This is how to analyse the therapeutic functions of the various decoctions part 130

Article part 24 published on 17 may,2022 posted here due to technical fault 

Hey, I'm back to continue on today's topic which is the selection and reason why they are the minister's herbs in the decoction:

• Xi Xin
• Sheng Jiang
• Zi Wan
• Kuan Dong Hua      

This is how to analyse the therapeutic functions of the various decoctions(part 24).

Let's start with the threshold established so far:

Association to a specific Meridian Channel

Xi Xin is also better known as Asarum Heterotropoides (Manchurian Wildginger), and the whole plant is used.

It is associated with the:

• Lung
• Kidney - Meridian Channels respectively

Therefore Xi Xin has a direct link to the Lung and travels there to supplement and fuel the power of the monarch's herbs in softening and hence removing the cold phlegm.

As a rule of thumb, it is very appropriate to apply:

• (Xin Wen San Han Zhi Tong Tong Bi) 

whenever Xi Xin is used.

This means the combined application of: 

• the pungent or spicy taste
• warming effect

to disperse the cold accumulation and warm up the Lung to soften the cold phlegm to be readily coughed out and dissolved.  The primary healing properties of Xi Xin are as follows:

• Disperse cold to reduce aches such as migraine
• Ease asthma and subdue cough

Sheng Jiang is better known as the Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) and only the underground stem is used. 

It is associated with:

• Lung
• Spleen
• Stomach - Meridian Channels respectively.

Again as a rule of thumb, apply:

• (Xin Wen Wen Fei Zhi Ke) 

whenever Sheng Jiang is used.

The primary healing properties of  Sheng Jiang are as follows:

• Eliminate and prevent vomit
• Ease cold cough

Zi Wan is better known as Aster Tataricus and only the root and the underground stem are used.

It is associated with:

• Lung - Meridian Channel only 

Again as a rule of thumb, apply:

• (Ku Gan Wen Zhi Ke Hua Tan)

whenever Zi Wan is used.

The primary healing properties of Zi Wan are as follow:

• Dissolve phlegm and subdue cough due to Lung overall deficiency

Kuan Dong Hua is better known as Tussilago Farfara L and only the bud is used.

It is associated with:

• Lung - Meridian Channel only 

Again as a rule of thumb, apply:

(Xin Wen Zhi Ke Hua Tan)

whenever Kuan Dong Hua is used.

The primary healing properties of Kuan Dong Hua are as follows:

• Ease cough by dissolving cold phlegm

Complementary Effect

Over here, it is commonly applied in TCM that Kuan Dong Hua would complement Zi Wan to dissolve phlegm in a super, super manner to ease a cough.

Specific Taste

Xi Xin possesses a pungent or spicy taste.  

Sheng Jiang possesses a pungent or spicy taste.

Zi Wan possesses a sweet taste inclined to bitterness on the contrary.

Kuan Dong Hua possesses a pungent or spicy taste.

Specific Properties

Next, I'll touch on the specific property of 

• Xi Xin which is warm.
• Sheng Jiang is lukewarm.
• Zi Wan is lukewarm.
• Kuan Dong Hua is warm.

The overall warm effect would complement the monarch's herbs to strengthen the healing power above. This is very clear that the whole decoction would soften the cold phlegm by the heat created by the minister's herbs to fulfil the mission of our topic.

I'll leave you now and return soonest to commence on the next topic. 

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There are so many other blogs out there but none teach you why, when and where to use the relevant herbs, only I give the reasons for 3 W; why, when and where.

Best of all,

Xiong(Sian)

***Reference:

( Emperor's Interior Sutra is available on sales better known as the esoteric scripture of the yellow emperor in Amazon, it's just a different way of naming the book cover)

June 26, 2026 Tags : This is How to analyse the Therapeutic functions of the various decoctions (part 130)

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