Author: Various
Source: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008)
Category: Formulas that Tonify Qi
Pattern: Minor Spleen Qi deficiency due to weakness of Stomach Qi
Key Symptoms: Indigestion, tiredness, loss of appetite, loose stool
Ingredients
|
Da Zao
| 600g | |
|
Pinyin: Da Zao
Chinese: 大枣
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Jujubae
English: Jujube Berry / Black Date / Chinese Date |
|
Tastes: Sweet, warm
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Heart |
Actions & Indications:
- Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach and augments Qi
Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with weakness, shortness of breath, lassitude, anorexia and loose stools
- Nourishes the Blood and calms the Spirit
Blood Deficiency
Restless Organ Syndrome with wan complexion, irritability and severe emotional debility
- Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs
Added to formulas with to counter harsh, drying and draining herbs by fortifying the Spleen, nourishing Blood and settling the Spirit.
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light and prolong life. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
|
Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
Cautions: It is used with cautions in cases of damp-phlegm or food stagnation because it can help dampness produce heat, and induce distention in middle energizer. |
|
|
Bai Jiu
| 950ml | | |
Pinyin: Jiu
Chinese: 酒
Pharmaceutical: Alcohol
English: Rice Wine |
|
Tastes: Hot, pungent, sweet, bitter, toxic
Meridians Entered: Stomach, Heart, Lung and Liver, but reaches every part of the body |
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
|
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. |
|
Subsitutions:
Bai Jiu (white alcohol) traditionally means distilled rice wine but can be substituted with any clear 40% spirit.
Preparation: Place the Da Zao in a large jar and soak in 950ml of alcohol and seal the lid. Later (no time specified but probably 1 month), remove the dregs and store for use. Take 10-40ml three times per day.
Actions: Tonifies the Qi and fortifies the Spleen, nourishes the Blood and promotes digestion
Contraindications: Damp-Heat conditions and long term use due to the harmful effects on continuous alcohol consumption.
Notes:
The mildness of this formula means it is probably intended as an after dinner digestif.
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.
