejaculation, the release of eggs for ovulation
and the discharge of blood during menstruation.
Thus, while the Kidneys are the source of Yin and Yang in the sexual
and menstrual function, the Heart promotes the transformation of
Yin into Yang and vice versa during the menstrual cycle; it also
promotes the discharge of menstrual blood at menstruation, eggs
at ovulation and sperm during ejaculation. In particular, in men,
the Heart plays a crucial role in erection, orgasm and ejaculation.
Just as the discharge of blood at menstruation and the release of
the eggs at ovulation depend on the descending of Heart-Qi, erection
and ejaculation also depend on the descending of Heart-Qi. To perform
these functions, Heart-Qi descends to communicate with Kidney-Qi.
Kidney-Water needs to ascend towards the Heart and Heart-Fire (the
physiological Emperor Fire) needs to descend towards the Kidneys:
the coordination between the descending of Heart-Fire and ascending
of Kidney-Water ensures a normal menstruation and ovulation in women
and normal sexual function in both men and women.
The ascending of the Kidneys and descending of the Heart in the
menstrual and sexual sphere is also ensured by the communication
between the Du Mai and the Ren Mai: in fact, both these extraordinary
vessels originate from the space between the Kidneys, both flow
through the Uterus (in men through the prostate) and both flow through
the heart. The Du Mai and Ren Mai form like a closed circuit and
may be looked upon as one channel, one Yang, the other Yin. The
Du Mai represents the Kidney-Yang and the Ren Mai the Kidney-Yin
in the fluctuation of Yin and Yang during the menstrual cycle: the
proper communication between Heart and Kidneys and between the Du
and Ren Mai ensures a normal menstruation/ovulation and normal sexual
function.
With regard to sexual function, during sexual excitation the Minister
Fire within the Kidneys is aroused and flows up towards the Pericardium
and Heart: for this reason the person becomes flushed in the face
(the complexion is a manifestation of the Heart) and the heart rate
increases during sexual excitation. With orgasm and ejaculation,
there is a downward movement of Qi which releases the accumulated
Minister Fire downwards: in order for this to occur normally the
downward movement of Heart-Qi is crucial.
A normal sexual desire, arousal, erection and orgasm therefore relies
on three main factors:
| • |
the ascending of Kidney-Water
and descending of Heart-Fire |
| • |
the communication between Kidneys
and Heart |
| • |
the connection between Du and
Ren Mai. |
If the Minister Fire within the Kidneys is deficient there will
be a decreased libido in both men and women and an inability to
reach an orgasm in women and impotence in men. If Heart-Qi and Heart-Blood
are deficient or not descending to communicate with the Kidneys,
there may be impotence or premature ejaculation in men and inability
to reach an orgasm in women even in the presence of sexual arousal.
Arouse Power was formulated to tonify the Kidneys and
the Minister Fire so as to stimulate sexual desire, and to tonify
Heart-Qi and stimulate the descending of Heart-Qi to establish its
communication with the Kidneys, thus promoting normal erection and
ejaculation in men and normal sexual function in women. The communication
between the Kidney and Heart and the connection between Du and Ren
Mai promoted by this remedy will also act on the menstrual function,
regulating menstruation and ovulation.
Tu Si Zi, Suo Yang and Yin Yang Huo tonify Kidney-Yang, strengthen
the Minister Fire and reinforce the Du Mai. Gou Qi Zi nourishes
Kidney-Yin and balances the heating action of the Kidney-Yang tonics;
together with Wu Wei Zi, it nourishes the Essence. In addition,
Gou Qi Zi will also strengthen the Ren Mai.
Dan Shen and Yuan Zhi tonify the Heart, open the Heart orifices
and stimulate the descending of Heart-Qi. The descending of Heart-Qi
and Heart-Blood ensures the transformation of Yang to Yin at menstruation
and Yin to Yang at ovulation; it ensures the discharge of menstrual
blood at menstruation and of the eggs at ovulation; in women, it
ensures achieving an orgasm after sexual excitation; in men, it
ensures achieving an erection. It should be remembered that erection
results from the filling up of the arteries and arterioles of the
corpus cavernosum in the penis with blood: as the Heart governs
Blood and as Heart-Qi and Heart-Blood descend towards the sex organs,
this organ plays an important role in erection.
Lu Lu Tong and Chuan Niu Xi invigorate Blood in the Lower Burner;
Gui Zhi and Mu Dan Pi, one warm the other cold, enter the blood
vessels to promote erection. In addition, Mu Dan Pi also balances
the heating action of the Kidney-Yang tonics. Huang Bo and She Chuang
Zi drain Dampness from the Lower Burner: this is necessary as Dampness
in the Lower Burner is often a contributory factor to an abnormal
sexual function. Zhi Gan Cao harmonizes.
Mental-emotional
pattern
Keyword: power
This formula tonifies Kidney-Yang and strengthens the Heart: it
therefore affects both the Will-Power (Zhi) and the Mind
(Shen). When Kidney-Yang is deficient, the person lacks will-power,
drive and joie de vivre; when, in addition, the Heart is
also deficient, the Mind suffers and the person is depressed. By
tonifying the Kidneys and the Heart, this remedy strengthens will-power,
drive and determination allowing the person to escape the cycle
of depression.
Moreover, this remedy invigorates Blood; when Blood stasis affects
the Heart, the Mind is affected giving rise to anxiety, mental restlessness
and agitation: it may also cause depression. The combination of
tonification of the Kidneys and Heart and invigorating Blood, therefore
allows the person to be empowered and to break out of psychic stagnation
and depression.
Cautions and contraindications
There are no special contraindications for this remedy; one should
remember that it contains two quite hot Yang tonics (Suo Yang and
Yin Yang Huo) and one should therefore be certain that the patient
is indeed suffering from Yang deficiency. Therefore, a pale tongue
is an important necessary sign for the prescription of this formula.
Differentiation from existing remedies
Strengthen the Root
Strengthen the Root is a straightforward Kidney-Yang tonic and
does not tonify Heart nor does it stimulate the descending of Heart-Qi:
therefore, the communication between the Heart and Kidneys is an
important feature of Arouse Power that is missing in Strengthen
the Root.
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BRIGHT
SPIRIT
Zhu Ru
Caulis Bambusae in taeniis
Ban Xia
Rhizoma Pinelliae
Chen Pi
Pericarpium Citri reticulatae
Fu Shen
Sclerotium Poriae Cocos pararadicis
Qing Pi
Pericarpium Citri reticulatae viride
Shi Chang Pu
Rhizoma Acori graminei |
Yuan Zhi
Radix Polygalae
Xiang Fu
Rhizoma Cyperi rotundi
He Huan Pi
Cortex Albizziae julibrissin
Mei Gui Hua
Flos Rosae rugosae
Yu Jin
Tuber Curcumae |
Patterns: Liver- and Heart-Qi stagnation, Phlegm obstructing
the Mind's orifices.
Actions: move Liver- and Heart-Qi, calm the Mind, resolve
Phlegm, open the Mind's orifices, stimulate the "coming and
going" of the Ethereal Soul.
Indications:
Depression, moodiness, indecision, a feeling or aimlessness, confusion
about one's life dreams and goals, digestive disorders with distension
and fullness, sighing, palpitations, a feeling of distension or
oppression of the chest, a slight feeling of lump in the throat,
sputum in the throat, slight shortness of breath, poor appetite,
weak and cold limbs, slightly purple lips, pale complexion.
Tongue: slightly Pale-Purple on the sides in the chest area,
Swollen, sticky coating.
Pulse: Wiry and very slightly
Overflowing on the left-Front position or Wiry-Slippery.
Explanation
This remedy moves Qi of the Liver and Heart and resolves Phlegm
obstructing the Mind. Zhu Ru, Ban Xia and Chen Pi resolve Phlegm.
Shi Chang Pu and Yuan Zhi open the Mind's orifices, resolve Phlegm
from the Mind and calm the Mind.
Fu Shen calms the Mind. Yu Jin, Qing Pi, Xiang Fu, He Huan Pi and
Mei Gui Hua move Qi, open the Mind's orifices and lift depression.
Mental-emotional pattern
Keyword: purpose.
The Ethereal Soul, residing in the Liver, is responsible for ideas,
projects, life dreams, aims, creativity, etc. The Ethereal Soul
provides this "movement" on a mental and psychic level
to the Mind (Shen) and, for this reason, the Ethereal Soul
is said to be the "coming and going of the Shen".
When the Ethereal Soul does not "come and go" enough,
the person lacks dreams, aims, projects, inspiration and creativity,
he or she lacks a sense of direction and feels frustrated. These
people are often at crossroads (which may have to do with relationships
or work) in life and lack a sense of direction: in short, the person
is depressed. If the Ethereal Soul "comes and goes" too
much, the person has too many dreams, aims and projects which are
rather chaotic and are not properly directed by the Mind (Shen):
this results in a slightly manic behaviour.
The coming and going of the Ethereal Soul may be restrained by Qi
stagnation and this remedy is aimed at freeing the coming and going
of the Ethereal Soul and allow life dreams, aims, projects, inspiration
and creativity to burst through the person's psyche.
When Qi stagnates over a long period of time, the free flow of Qi
in the Triple Burner is impaired and this leads to impairment of
the metabolism of fluids: after time, this may result in the formation
of Phlegm. When in addition to Qi stagnation, there is Phlegm, this
clouds the Mind's orifices and it leads to a certain loss of insight.
The person feels confused, bewildered without being able to pinpoint
what the trouble is.
This remedy moves Liver- and Heart-Qi and resolves Phlegm from the
Mind: by so doing, it stimulates the "coming and going"
of the Ethereal Soul and therefore helps the person to find a sense
of direction and purpose in life.
Differentiation from existing remedies
Open the Heart
Open the Heart moves Qi of the Heart, Lungs and Stomach and
its range of action is primarily in the chest. Bright Spirit moves
Qi primarily of Liver and Heart and its range of action in not specifically
only in the chest.
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BUDDHA'S
HAND
Mu Xiang
Radix Vladimiriae
Bai Dou Kou
Fructus Amomi rotundi
Cang Zhu
Rhizoma Atractylodis
Qing Pi
Pericarpium Citri reticulatae viride
Chen Pi
Pericarpium Citri reticulatae
Fu Ling
Poria
Hou Po
Cortex Magnoliae officinalis
Fo Shou
Fructus Citri sarcodactylis |
Ban Xia
Rhizoma Pinelliae
Zhi Shi
Fructus Immaturus Citri aurantii
Lai Fu Zi
Semen Raphani
Shan Zha
Fructus Crataegi
Shen Qu
Massa Fermentata
Gu Ya
Fructus Oryzae sativae germinatus
Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis |
Patterns: Qi stagnation in the Middle Burner, rebellious
Stomach-Qi, Dampness in the Middle Burner.
Actions: move Qi in the Middle Burner, subdue rebellious Stomach-Qi,
resolve Dampness.
Indications: Poor digestion, epigastric distension and/or pain,
sour regurgitation, oesophageal reflux, nausea, vomiting, belching,
feeling of fullness in the epigastrium, a sticky taste.
Tongue: sticky coating, possibly slightly red sides on the edges
in b central section of the tongue.
Pulse: Wiry on the right-Middle position.
Explanation
This remedy is a variation of Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan which moves Qi
and resolve Dampness in the Middle Burner. This remedy is primarily
for a Full condition as it moves Qi and resolves Dampness in the
Middle Burner and it subdues rebellious Stomach Qi.
This remedy is aimed at treating very common digestive problems
characterized by distension, pain, sour regurgitation, acidity,
nausea, belching, feeling of fullness, heartburn and oesophageal
reflux: these symptoms are caused by the very common combination
of patterns of Qi stagnation and Dampness in the Middle Burner and
rebellious Stomach-Qi.
Mu Xiang, Qing Pi, Fo Shou and Zhi Shi move Qi in the Middle Burner;
in particular Fo Shou also has a particularly strong emotional effect
and Zhi Shi has a descending movement which helps to subdue rebellious
Stomach-Qi.
Bai Dou Kou, Cang Zhu, Chen Pi and Hou Po fragrantly resolve Dampness:
in particular, Chen Pi also moves Qi in the Middle Burner and helps
to subdue rebellious Stomach-Qi. Fu Ling drain Dampness via urination:
the combination of fragrant herbs that resolve Dampness and bland
herbs that drain Dampness is a very common treatment method to eliminate
Dampness.
Lai Fu Zi, Shan Zha, Shen Qu and Gu Ya are digestive herbs which
help to relieve epigastric fullness and sour regurgitation; in particular,
Lai Fu Zi has a downward movement which will help to subdue rebellious
Stomach-Qi.
Mental-emotional pattern
Keyword: freeing restraint
This remedy moves Qi: on a mental-emotional level, this means that
it stimulates the "coming and going" of the Ethereal Soul
(Hun). The Ethereal Soul, residing in the Liver, is responsible
for ideas, projects, life dreams, aims, creativity, etc. The Ethereal
Soul provides this "movement" on a mental and psychic
level to the Mind (Shen) and, for this reason, the Ethereal Soul
is said to be the "coming and going of the Shen".
When the Ethereal Soul does not "come and go" enough,
the person lacks dreams, aims, projects, inspiration and creativity,
he or she lacks a sense of direction and feels frustrated. These
people are often at crossroads (which may have to do with relationships
or work) in life and lack a sense of direction: in short, the person
is depressed. If the Ethereal Soul "comes and goes" too
much, the person has too many dreams, aims and projects which are
rather chaotic and are not properly directed by the Mind (Shen):
this results in a slightly manic behaviour.
The coming and going of the Ethereal Soul may be restrained by Qi
stagnation and this remedy can therefore free the coming and going
of the Ethereal Soul and allow life dreams, aims, projects, inspiration
and creativity to burst through the person's psyche.
Cautions and contraindications
This remedy contains pungent herbs the administration of which over
a long time may injure Yin. However, this would happen only after
a rather prolonged administration (of about 6 months). Contraindicated
in pregnancy.
Classical antecedent
Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan Aucklandia
Subduing Qi Pill.
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EXPEL
TOXIC HEAT
Ban Lan Gen
Radix Isatis seu Baphicacanthis
Da Qing Ye Folium Daqingye
Huang Qi
Radix Astragali
Ling Zhi
Ganoderma
Huang Qin
Radix Scutellariae
Huang Lian
Rhizoma Coptidis
Huang
Bo Cortex Phellodendri
|
Jin Yin Hua
Flos Lonicerae japonicae
Zi Hua Di Ding
Herba cum Radice Violae Yedoensitis
Mu Dan Pi
Cortex Moutan
Xuan Shen
Radix Scrophulariae
Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis |
Patterns: Toxic Heat in all three Burners.
Actions: resolve Toxic Heat from the three Burners.
Indications: Carbuncles, pustules, acute attack of herpes simplex
or zoster, acute attack of genital herpes, acute tonsillitis with
purulent tonsils, infected eczema, acute attack of acne with large
pustules, acute attack of sinusitis with purulent nasal discharge.
Tongue: red, red points, swollen, with thick-sticky-yellow coating.
Pulse: Rapid-Overflowing or Deep-Firm-Rapid.
Explanation
This remedy resolves Toxic Heat from the three Burners and it is
therefore suitable for Toxic Heat in most parts of the body. "Toxic
Heat" is a form of internal Heat which has the following characteristics:
| • |
It may derive from an infection |
| • |
It manifests with redness, swelling,
pain and pus |
Thus, whenever there is redness, swelling and pus externally, this
indicates Toxic Heat. Examples of Toxic Heat externally are pustules,
carbuncles, acne with large pustules, infected eczema, swollen and
purulent tonsils, etc. However, Toxic Heat occurs also internally:
examples of it are appendicitis, intestinal abscess, mastitis, etc.
The Chinese concept of Toxic Heat is akin to the Western-medicine
concept of infection but the two are not synonymous. Toxic Heat
may be acute or chronic recurring in bouts. An example of acute
Toxic Heat would be that of a large carbuncle; an example of chronic
Toxic Heat is that of recurrent attacks of genital herpes. The remedy
Expel Toxic Heat is either for acute Toxic Heat
or for an acute attack of chronic Toxic Heat. However, in combination
with Qi tonics, this remedy could be used for chronic Toxic Heat,
in which case it would be used in a very small dose, e.g. only one
tablet a day for an adult.
I have included two herbs (Ban Lan Gen and Da Qing Ye) that, besides
resolving Toxic Heat, have also an anti-viral effect according to
modern research. This makes this remedy suitable to treat acute
attacks of viral infections such as herpes (simplex, zoster or genital).
Although the primary impact of this remedy is to resolve Toxic Heat,
it does contain two tonics, i.e. Huang Qi and Ling Zhi to support
Qi and strengthen the anti-viral action of the remedy.
Huang Qin, Huang Lian and Huang Bo resolve Toxic Heat from the Upper,
Middle and Lower Burner respectively: this makes the remedy suitable
to treat Toxic Heat in any of the three Burners. Jin Yin Hua, Zi
Hua Di Ding and Xuan Shen all resolve Toxic Heat; Mu Dan Pi cools
the Blood.
Gan Cao has been added not only to harmonize but also to help to
resolve Toxic Heat.
Cautions and contraindications
Please note that this remedy contains many bitter and cold herbs
which, when administered in the long run, may injure the Spleen.
This remedy is purely to resolve Toxic Heat and it should therefore
be used only for limited periods (no longer than, say, 2 months).
The only exception to this rule is in cases when the remedy is used
in a very small dose (only 1 tablet a day for an adult) in combination
with Qi tonics that protect the Spleen. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
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HARMONIZE
THE CENTRE
Ren
Shen Radix Ginseng
Huang Qi Radix Astragali
Xi Yang Shen
Radix Panacis quinquefolii
Bai Zhu
Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae
Shan Yao
Rhizoma Dioscoreae
Tian Hua Fen
Radix Trichosanthis kirilowii
Yu Zhu
Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae
Zhi Mu
Radix Anemarrhenae asphodeloidis
Fu Ling
Poria |
Ge
Gen Radix Puerariae
Huang Jing
Rhizoma Polygonati
Gou Qi Zi
Fructus Lycii
Shan Zhu Yu
Fructus Corni
Ban Xia
Rhizoma Pinelliae
Chen Pi
Pericarpium Citri reticulatae
Cang Zhu
Rhizoma Atractylodis
Dan Shen
Radix Salviae milthiorrizae |
Patterns: Stomach- and Spleen-Qi deficiency, Stomach- and Spleen-Yin
deficiency, Phlegm, Blood stasis.
Actions: tonify Qi and Yin of Stomach and Spleen, resolve Phlegm,
invigorate Blood.
Indications: Type II diabetes, poor appetite, poor digestion, obesity,
epigastric distension and fullness, tiredness.
Tongue: with rootless coating, completely without coating or without
coating in the centre, Stomach crack.
Pulse: Weak or Floating-Empty on the right-Middle position.
Explanation
Harmonize the Centre treats digestive problems deriving from
Qi and Yin deficiency of Stomach and Spleen. These would be characterized
by a dull epigastric pain and slight sour regurgitation. A deficiency
of Stomach and Spleen often leads to Phlegm, especially in middle-aged
and elderly people. This remedy is typically for a person with the
above patterns and tending to obesity (a sign of Phlegm).
With the appropriate presentation, this remedy is suitable for the
treatment of Type-II diabetes in conjunction with orthodox treatment.
Mental-emotional pattern
Keyword: clarity.
The essential characteristics of this remedy are a Deficiency of
the Stomach and Spleen and a Fullness in the form of Phlegm. On
a mental-emotional level, a deficiency of Qi and Yin of the Stomach
and Spleen will tend to make the person depressed and lacking a
"centre": this will cause a person not only to feel depressed
but also to feel "lost" and lacking grounding.
On the other hand, Phlegm may obstruct the Mind and cause the person
to feel confused.
Differentiation from existing remedies
Central Mansion
Both Central Mansion and Harmonize the Centre tonify
Qi and Yin of the Stomach and Spleen; however, Central Mansion
in addition resolves Dampness while Harmonize the Centre
resolves Phlegm. Moreover, Harmonize the Centre also invigorates
Blood which Central Mansion does not do. Finally, Harmonize
the Centre contains herbs that are specific to balance
the sugar metabolism and therefore treat diabetes; Central Mansion
also has some such herbs but this is not a main feature of this
remedy.
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NOURISH
THE SOUL
Suan
Zao Ren Semen Ziziphi
spinosae
Bai Shao
Radix Paeoniae Alba
Wu Wei Zi
Fructus Schizandrae
Fu Shen
Sclerotium Poriae Cocos pararadicis
Zhi Mu
Radix Anemarrhaenae asphodeloidis
Chuan Xiong
Radix Ligustici chuanxiong
Sheng Di Huang
Radix Rehmanniae |
Mai
Men Dong Radix Ophiopogonis
Yuan Zhi
Radix Polygalae
Bai Zi Ren
Semen Biotae
Gou Teng
Ramulus cum Uncis Uncariae
Ye Jiao Teng
Caulis Polygoni multiflori
Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis |
Patterns: Liver-, Kidney-Yin and Heart-Yin deficiency, Heart Empty
Heat, Mind (Shen) and Ethereal Soul (Hun) unsettled.
Actions: nourish Liver-, Kidney- and Heart-Yin, clear Heart Empty
Heat, calm the Mind, settle the Ethereal Soul.
Indications: Insomnia, anxiety, mental restlessness, agitation,
feeling fidgety, very slight hyperactive behaviour from Deficiency,
night-sweating, dizziness, tinnitus, dry mouth at night, waking
up at night with desire to sip water, palpitations.
Tongue: Red without coating or with rootless coating, dry, possibly
Heart crack.
Pulse: Floating-Empty or Fine-Rapid.
Explanation
This remedy is a variation of Suan Zao Ren Tang Ziziphus
Decoction which nourishes Liver-Yin, calms the Mind and settles
the Ethereal Soul.
Suan Zao Ren and Bai Shao nourish Liver-Yin and settle the Ethereal
Soul: their astringent, absorbing quality in relation to fluids
has a psychic equivalent in that they "absorb" the Ethereal
Soul back into the Liver, thus calming the Mind, settling the Ethereal
Soul and restraining its excessive "coming and going".
Wu Wei Zi was added to strengthen the astringent and Yin-nourishing
effect of Suan Zao Ren and Bai Shao.
Fu Shen, Yuan Zhi and Bai Zi Ren calm the Mind and settle the Ethereal
Soul. Sheng Di Huang, Zhi Mu and Mai Men Dong nourish Yin. Chuan
Xiong is in the original prescription ro regulate Liver-Blood and
thus help to nourish Liver-Blood and Liver-Yin.
Gou Teng and Ye Jiao Teng have been added to subdue the rising of
Liver-Yang in order to encourage the return of the Ethereal Soul
into the Liver.
It is interesting that modern Chinese books stress the effect of
this formula on the Heart in nourishing the Heart and calming the
Mind. However, the "Essential Prescription of the Golden Cabinet"
(Jin Gui Yao Lue Fang, AD
220) from which this formula is derived stresses very much the effect
of this formula in harnessing the Ethereal Soul back into the Liver.
Moreover, it says that this formula is not only to nourish Yin but
also to resolve Phlegm, a function not usually associated with this
formula. The source text says: "Liver
deficiency deriving from Exhaustion [Xu Lao] causes mental restlessness
[fan] and insomnia. The Nei Jing says that the Liver houses the
Ethereal Soul and when a person lies down Blood returns to the Liver.
In people suffering from Exhaustion, Liver-Qi is deficient, the
Mind [Shen Zhi] cannot settle, the Ethereal Soul is not housed in
the Liver and insomnia results. Suan Zao Ren nourishes the Liver
and absorbs [the Ethereal Soul] and is the chief ingredient of the
formula. When the Liver is deficient it allows Phlegm, Dryness and
Fire to invade it resulting in mental restlessness and insomnia.
For this reason, Zhi Mu and Gan Cao are used to clear Heat and moisten
Dryness while Fu Ling and Chuan Xiong resolve Phlegm."1
It is therefore interesting that this formula also resolves Phlegm
and opens the Mind's orifices.
Mental-emotional pattern
Keyword: Returning home.
The Ethereal Soul, residing in the Liver, is responsible for ideas,
projects, life dreams, aims, creativity, etc. The Ethereal Soul
provides this "movement" on a mental and psychic level
to the Mind (Shen) and, for this reason, the Ethereal Soul
is said to be the "coming and going of the Shen".
When the Ethereal Soul does not "come and go" enough,
the person lacks dreams, aims, projects, inspiration and creativity,
he or she lacks a sense of direction and feels frustrated. These
people are often at crossroads (which may have to do with relationships
or work) in life and lack a sense of direction: in short, the person
is depressed. If the Ethereal Soul "comes and goes" too
much, the person has too many dreams, aims and projects which are
rather chaotic and are not properly directed by the Mind (Shen):
this results in a slightly manic behaviour.
The Ethereal Soul may come and go too much either from a Full condition
such as Fire or from a deficiency of Yin or Blood of the Liver.
In the former case, Fire agitates the Ethereal Soul; in the latter
case, the Ethereal Soul comes and goes too much because it is not
held in Liver-Blood and Liver-Yin due to their deficiency. This
remedy settles the Ethereal Soul by nourishing Liver- and Kidney-Yin
and clearing Empty Heat.
Classical antecedent
Suan Zao Ren Tang Ziziphus Decoction.
Differentiation from existing remedies
Root the Spirit.
Heavenly Empress.
All three remedies, Root the Spirit, Heavenly Empress
and Nourish the Soul promote sleep and treat insomnia. Equally,
all three of them nourish Liver- and Kidney-Yin although Heavenly
Empress has the strongest action in nourishing Kidney-Yin; in
fact, Root the Spirit and Nourish the Soul nourish
primarily Liver-Yin. Heavenly Empress and Nourish the
Soul both nourish Heart-Yin and clear Heart Empty Heat, actions
which Root the Spirit does not have.
Root the Spirit nourishes primarily Liver-Yin and it is specific
to root the Ethereal Soul (Hun) in the Liver to promote sleep.
Heavenly Empress treats similar patterns to Nourish the
Soul but the latter has a stronger mental-emotional effect and
a stronger effect in promoting the rooting of the Ethereal Soul
in the Liver. Finally, Heavenly Empress is specific to treat
menopausal problems and, for this reason, it has herbs that clear
Empty Heat and treat hot flushes, a quality that Nourish the
Soul does not have.
11981 Discussion of Essential
Prescriptions of the Golden Chest (Jin Gui Yao Lue Fang Lun [#ch]).
Zhejiang Scientific Publishing House, Zhejiang, first published
c. AD 220, p. 49.
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SEARCHING
SOUL
Ren
Shen Radix Ginseng
Huang Qi Radix Astragali
membranacei
Dang Gui
Radix Angelicae sinensis
Shou Wu
Radix Polygoni multiflori
Long Yan Rou
Arillus Euphoriae longanae
Yuan Zhi
Radix Polygalae tenuifoliae
He Huan Pi
Cortex Albizziae julibrissin
Yu Jin Tuber
Curcumae
Mei Gui Hua
Flos Rosae rugosae
| Qing
Pi Pericarpium Citri
reticulatae viride
Du Zhong
Cortex Eucommniae ulmoidis
Fo Shou
Fructus Citri sarcodactylis
Xu Duan
Radix Dipsaci
Zhi Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis praeparata
Da Zao
Fructus Ziziphi jujubae
Fu Xiao Mai
Semen Tritici aestivi levis |
Pattern: Kidney-Yang deficiency, Liver-Blood deficiency,
Liver-Qi deficiency, Qi stagnation, Ethereal Soul not "going
enough".
Action: tonify Kidney-Yang, nourish Liver-Blood, stimulate the Ethereal
Soul, strengthen Will-Power.
Indications: Depression, lack of sense of direction, mental confusion,
confusion about one's goals, relationship problems, dependance on
other people, over-protectiveness, indecision, lack of will-power,
sadness, timidity.
Tongue: Pale.
Pulse: Choppy or weak.
Explanation
This remedy stimulates the "coming and going" of the Ethereal
Soul when this is restrained partly by a deficiency of Liver-Blood
and Kidney-Yang and partly by Qi stagnation. Please note that when
Liver-Blood is associated with Liver-Qi deficiency, the person is
timid and depressed. Although not often discussed, Liver-Qi deficiency
does exists and its manifestations are primarily on the emotional
level manifesting with timidity, shyness and depression.
Ren Shen and Huang Qi tonify Qi in general; Dang Gui and He Shou
Wu nourish Liver-Blood: in combination with the Qi tonics, they
tonify also Liver-Qi. Long Yan Rou nourishes Liver-Blood and calms
the Mind. Yuan Zhi, He Huan Pi, Yu Jin, Mei Gui Hua, Qing Pi and
Fo Shou move Liver-Qi. Du Zhong and Xu Duan tonify Kidney-Yang.
Da Zao, Fu Xiao Mai and Zhi Gan Cao form the prescription Gan Mai
Da Zao Tang Glycyrrhiza-Triticus-Ziziphus
Decoction which nourishes the Heart, calms the Mind and settles
the Ethereal Soul.
Mental-emotional pattern
Keyword: clear path.
The Ethereal Soul, residing in the Liver, is responsible for ideas,
projects, life dreams, aims, creativity, etc. The Ethereal Soul
provides this "movement" on a mental and psychic level
to the Mind (Shen) and, for this reason, the Ethereal Soul
is said to be the "coming and going of the Shen".
When the Ethereal Soul does not "come and go" enough,
the person lacks dreams, aims, projects, inspiration and creativity,
he or she lacks a sense of direction and feels frustrated. These
people are often at crossroads (which may have to do with relationships
or work) in life and lack a sense of direction: in short, the person
is depressed. If the Ethereal Soul "comes and goes" too
much, the person has too many dreams, aims and projects which are
rather chaotic and are not properly directed by the Mind (Shen):
this results in a slightly manic behaviour.
The coming and going of the Ethereal Soul may be restrained by Qi
stagnation, by a deficiency of Liver-Blood and Kidney-Yang or by
both. This remedy can therefore free the coming and going of the
Ethereal Soul by nourishing Liver-Blood, tonifying Kidney-Yang and
eliminating Liver-Qi stagnation: this allows life dreams, aims,
projects, inspiration and creativity to burst through the person's
psyche. This will give the person better clarity in planning their
life and in pursuing one's life dreams.
Cautions and contraindications
None.
Differentiation from existing remedies
Breaking Clouds.
Both Breaking Clouds and Searching Soul treat depression
occurring against a Deficiency background. However, Breaking
Clouds tonifies primarily the Spleen, while Searching Soul
tonifies Liver-Blood, Liver-Qi and Kidney-Yang.
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SETTLING
THE SOUL
Yuan
Zhi Radix Polygalae
tenuifoliae
Shi Chang Pu
Rhizoma Acori graminei
Huang Qin
Radix Scutellariae baicalensis
Long Dan Cao
Radix Gentianae
Zhu Ye
Herba Lophatheri gracilis
Suan Zao Ren
Semen Zizyphi spinosae
Gua Lou
Fructus Trichosanthis
| Gou
Teng Ramulus cum Uncis
Uncariae
Lian Xin
Plumula Nelumbinis nuciferae
Bai Shao
Radix Paeoniae Alba
Zhu Ru
Caulis Bambusae in taeniis
Chen Pi
Pericarpium Citri reticulatae
Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis |
Pattern: Fire of the Heart and Liver agitating the Mind (Shen) and
the Ethereal Soul (Hun), Phlegm misting the Mind.
Actions: drain Fire, open the Mind's orifices, calm the Mind,
settle the Ethereal Soul, resolve Phlegm.
Indications: Anxiety, insomnia, manic behaviour, staying up at night
working, having many projects simultaneously, spending money, excessive
excitement, going out a lot, incessant talking or laughing, singing.
Tongue: Red with redder tip and sides, swollen, sticky-yellow coating,
central Heart crack with rough-dry-yellow-sticky coating inside
it.
Pulse: Slippery, Overflowing, Rapid.
Explanation
This remedy drains Fire of the Liver and Heart and resolves Phlegm
from the Mind: by so doing, it settles the Ethereal Soul and calms
its excessive "coming and going": this will restore a
proper relationship between the Ethereal Soul (Hun) and the
Mind (Shen) so that the former give the latter its psychic
"movement" and that the Mind properly controls, "reigns
in" the Ethereal Soul and integrates the psychic contents deriving
from it.
Yuan Zhi and Shi Chang Pu settle the Ethereal Soul, calm the Mind
and open the Mind's orifices. Huang Qin, Zhu Ye and Lian Xin drain
Heart-Fire. Suan Zao Ren calms the Mind, settles the Ethereal Soul
and nourishes the Heart. Zhu Ru and Gua Lou resolve Phlegm-Heat
from the Heart. Gou Teng clears Liver-Heat and helps to subdue Liver-Yang;
Bai Shao is added to calm the Liver and "re-absorb" (through
its astringent taste) the Ethereal Soul into the Liver. Long Dan
Cao drains Liver-Fire.
Mental-emotional pattern
Keyword: integration
The Ethereal Soul, residing in the Liver, is responsible for ideas,
projects, life dreams, aims, creativity, etc. The Ethereal Soul
provides this "movement" on a mental and psychic level
to the Mind (Shen) and, for this reason, the Ethereal Soul
is said to be the "coming and going of the Shen".
When the Ethereal Soul does not "come and go" enough,
the person lacks dreams, aims, projects, inspiration and creativity,
he or she lacks a sense of direction and feels frustrated. These
people are often at crossroads (which may have to do with relationships
or work) in life and lack a sense of direction: in short, the person
is depressed. If the Ethereal Soul "comes and goes" too
much, the person has too many dreams, aims and projects which are
rather chaotic and are not properly directed by the Mind (Shen):
this results in a slightly manic behaviour.
Fire of both the Liver and/or Heart unsettles the Ethereal Soul
and causes the person to feel agitated, restless and somewhat hyperactive.
The person may be un-naturally active without wanting to be. Often
this situation makes the person quite creative but in a somewhat
chaotic and unproductive way. A sign of restless Ethereal Soul from
pathological Fire is staying up until very late at night and being
very active.
When in addition to Fire, there is Phlegm, this clouds the Mind's
orifices and it leads to a certain loss of insight. The person feels
like they want to be very active and start many projects but in
somewhat chaotic and confused way; the person will also feel confused
and somewhat manic.
This remedy drains Fire of the Liver and Heart and resolves Phlegm
from the Mind: by so doing, it settles the Ethereal Soul and calms
its excessive "coming and going": this will restore a
proper relationship between the Ethereal Soul (Hun) and the
Mind (Shen) so that the former give the latter its psychic
"movement" and that the Mind properly controls, "reigns
in" the Ethereal Soul and integrates the psychic contents deriving
from it.
Cautions and contraindications
There are no particular contraindications associated with this remedy.
It is obviously a cooling remedy that drain Fire and it is therefore
contraindicated if there is no Fire.
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WATER
PASSAGES
Zhi
Mu Radix Anemarrhenae
asphodeloidis
Huang Bo
Cortex Phellodendri
Shu Di Huang
Radix Rehmanniae praeparata
Shan Yao
Rhizoma Dioscoreae
Shan Zhu Yu
Fructus Corni
Mu Dan Pi
Cortex Moutan
Fu Ling
Poria
Ze Xie
Rhizoma Alismatis
Che Qian Zi
Semen Plantaginis
Qu Mai
Herba Dianthi
| Bian
Xu Herba Polygoni avicularis
Bi Xie
Rhizoma Dioscoreae hypoglauca
Yi Yi Ren
Semen Coicis
Huang Qi
Radix Astragali
Chai Hu
Radix Bupleuri
Gan Cao
Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis
Bai Shao
Radix Paeoniae Alba
Tu Si Zi
Semen Cuscutae
Ze Lan
Herba Lycopi lucidi |
Patterns: Damp-Heat in the Bladder, Kidney deficiency, sinking of
Qi.
Actions: resolve Dampness and clear Heat from the Bladder, tonify
the Kidneys, lift Qi.
Indications: Frequency of urination, difficult urination, urgency
of urination, burning on urination, hypogastric pain, backache,
dizziness, tinnitus, tiredness, feeling of bearing down.
Explanation
This remedy is indicated for chronic retention of Damp-Heat in the
Bladder with an underlying Kidney deficiency: this is an extremely
common combination of patterns especially in women, leading to urinary
problems characterized by burning on urination, frequency, urinary
difficulty, urgency and sometimes a slight incontinence. The combination
of patterns treated by this remedy makes it suitable to treat interstitial
cystitis.
This remedy is a variation of Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan which resolves
Damp-Heat from the Bladder occurring against a background of Kidney
deficiency. I have modified it by adding more herbs that drain Damp-Heat
from the Bladder and treat Painful-Urination Disorder (Lin
disease), i.e. Qu Mai, Che Qian Zi, Bian Xu, Bi Xie and Yi Yi Ren.
Huang Qi and Chai Hu have been added to lift Qi: I have done this
because, in my experience, in many chronic urinary disorders, especially
in women, there is sinking of Spleen- and Kidney-Qi.
I have added Gan Cao and Bai Shao because these two herbs in combination
stop pain and "moderate urgency": the urgency, frequency
and burning on urination are a typical example of a situation where
one would adopt the treatment principle of "moderating urgency".
Tu Si Zi was added to tonify the Kidneys and Ze Lan to drain Dampness
and invigorate Blood. Given the relationship of mutual interchange
between Blood and Body Fluids, invigorating Blood helps to drain
Dampness.
Mental-emotional pattern
Keyword: breakthrough
This remedy tonifies the Kidneys in chronic situations. The Kidneys
house the Will-Power (Zhi) and are responsible not only for will-power
but also drive and determination. A chronic Kidney deficiency causes
a lack of will-power and drive and causes the person to be depressed
and lack vitality.
In addition, when the chronic Kidney deficiency gives rise to the
retention of Dampness in the Bladder, people will feel weighed down
and often victimized. Life is hard, everything is too much and they
have a feeling they cannot cope. The Heat in the Bladder also causes
them to feel irritable. Strengthening the Kidneys will give these
people strength, drive and determination that allows them to cast
away the role of victim and take control of their life: this increases
Kidney strength itself will contribute to the dispelling of the
Dampness that weighs them down, hence the "breakthrough".
Cautions and contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnancy.
Classical antecedent
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan Anemarrhena-Phellodendron-Rehmannia
Pill.
Comparison with existing remedies
Separate Clear and Turbid.
Both Separate Clear and Turbid and Water Passages treat chronic
urinary infections. However, Separate Clear and Turbid is primarily
for Dampness in the urinary passages against a background of Spleen-Qi
and Kidney-Yang deficiency. Water Passages is for chronic urinary
infections occurring against a background of Kidney-Yin deficiency
and Damp-Heat in the urinary passages.
NOTE
Please note that the new remedies will be available approximately
by the middle of September 2004.
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