Hey, I'm back to continue on today's topic which is the selection and reasons why they are the 4th Division Officer's herbs in the decoction.
The three 4th Division Officer's herbs are:
- Wu Wei Zi
- Fa Ban Xia
- Shao Yao
Yes and thank you very much for the messages. I did received messages from readers that I should include the formula for Gui Zhi Tang for easy identification and discrimination of the main formula and the shadow.
So here is the original version of the Gui Zhi Tang:- Sheng Jiang
- Gui Zhi
- Shao Yao
- Da Zao
- Gan Cao
The Shadow is:- Gan Jiang
- Gui Zhi
- Shao Yao
- Gan Cao
Over here, there is no shadow of Da Zao as it is also functioning as: - coordinator to tie up with the monarch and minister herbs to enhance the therapeutic effect of the decoction as well as directly treat minor complications.
- slow down agent to weaken the strong effect of monarch and minister herbs.
Therefore Da Zao is used not in Xiao Qing Long Tang as not necessary because of the presence of Gan Cao.
Let's analyse them in detail with the thresholds established.
The scientific name for the Shao Yao is: Paeonia Lactiflora or better known as the Peony plant and only the root is used. A peony is a bright red flower.
- Sheng Jiang
- Gui Zhi
- Shao Yao
- Da Zao
- Gan Cao
The Shadow is:
- Gan Jiang
- Gui Zhi
- Shao Yao
- Gan Cao
Over here, there is no shadow of Da Zao as it is also functioning as:
- coordinator to tie up with the monarch and minister herbs to enhance the therapeutic effect of the decoction as well as directly treat minor complications.
- slow down agent to weaken the strong effect of monarch and minister herbs.
The scientific name for the Shao Yao is: Paeonia Lactiflora or better known as the Peony plant and only the root is used. A peony is a bright red flower.
First of all, Shao Yao is divided into 2 types namely:- Bai Shao - (white)
- Chi Shao - (red)
The difference between them is:- The former is cultivated and thus becomes plump and straight,
- The latter is a natural wild herb and so is thin.
- Bai Shao - (white)
- Chi Shao - (red)
The difference between them is:
- The former is cultivated and thus becomes plump and straight,
- The latter is a natural wild herb and so is thin.
Association to the Specific Meridian Channels
Bai Shao is associated with the following meridian channels:
- Liver
- Spleen - Meridian Channels respectively
- Liver
- Spleen - Meridian Channels respectively
Chi Shao is associated with the following meridian channels:- Liver Meridian Channel
Bai Shao is suitably used for these purposes:- antispasmodic
- analgesic
- menstrual
It is especially effective for women's abdominal pain, stomach cramps, dizziness, gout and diuresis.
Chi Shao is suitably used for these purposes:- dispersing stasis
- promoting blood circulation
- relieving pain
Specific Taste
The Specific Taste of Shao Yao:
Bai Shao - is bitter and sourChi Shao - is bitter
- Liver Meridian Channel
- antispasmodic
- analgesic
- menstrual
- dispersing stasis
- promoting blood circulation
- relieving pain
Specific Property
The specific property of :
Bai Shao and Chi Shao - both are slightly cold
The rest of the 2 herbs:- Wu Wei Zi
- Fa Ban Xia
will not be discussed here as they are already explained in the previous blogs. The same would be applied to Shao Yao and you can refer to it whenever you come across Bai Shao and Chi Shao in the future.
However, it is necessary to point out the primary functions of the 3 herbs in the decoction.- Wu Wei Zi - astringe air (Qi) in the Lung to reduce cough
- Fa Ban Xia - dissolve phlegm and eliminate carbuncle
- Shao Yao - invigorate blood
Apply (Ku Suan Han Yang Xue Lian Yin Rou Gan Zhi Tong) whenever Bai Shao is used.Apply (Ku Han Qing Re Liang Xue Zhi Tong Qu Yu) whenever Chi Shao is used.
I'll be back soonest leaving you amble time to digest this blog.
Best of all,
Xiong
***Reference:
- Wu Wei Zi
- Fa Ban Xia
- Wu Wei Zi - astringe air (Qi) in the Lung to reduce cough
- Fa Ban Xia - dissolve phlegm and eliminate carbuncle
- Shao Yao - invigorate blood
Xiong
***Reference: