|
THEORY
of CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
The Theory - Engineering Principles
Chinese herbs
are selected and combined in formulas based on principles that have no
relation whatsoever to bio-chemistry. The vast
majority of herbal treatments use formulas containing four or more herbs.
Only a few herbs are used by themselves alone. There are several reasons for
this.
-
To affect
related secondary aspects of the illness.
-
To prevent
the formula from causing side effects or illness by balancing it’s
effects.
-
To
strengthen the effect on the pathology.
One commonly
used format or template for designing herbal formulas is based on the
monarchical form of government. At the top is the king or emperor. Next are
the ministers or deputies. Last are the assistants or adjutants. There is
one special role assistant - that of guide or messenger herb. A memory trick
to remember this template is to consider it as radio station KMAG.
Any herb can
fill any of these roles. Which role depends on which herbal formula the herb
is used in. They roles work together in these ways:
King Herb
- The herb which is directed to and has the strongest effect on the most
important imbalance/pathology
Minister Herb
- This herb is directed to the main imbalance/pathology and to the secondary
imbalance/pathology
Assistant Herb
- there are three types:
-
1) Helpful Assistant - strengthens the effect of the King
-
2) Corrective Assistant - reduces or eliminates the harsh or toxic effects
of the King and/or Minister herbs
-
3) Opposing Assistant - decreases the effect of the King. This role is
mostly used for complex combinations of imbalances/pathologies.
Guide - Envoy - Messenger Herb
- focuses actions of the other herbs on a particular organ, channel or
region of the body.
The KMAG
template is presently the dominant method of designing a formula but several
others have been very important and are in common use today. Chinese herbs
are selected for use in a formula by any single characteristic or
combination of all characteristics.
|
HERB
TEMPERATURE |
|
HOT
|
WARM |
NEUTRAL
|
COOL
|
COLD
|
| |
|
5
ELEMENT TASTE OF THE HERB |
|
WATER |
WOOD |
FIRE |
EARTH |
METAL |
|
SALTY
|
SOUR |
BITTER
|
SWEET |
SPICY |
| |
|
DIRECTION OF THE HERB |
|
UP |
DOWN
|
OUTWARD |
INWARD |
| |
CHANNELS WHICH THE HERB ENTERS
When taken internally the herb's properties enter channels affecting the
connected organs and regions of the body. |
HERB ENERGETICS by Category of Effect on Qi
| |
|
DIAPHORETICS
|
RELEASE THE
EXTERIOR |
| ANTI-PYRETICS
|
CLEAR
HEAT |
|
PURGATIVES |
DRAIN
DOWNWARD |
| No
Translation |
HARMONIZING |
|
MOSTURIZING |
MOISTEN
DRYNESS |
| No
Translation |
WARM THE
INTERIOR |
|
STRENGTHEN |
TONIFYING, NOURISHING |
|
DIGESTIVE |
REGULATE
QI of MIDDLE |
| BLOOD
REGULATING |
MOVE
COAGULATED BLOOD |
| BLOOD
REGULATING |
STOP
BLEEDING |
|
ASTRINGENT |
STABILIZE & CONTAIN |
| SEDATIVE
|
CALM the
SHEN |
| ANTI-CONVULSANT |
ELIMINATE WIND |
| No
Translation |
ELIMINATE PHLEGM |
|
RESUCITATING |
OPEN the
SENSES |
There are two
objectives of this section. The first is to introduce the lay person to
Chinese Herbology. The second is to demonstrate the complexity of the
formulas. After even this cursory study it will be apparent that a lay
person should consult a professional before using Chinese medicinal herbs.
A Brief History |
Analysis of Si Jun Zi Rx |
Examples of Formulas |
Single Herbs |
Processing |
