Hey, I'm back to discuss today's subject in our topic and to analyse the Lu Gen and Zhu Ye as the fabulous messenger's herb in Yin Qiao San. This is how to analyse the therapeutic functions of the various decoctions. (part19）
The scientific name for the 2 herbs are:
Lu Gen - is better known as Phragmites communis and only the root part is used
Zhu Ye - is better known as Lophatherum gracile or the leaves of the plant are used
Let's analyse them in detail with the thresholds established as:
Association to the Specific Meridian Channel
- Lu Gen - is associated with Lung, Stomach
- Zhu Ye - is associated with Lung, Heart, Stomach - meridian channels respectively
Specific Taste
The specific taste of these 2 herbs are similar as follow:
- Lu Gen - Sweet
- Zhu Ye - Sweet
Apply (Qing Re Chu Fan Li Niao) whenever Zhu Ye is used.
Apply (Qing Re Sheng Jin Chu Fan) whenever Lu Gen is used.
Specific Property
The overall role for Lu Gen and Zhu Ye is to reconcile with all herbs in the decoction to a moderate and digestive level. The specific property is as follows:
- Lu Gen - Cold
- Zhu Ye - Cool
New Terminology
What is (Chu Fan) in this blog?
Literately, Chu Fan referred to as remove anxiety.
I'll discuss the anxiety here as it is necessary now and it is something to learn and apply when patients complain of some feelings within the circumference of anxiety.
The emotion (anxiety) is felt, in the patient infected with hot wind virus flu; like:
- Emotional Discomfort
- Fear
- Worry
Let's do a quick revision on how anxiety is formed.
Anxiety is a normal stress reaction and can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness and involve excessive fear.
Fear
Fear is a natural, powerful and primitive human emotion. It alerts us to defend in the presence of danger, whether physical or psychological. It is a good time to roll back to the Heart which is a 'Fire' organ in that sense, as and when necessary. The other emotion when escalated would affect the heart is 'Afraid'. Over here, I'll explain the main difference between Fear and Afraid.
- The former has an expectation or preemptive knowledge of the forthcoming event whereas the latter has no expectations at all.
Therefore the ability to remove anxiety by these 2 herbs would be an advantage to reconcile the whole decoction into a moderate and digestible one.
Another important point to note is:
There is only one type of anxiety to be found throughout the TCM perspective which is better known as Cardiac-anxiety. The TCM fundamentals covering cardiac anxiety can be referred to, in my earlier blogs on Heart and Gall Bladder.
Good practical jot book
It is good to practice jotting down certain herbs commonly used to perform specific primary healing properties like :
- Clear and remove heat accumulated in organs located above the diaphragm
- Clear and remove heat accumulated in organs located below the diaphragm
- Clear and remove heat accumulated in organs located at the abdomen
Today we've Zhu Ye jotted down as the first item under category 1.
I'll leave you more time to digest this blog.
