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
Xu 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.
The Specific Property of:
- Sheng Jiang
is lukewarm.
The Specific Property of:
- Zi Wan
is lukewarm.
The Specific Property of:
- 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.
Best of all,
Xiong
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