Posted by Hombre on June 14, 2010, at 2:54:44
In reply to Re: Temperature/Humidity Energy Levels, posted by Lao Tzu on June 13, 2010, at 14:49:28
A very fundamental formula in Chinese medicine is called "Si Jun Zi Tang" which means Four Gentlemen Decoction. These days we can get it as teapills, or "Wan", so the name becomes "Si Jun Zi Wan". As expected, it contains 4 very well known herbs for tonifying Qi and the spleen:
(http://www.chineseherbsdirect.com/four-gentlemen-teapills-si-jun-zi-tang-wan-p-122.html)
Codonopsis pilosula root, Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome-fried, Poria cocos fungus, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root. - Dang shen, Chao bai zhu, Fu ling, Gan cao.
Contraindicated for conditions due to excess. Contraindicated during the early stages of acute illness such as cold and flu, or during an acute infection.
This formula is the basis for many other formulas that involve tonifying Qi and the spleen. For example, another well known formula is "Liu Jun Zi Tang" or Six Gentlemen Decoction. As you may have guessed, it contains 6 herbs. Two herbs have been added to Si Jun Zi Tang to transform dampness, expel phlegm (TCM phlegm), and to help the stomach Qi to descend (probably aid motility):Codonopsis pilosula root, Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome, Poria cocos fungus, Citrus reticulata peel, Pinellia ternata rhizome, Ziziphus jujuba fruit, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root, Zingiber officinale rhizome-fresh. - Dang shen, Bai zhu, Fu ling, Chen pi, Ban xia, Da zao, Gan cao, Sheng jiang.
Here's a nice little analysis of Si Jun Zi Tang:(http://www.plumdragonjow.com/sijun.html)
An In Depth Analysis of the Qi Tonic Si Jun Zi tang (Four Gentlemans Decoction)
Si Jun Zi Tang is one of 2 classical tonic formulas that are among the most popular classical base formulas in existence, and mark a great starting place for academic study and growth in understanding formula strategies. The formula can be used as is, or modified in a number of ways for variying actions and purposes; many of the common modifications of Si Jun Zi Tang transform it into a myriad of other commonly seen classical formulas that treat similar but different issues.
Below are the ingredients for Si Jun Zi Tang and a set of common measurements for each herb. These measurements are not to be strictly adhered to and will vary depending on the source. Most sources will cite a range. We have chosen to omit absolute measurements and speak in terms of ratios:
* Ren Shen (Ginseng) 3 parts
* Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 3 parts
* Fu Ling (Poria) 3 parts
* Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-friend Licorice) 2 partsThe first herb, Ren Shen, is a strong qi tonic. As the chief herb in the formula, Ginseng strongly tonifies yuan qi, strengthens the spleen and stomach, and helps with yang deficiency to benefit the kidneys. Ginseng is used for serious or generalized weakness, fatigue, weak labored breathing, and a number of other symptoms that point to a significant degree of fatigue or lack of energy in the body. Ginseng is also an herb that becomes more useful as one ages--individuals below about 30 years of age will receive little to no benefit from the use of Ginseng, primarily because of its ability to tonify yuan qi. Ren Shen (especially the red steamed version) is very warming and works at a deep level in the body, and can complicate problems when there is excess heat, high blood pressure, or similar types of excess patterns. Used properly however, can be a powerful herb for use during serious athletic training. Often times, Ren Shen is substituted with Dang Shen, Codonopsis Root. We will discuss this substitution below.
Bai Zhu, the white form of Atractylodes Rhizome is a strong spleen tonic that supplements qi and combats both problems with digestion (from its associaation with the spleen) as well as issues with fatigue, poor apetitie, shortness of breath, and weakenss. Bai Zhu also strengthens the wei qi that corresponds in part to the bodys immune system and enhances its ability to fight off external pathogens. Lastly, Bai Zhu dries excess dampness, primarily from spleen malfunction. The White Atractylodes is a warm, drying herb that helps to tonify, move, and circulate. Many tonic herbs are sweet and cloying, but Bai Zhu also has a degree of movement to it. In patterns of excess dampness, one can see the manifestations of edema, and a weak, weighed-down type of feeling. Bai Zhu helps combat this by entering the Spleen and Stomach meridian to strengthen and tonify while also moving and transforming dampness to "lift" the body out of its perceived weighed-down feeling.
Fu Ling (Poria) is a white crusty fungus that grows on trees--it is essentially a mushroom. It is not surprising from its pourous look and feel that Fu Ling excels at draining dampness and reducing associated swelling to break up states of phlegm (a highly congealed form of dampness). Fu Ling, along with the other herbs discussed, is a qi tonic used in some cases to combat dizziness, and carries some of the benefits that other types of muhroom-like fungi boast. Fu Ling has a neutral property to it, giving it a versatility to be used in cooling or warming formulas. Additionally, Fu Ling can also be an important herb to aid in drying up and pushing out waste that is produced where blood or other fluids have pooled under the skin due to injury.
Zhi Gan Cao is the honey-fried Licorice root. Zhi Gan Cao is a Qi tonic, most specifically Spleen Qi. While Zhi gan Cao is a Qi tonic at its core, it also servers other functions. One for which it has notable mention is this roots ability to "harmonize" the function of other herbs in the formula. Harmonize here means that it helps the other herbs work in concert, have a smoother effect rather than a harsh peak and dropoff; it may in certain cases also reduce side-effects of strong herbs or mitigate the toxicity of toxic herbs. Zhi Gan Cao also has the ability to reduce inflammation in certain cases, and can alleviate pain and spasm. However, because of its dampening, tonic nature, those who tend towards edema should use Licorice root carefully.
From the above descriptions, we find that Su Jun Zi Tang as a whole has a fairly moderate, but well thought out group of herbs that focus on tonifying/strengthening the spleen and in small part, kidney yang, which in turn allows the body to more eficiently produce energy and eliminate dampness, leading to a less weighted down feeling, more free feeling in te limbns, and a more energetic feeling in the body. Consuming this formula occasionally when you are healthy can help tonify, resolve residual dampness, and maintain well functioning energy production.
There are a few well-studied modifications to the Four Gentlemans recipe above. These modifications follow below:
When an individual has a pronounced tendency towards a damp, weighted feeling, possibly poor apetite, edema and stagnation in the body, the recipe can be modified. We want something that can help increase circulation to resolve the dampness, to clear the stagnation. Here, tonification has become less important, and resolving the excess has become more important.
Treated Ban Xia, or Pinellia Rhizome, is an herb used to resolve dampness. Its warm, drying nature gives it a great ability to break dampness and dry phlegm and congealed fluids.
Chen Pi is aged citrus peel. Classified as an herbs that regulates Qi, it helps to circulate in the middle portion of the body. This allows it to aid other herbs in the formula in breaking up dampness, allowing the body to regain fluidity in motion for normal unimpeded operation. Chen Pi is also a drying herb, and works with Ban Xia to dry residual dampness and phlegm.Combining the above 2 herbs creates the classical formula, Six Gentleman, or Liu Jun Zi Tang. Liu Jun Zi Tang, while still a Qi tonic at its core, addresses a slightly more clearing aspect that is necessary for those who have dampness, or may tend towards dampness easily when using Si Jun Zi Tang.
---While one can consider the use of individual herbs, formulas are interesting because some herbs help other herbs (harmonize, e.g. licorice) and others help to sort of take the edge off other herbs. Formulas should be considered as entities themselves, not just the sum of parts. One may even judiciously combine formulas even if there is some overlap, but as usual caution is advised. But really, herbs are pretty mild and the use of tonic herb formulas can greatly improve chronic conditions.
poster:Hombre
thread:948628
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20100516/msgs/951006.html