Astringent herbs - general info

[Guest guest]

The class of Astringent herbs includes herbs that taste sour as well as

those that taste astringent. Both tastes have what Wicke calls a

" tightening action " and they stop leaks. But there are some differences

between the actions of sour and astringent. Sour tasting herbs tend to be

warming and moistening whereas astringent herbs tend to be cooling and

drying. This can be important when choosing herbs for treating conditions

like diarrhea which can have many different causes. For example, Fr Pruni

Mume (unripe umeboshi plum) has a sour taste (warms and moistens) and stops

diarrhea. This herb shouldn't be used by itself in cases of Damp Heat

diarrhea but needs to be combined with herbs that are bitter and cold to

offset the heating and moistening effects.

 

The Organs most in need of astringing are the Lungs, the Large Intestine,

and the Kidneys. The Lungs control sweating so Astringent herbs that

specifically target the Lungs may be required in cases of excessive

sweating. Usually excessive sweating is coming from an underlying Qi and/or

Yin Deficiency so you're going to want to be taking care of the Root Qi

and/or Yin Deficincy with Qi tonics and Yin tonics. You may also want to be

helping the Spleen and Lungs in general, the Organs most connected with Qi

in the body. So why might you need an Astringing herb if you're taking care

of the underlying Root of the sweating with Qi and/or Yin tonics? Because

in cases of extreme sweating the sweating can hurt Yin and weaken Qi. Think

of the analogy of trying to fill a bucket that has a hole in it. It can

take a very, very long time to fill that bucket if water is leaking out

almost as quickly as you put it in. Also, you have to keep filling the

bucket. But milder cases of Qi Deficiency and sweating or Yin Deficiency and

sweating may not require Astringing herbs.

 

Astringent herbs sometimes are used in the treatment of Kidney Yang and/or

Kidney Yin Deficiency and leakage of Kidney Jing (Essence).

 

In cases of diarrhea, Astringing herbs may be used to treat cases due to

Excess as well as those due to Deficiency. In cases of Deficiency, we're

talking about underlying Spleen Deficiency which often manifests as loose

stools. The tightening action of Astringing herbs can help to prevent the

leakage of fluids and nutrients into the lumen of the intestines. In cases

of diarrhea due to Excess the tightening action may be needed to prevent

dehydration. (Information taken from Wicke, vol. 2, p. 137).

 

Victoria

 

_______________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

 

Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at

http://profiles.msn.com.