Author: Various
Source: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008)
Category: Formulas that Expel Wind
Pattern: Blood deficiency with Wind-Damp obstruction of the lower back
Key Symptoms: Lower back pain, numbness of the extremities, dizziness and vertigo
Ingredients
Zhi He Shou Wu
| 180g | |
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Pinyin: He Shou Wu
Chinese: 何首乌
Pharmaceutical: Radix Polygoni Multiflori Praeparata
Taxonomy: Polygonum multiflorum
English: Fleeceflower Root / Flowery Knotweed Root / Climbing Knotwood / Chinese Corn-bind / Fo-Ti
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Tastes: Bitter, sweet and astringent, slightly warm
Meridians Entered: Kidney and Liver
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Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes the Blood and nourishes Jing (Zhi He Shou Wu)
Blood Deficiency with dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia and premature graying of the hair
Yin Deficiency with lower back and knee weakness and pain, soreness of the extremities, nocturnal emissions and insomnia
Jing Deficiency
- Expels Wind from the skin by nourishing the Blood (Zhi He Shou Wu)
Wind-Rash due to Blood Deficiency
- Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels (Sheng He Shou Wu)
Constipation due to Blood Deficiency
- Relieves Fire Toxin (Sheng He Shou Wu)
Fire toxin carbuncles, sores, scrofula, goiter and neck lumps (Chuang Yung)
- Checks malarial disorders (Sheng He Shou Wu)
Malarial disorders with Qi and Blood Deficiency
- Tonifies the Blood while suppressing Parasites
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 9-30g in decoction.
Cautions: Stir-baked Shou Wu is contraindicated for accumulated damp-phlegm because of its astringent properties and its strongly tonifying action. Raw He Shou Wu is contraindicated for loose stool because it can smooth stool. |
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Yi Yi Ren
| 120g | |
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Pinyin: Yi Yi Ren
Chinese: 薏苡仁
Pharmaceutical: Semen Coicis
Taxonomy: Coix lacryma-jobi
English: Job's Tears / Chinese Pearl Barley
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Tastes: Sweet, Bland, Slightly Cold
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Lung
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Actions & Indications:
- Strengthens the Spleen and resolves Dampness
Dampness Stagnation or Spleen Deficiency Dampness with diarrhoea, leg Qi, painful urinary dribbling
Damp-Warmth (treats root and manifestations)
- Expels Wind-Dampness and relieves pain
Wind-Damp Bi (increases joint mobility and decreases spasms in chronic cases) for stiffness of the muscles, severe arthralgia and joint immobility
- Clears Heat and expels pus
Soft, pustulated carbuncles, Lung and Intestinal abscess
- Clears Damp-Heat
Any Damp-Heat condition at any level with a greasy, white tongue coat and digestive problems
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Standard Dosage: 9-30g in decoction.
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Bai Jiu
| 1.3L | | |
Pinyin: Jiu
Chinese: 酒
Pharmaceutical: Alcohol
English: Rice Wine
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Tastes: Hot
Meridians Entered: Reaches every part of the body
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Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes and moves Blood and Qi, opens the Meridians
Taken internally or applied topically as the medium for liniments in Blood stasis, especially from trauma or Bi syndromes in the elderly
- Warms Yang and Expels Cold
All Cold syndromes including Cold Bi, Interior Cold and Yang deficiency
Often serves as the basis for longevity "elixirs" by soaking Yang tonifying herbs
- Strengthens the Shen, dispels sorrow and promotes happiness
Temporary low mood, celebration
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Standard Dosage: 10-60ml, two to three times per day. Often combined with other herbs to bring out their Blood moving or warming aspects by washing them, or adding to a decoction, or soaking herbs in alcohol to make medicinal wines.
Cautions: Caution with Damp-Heat syndromes or long term consumption in the young and middle aged.
The Materia Dietetica (Shiwu Bencao 食物本草) by Lu He 卢和 from the Ming Dynasty says that excess drinking can hurt the spirit and consume blood, damage the stomach and deplete the body fluid, produce phlegm and induce fire. |
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Subsitutions:
Bai Jiu (white alcohol) traditionally means rice wine but can be substituted with any other high strength spirit.
Preparation: Soak the above ingredients in 1.3L of alcohol for 15 days. Take 2 small teacups twice per day.
Actions: Nourishes the Blood, dispel Wind-Dampness, stops pain
Contraindications: Damp-Heat conditions, pregnancy and long term in the young and middle aged use due to the harmful effects on continuous alcohol consumption.
Research Links:
Reference Notes: (click to display)
Most formulas are found in Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet (2009): Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies and Chen & Chen (2015) Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Others are from translations of primary sources. It is recommended that the original material is cross-referenced for mistakes and additional information.
Substitutions have been taken from Ken Lloyd & Prof. Leung (2004): Mayway UK Substitution List or the above publications and are intended as suggestions to help navigate the tight restrictions in the UK quickly. More applicable substitutions may be appropriate in specific situations.
Individual herb information has initially been sourced from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.