Guide to Chinese Herbology

[Aetherous]

Another important note about understanding Chinese single herbs, in my opinion...

When you see the actions and indications listed, such as:

"he shou wu, tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes the blood, and augments the essence: for patterns of yin or blood deficiency with such signs as dizziness, blurred vision, premature greying of hair, etc"...

Those are (almost? nearly?) always taken out of context from formulas that the herb was first used in. For instance, the above is taken from the formula qi bao mei ran dan, or when he shou wu is seen combined with gou qi zi, bu gu hi, and tu si zi.

The question is...does the single herb do these things on its own, out of the formula's context, or without those combined herbs? Maybe sometimes, but maybe not.

In modern practice, this fact (that the actions and indications aren't truly representative of what the single herb does on its own) is overlooked, and it's believed that if you simply pair two herbs with the same actions and indications together, that they will have that effect. This combination theory is called dui yao. Maybe it will work. But it's practicing without understanding the true aspects of the herbs. It's like Chinese herbalists played the 'telephone' game as the centuries passed, and the message became third hand, fourth hand info, as it was changed over time. The modern materia medica is not how the herbs were used in the Han dynasty, by any means...it's a viewpoint late in the game, from a certain perspective (where they looked at how the herbs were used in various classical formulas, and try to extract what that herb is contributing to the formula).

For instance, the Shang Han Lun has an entirely different way of understanding how to create a formula, based on the herbs having five element correlations, as well as the major things the herbs treated on their own, and many of the formulas used to derive single herb actions and indications are based off of Shang Han Lun formulas. Yet, those five element correlations aren't how people create formulas today...probably 99.9% of herbalists are unaware of how to construct a formula in that way.

Basically...the modern materia medica is good for getting a general overview of what the herbs have done in various formulas (without listing the formulas half the time), so we can get a second hand perspective of what they might do on their own. It can be useful if you're able to separate the wheat from the chaff, and keep this understanding in mind. It's still confusing if you believe that the materia medica actually represents what the single herbs would do if you just took them on their own (unless it says it's used as a single herb) or in random combination.

Western herbalism and common sense says, "herb A does this to treat that". Modern Chinese herbalism says, "herb A might have done this in formulas B and C, so because it likely does this, we can say that it might treat that".

Two with the same action and indication might not actually mutually accentuate each other.

[Gerard]

I am not advocating taking herbs alone. That would be foolish. Herbs need to be combined according to the following structure:

 

Chief herb. This herb has the greatest effect upon the principle problem and it is the most important ingredient. It is the energetic and therapeutic focus of the entire formula.

 

Deputy herb. These herbs support the Chief herb in the treatment of the principle problem. Deputy herbs usually address secondary signs and symptoms.

 

Assistant herb. The role of assistant herb is to support, and reinforce the effect of other herbs. They also help moderate or eliminate any harsh properties of herbs within the formula

 

Envoy herbs. Envoy herbs harmonise, guide, and focus the action of the entire formula on certain meridians or areas of the body.

 

The art and skill of creating a formula lies within choosing the precise and most effective herbs that target an individuals disharmony. It is important to work a qualified herbalist who can prescribe correct formula, monitor progress and adjust it as needed.

 

HOWEVER, there are herbs that can be taken alone:

 

Ganoderma (lingzhi). It can be used alone to tonify Qi and Blood.

Dried longan fruit (long yan rou).Use singly in porridge for weak people, people recovering from illness, old people and women after delivery.It can be used alone to treat Spleen and Heart Deficiency.

 

 

The following (and extremely useful) article discusses the importance of tonifying the kidneys especially for IMA people that train seriously and or meditators that need the extra boost due to lower back blockage:

 

Rehmannia Six

 

Some of the herbs listed towards the end of the link are very powerful at clearing lower back blockages (Du Zhong, Du Huo, Sang Ji Sheng, *Gou Ji) resulting from decades of postural habit (sitting in front of a computer, student's life). Very, very bad for the kidney especially those people with a low percentage in Water according to the Ba Zi chart

 

*Gou Ji. Very Yang herb, so use with caution. Check with local herbalist.

*Rou Gui. Excellent herb for opening the channels. Also check with herbalist prior to use.

[Andrei]

In the Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas and Strategies is written that any traditional formula has 4 ranks of herbs:

The chief (monarch ruler ling emperor) is the main ingredientdirected against and has the greater effect upon the principal pattern pr disease. this ingredient is absolutely indispensable to the formula.

 

The deputy (minister, adjutant, associate) has two functions, aids the chief ingredient in treating the principal pattern or disease and serves as a main ingredient against a coexisting pattern or disease.

 

Assistant (adjutant) has three funtions: helpful assistant reinforces the effect if the chief or deputy or directly treats a less important aspect of disease. Corective assistant moderates or eliminates the toxicity of the chief or deputy ingredients or moderates their harsh properties. Opposing assistant has an effect that is opposite that of chief ingredient and is used in very serious and complex disorders.

 

Envoy (messenger, guide, conductant) has two functions: focuses the actions of the formula on a certain channel or area of the body, and harmonizes and integrates the actions of the other ingredients.

 

Not all formula contain the full hierarchy of ingredients. In fact is unusual to include all the various types of deputies, assistants and envoys. Many formulas consist of only a chief and one or two deputy ingredients. If the chief snd deputies are not toxic there is no need for corrective assistants.

 

All the formulas are synergistic not antagonistic, except in rare cases. I agree that the herbalist should take into account the 5 elements and this is the reason why you have such a freedom to exclude or include certain ingredients into a formula any way you want.

 

So you may miss a lot of ingredients from a formula except the main ingredient. But In the case of He Shou Wu it was used traditionally as just one ingredient without any assistants.

 

Please read this:

http://www.itmonline.org/arts/hoshouwu.htm

Edited May 8, 2016 by Andrei

[Aetherous]

But In the case of He Shou Wu it was used traditionally as just one ingredient without any assistants.

 

With true knowledge of the herbs, they could be used individually in ways that the materia medica doesn't reveal. My post was pointing toward true knowledge, not disparaging anyone here.

 

Cool story about the first use of he shou wu, thanks!

[Gerard]

Andrei, yes He Shou Wu can be taken alone as a longevity tonic, following tradition. For your condition, jaundice, look into an specific formula. You are a Water Rat, are you? Excess Water gives rise to Wood, so you naturally are conflicting with the Earth element. The adequate prescription will address this fundamental condition. Also where you live is not suited to your health, way to much water and cold weather that will have a very negative effect in your overall health and spiritual practice. Ideally you should be living in an area where Earth and Fire elements are present, i.e. desertic or semi-desertic region, continental

dry climate. Daoist medicine is far beyond the material medica and the changes introduced by Mao Zedong in Chinese Medicine, mainly removing all the Qigong and Ritual Magic methods and trying to accommodate to Western materialist rationalism. Very unfortunate.

 

Lastly, have you introduced some Feng Shui changed in your home to boost the Earth and Fire elements you need?

 

Best!