Intro to Herbs - Class 4.pdf - CatsTCMNotes

Course: Intro to Chinese Herbs Date: May 11, 2007Class #: 4Herbs As Guides To ChannelsDifferent herbs can serve as guides to different channels. Symptom locations often indicate whatchannel is affected by a syndrome or disease. You can then use specific herbs to direct the formula to thechannel needing assistance for greater effect.One herb can go to different channels and also there may be multiple herbs that go to a given channel.Example: Herb X may remove wind while Herb Y relieves heat, but both may go to the same channel.Chuan xiong and chai hu for example, both guide to the shaoyang channel (gallbladder and san jiao).Here’s another example:Sheng ma is in the category of “expel wind-heat.” It guides to the yangming channel which is related tothe Stomach and Large Intestine channels. When you use sheng ma as a guide to the channel you use asmaller dose than you would if you were using it for other functions.So basically, you create an herb team to perform the desired functions.How to Pair Herbs UpLook at Zheng Zeng’s handout and see the section called “Techniques for Combining Herbs.” It’s onpage 4 if you’re using the one on CatsTCMNotes.com. You need to know these, but you don’t need toknow the Chinese term for them, just the English.It’s a lot more common in herbal therapies (whether they are Eastern or Western) to find single herbuses. Usually herbs are combined to better effect.Mutual AccentuationThis is also called Mutual Necessity. This is a combination of 2 substances in the same categorywith similar function. This is better than using only one herb and accentuates the therapeuticfunction.Example:Shi gao (30g) + zhi mu(15g) for a total of 45g. This combination controls fever andlowers body temperature. Shi gao controls fever quickly, but also wears off quickly. Zhimu does the same, but takes longer to work. The upside is that zhi mu lasts longer. Thisway you get a quick and sustained effect.Other happy unions:Da huang + mang xiaoQian xie + mu gongJing jie + fang fengMa huang + gui zhiHuang lian + huang qinHuang qi + shan yaoIntroduction to Chinese Herbs – Spring 2007www.CatsTCMNotes.comPage 1 of 4

Mutual EnhancementAlso called Mutual Employment. This is a combination of 2+ substances in different categoriesand similar function. Together they give a better therapeutic result.Both of these methods, Mutual Accentuation/Necessity and Mutual Enhancement/Employment arerecommended ways to combine herbs in a clinical setting.Mutual CounteractionAlso called Mutual Suppression. There are different terms because they were from differentdynasties and eras.Regardless, this is a combination of herbs in which the toxicity of one can be reduced oreliminated by other herbs.Example: ban xia and sheng jiang. Ban xia is good for reducing phlegm, but has toxic propertiesand sheng jiang reduces this toxicity yet allows the reduction of phlegm action to work.Regardless, it’s not something you want to take long term.Mutual AntagonismAlso called Mutual Aversion, this is not something you want to happen! This refers to the abilityof 2 substances to minimize or neutralize each other’s positive effects. It’s not a deadlycombination, but it is a pointless one!Example: lai fu zi (daikon radish seed) helps with digestion and ren shen tonifies qi…but the twotogether neutralize each other!Mutual IncompatibilityAlternately called Mutual Opposition. This refers to a combination of 2herbs that creates side effects or toxicity, though neither of them in singleherb format are toxic.See the 19 Antagonisms (page 6) and the 18 Incompatibilities (page 7)Example: Ding xiang which warms the exterior + yu jin which invigorates the blood.Single EffectThis is the use of one herb to treat a syndrome or disease. Pretty rare – generally herbs are usedin combination rather than singly.NOTE:On the next quiz, ZZ may give you 2 herbs in the same or different categories and ask you whichkind of combination this is.Memorize the Chinese name in the 19 antagonisms, but only have to memorize the 1 st threecombinations (ding xiang + yu jin; ren shen + wu ling zhi; rou gui + chi zhi zhi).Memorize the 1 st and 2 nd columns on the 18 incompatibilitiesIntroduction to Chinese Herbs – Spring 2007www.CatsTCMNotes.comPage 2 of 4

Structure of FormulasSee the handout, page 5 on the web version.There are 4 basic components in an herbal formula: chief, deputy, assist, and envoy. A formula mayhave all of these components or more than one of each component (i.e., more than 1 chief, deputy,assistant, or envoy). Some formulas don’t have all four components.Chief herbAll formulas have at least one chief herb. This herb treats the most important symptom orthe most important problem. This herb has the most important function in the formula.Deputy herbThe deputy herb treats the secondary complaint or assists the chief herb in it’s function.Assistant herbThis herb has 4 possible functions1. helps the chief and deputy2. treats the tertiary complaint (if there is one)3. balances the chief and/or deputy4. counter-assists the chief/deputyEnvoy herbThis is a smaller dose leading herbs to the channel or diseased area. Alternately, itharmonizes the formula, which is also a smaller dose.Example of a formula with all 4 components:The Four Gentlemen Formula (Si Jun Zi Tang)Has all 4 components in equal measure.Chief = Ren shen. Tonifies Qi, strengthens the SpleenDeputy = Bai zhu. Strengthens the Spleen and dries dampnessAssistant = Fu ling. Drains damp and strengthens the SpleenEnvoy = Zhi gan cao. Tonifies Qi and harmonizes.Example of a formula without all 4 components:Jade Screen Powder (Yu Ping Feng San)This formula has a chief, deputy and assistant, but no envoy.Chief = Huang qi. Consolidates the exteriorDeputy = Bai zhu. Tonifies the SpleenAssistant = Fang feng. Expels interior or exterior wind.Introduction to Chinese Herbs – Spring 2007www.CatsTCMNotes.comPage 3 of 4

Herbs during breast feeding and pregnancyThis isn’t on the test, just good to know.When nursing all herbs are transmitted to the baby through the mother’s milk. Lipophilic herbs (such asanimal products and seeds) transmit more. This can be a handy thing, however, as if you need to giveherbs to a baby you can instead give them to the mother who will pass them to the baby when nursing.Herbs that promote lactationChuan mu tongChuan shan jiaDong kui jiLou luNan gua ziSi gua louTong caoWong bu liu xingZi he cuHerbs that inhibit lactationMang xiaoShen quMai yaHua jiaoAvoid these during breast feeding!!Contraindicated during pregnancy:Strong herbsToxic herbsMove blood herbsStrong Qi moving herbsYou also should avoid acu points that move blood and qi strongly – like the 4 gate combination.Introduction to Chinese Herbs – Spring 2007www.CatsTCMNotes.comPage 4 of 4