Fwd: [discusschineseherbs] Herbs & Things May 2001

[Guest guest]

Judy Fitzgerald wrote:

 

> I'm forwarding in a very good and timely article that goes into the

> energetics of herbs and why certain herbs were chosen for a particular

> formula.

>

> I usually shy away from forwarding anything in with advertising, but this

> article is so good and so timely that it would be a disservice for me not to

> forward it onto the list. Especially since there has been a question on

> here about formulas.

>

> Victoria

>

> >Colleen DeLaney <herbdocs

> >discusschineseherbs

> >discusschineseherbs

> >[discusschineseherbs] Herbs & Things May 2001

> >Thu, 24 May 2001 14:25:09 -0700

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

> >HERBS & THINGS

> >

> >for Students of Learn Chinese Herbs

> > & Other " Budding " Herbalists

> >

> >(copyright futurewavemarketing 2001: all rights reserved)

> >

> >^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

> >MAY 2001

> >

> >IN THIS ISSUE:

> >

> >* What Is Meant by an Herb’s “Energetics”?

> >* Understanding a Combination Formula

> >* Book of the Month

> >

> >^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

> >As always, we welcome your questions and comments!

> >

> >To Subscribe: send a blank email to

> >learnchineseherbs-

> >

> >To Un: send a blank email to:

> >learnchineseherbs-

> >

> >To to the newsletter, browse our bookstore,

> >or find further information on the Learn Chinese Herbs course, visit our

> >website at

> >http://www.herbdocs.com

> >

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >COLLEEN'S NOTE:

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >Because I first learned herbs by their Chinese energetics, I was

> >incredibly confused when I first started looking up western herbs. In

> >Chinese herbology each herb is categorized by its taste, temperature,

> >meridians entered, and other energetic qualities. I soon learned that

> >you could understand what an herb did just by its properties—sweet herbs

> >tended to be tonifying, bitter herbs tended to clear heat, etc. When

> >choosing an herb for a condition, you always tried to balance the herb

> >formula to the person’s constitution and symptoms—a patient with a cold,

> >weak constitution was given warming, tonifying herbs, and so on.

> >

> >Western herbs, by contrast, were described as being diuretics or

> >nervines or other odd terms that didn’t tell me anything about the

> >specific personality of that herb or how it would match up to an

> >individual patient.

> >

> >Then along came Peter Holmes’ book that took western herbs and put them

> >into an energetic context that made sense to me. (See our Book of the

> >Month, below.)

> >

> >I’m pleased to see American manufacturers of Chinese herbal formulas

> >beginning to combine herbs from both traditions in ways that make

> >energetic sense to me. I’d like to share one such formula with you

> >below.

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >JOIN OUR ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUP!

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >This address is used exclusively for disseminating our ezine. If you'd

> >like to join in on our discussions, send a blank email to:

> >

> >discusschineseherbs-

> >

> >All levels of knowledge and experience are welcomed!

> >

> >^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

> >WHAT IS MEANT BY AN HERB’S “ENERGETICS”?

> >

> >^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

> >

> >The energetic properties of an herb are phenomena that can be observed

> >and experienced, not arrived at by scientific analysis of individual

> >chemical constituents.

> >

> >I had a very intuitive non-medical friend who could hold any herb in my

> >pharmacopoeia and describe its energetics to me. “This one feels like

> >it would make you stronger,” he’d say, holding a yang tonic herb. “It

> >also feels like it would warm you up inside, make things move faster.”

> >Energetics of herbs were arrived at over thousands of years of intuiting

> >their qualities, testing them in the real-life laboratory of how people

> >responded to them, and endless replication of those results.

> >

> >Chinese herbs are grouped into categories of functions. One category

> >might be herbs that stop bleeding. Within that category are both warming

> >and cooling herbs, as well as herbs that have affinities for different

> >organ systems. To choose an herb within that category, you would look

> >to which herb would be most balancing for each patient.

> >

> >I came to think of the categories as being like families—each individual

> >in the family holds some special talent or gift, and yet they are all

> >unmistakably members of the McGregor clan, all known for their strength

> >and stubbornness, the kind of people you’d want on your side during a

> >battle. If you also wanted a McGregor who specialized in carpentry and

> >could keep a cool head under pressure, that would dramatically narrow

> >your search!

> >

> >Herbs in categories work the same way. Rather than choosing an herb for

> >its symptomatic effect—any herb known to stop bleeding—you’d first

> >choose an herb with those properties that would be energetically the

> >best fit for your patient. So, in choosing a stop bleeding herb for a

> >pre-menopausal woman with hot flashes and excessively heavy periods,

> >you’d single out one that was energetically cooling and with an affinity

> >for the Liver and Spleen channels. Other clear heat and cool the blood

> >herbs might be selected, along with some yin tonics, to augment the

> >formula.

> >

> >Herbs are also characterized by their tastes, as I indicated above. In

> >addition, the part of the herb used will also influence the direction

> >the formula might take—flower herbs tend to lead upwards, while heavy

> >roots pull energy downwards.

> >

> >Just like people, combinations of herbs can lead to new energetic

> >creations, and just like people, sometimes you just don’t put two herbs

> >together—they’ll fight!

> >

> >When constructing an herb formula that is more generic, that is, can be

> >used safely by a wide variety of people, the energetics need to be

> >balanced so the formula is neither too cooling nor heating, too

> >stimulating or sedating. The organ system most usually responsible for

> >a symptom—such as Liver Qi stagnation frequently resulting in tight,

> >sore muscles—must be addressed, and so herbs that lead to that organ are

> >selected.

> >

> >Enough generalities—here’s a concrete example.

> >

> >^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

> >UNDERSTANDING A COMBINATION FORMULA

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >

> >The Valerian Herbal formula by Zand combines Chinese herbs with Valerian

> >root to make a balanced formula that anyone can use for muscle aches or

> >spasms, tension, and sleeplessness caused by Liver Qi stagnation.

> >

> >In most cases of Liver Qi stagnation there will be some form of

> >accompanying internal Heat, so keep track of the temperatures of the

> >herbs as you move through the formula to see how it addresses the issue

> >of Heat, even though the primary herbs in the formula are warming in

> >nature.

> >

> >The formula consists of the western herbs Valerian root, Chamomile,

> >Oatstraw, and Passionflower and of the Chinese herbs Skullcap (Huang

> >Qin), Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Pueraria (Ge Gen), and Schisandra (Wu Wei

> >Zi). Calcium aspartate and magnesium aspartate are also added to the

> >formula for the effects of muscle spasms.

> >

> >Zand formulas are available over-the-counter is most health food

> >stores. You may also check their website at

> >http://www.zand.com/zand_s/discoverzand.htm

> >

> >

> >Valerian

> >-=-=-=-=-

> >

> >The principle herb, Valerian, is described by Peter Holmes as being a

> >bit sweet & bitter & pungent; warm with some cooling potential, and dry.

> >This explains the “paradoxical” reaction many people have to

> >Valerian—instead of relaxing their muscles and helping them sleep, it

> >jacks them up!

> >

> >A person who already has internal excess heat will respond differently

> >to Valerian than a person who is internally more cool and damp. The

> >patient’s constitutional make-up is always the primary concern!

> >

> >Among its other properties, Valerian moves Qi stagnation. With

> >anti-spasmodic properties, Valerian can calm both smooth muscles as well

> >as visceral muscles.

> >

> >Used by itself in tincture, Valerian should be restricted to instances

> >of Qi stagnation and yin deficiency, and never in cases of any excess,

> >full heat, fever, or inflammation. By putting Valerian into a

> >combination, some of its more stimulating and warming properties are

> >calmed. properties are calmed.

> >

> >Chamomile

> >-=-=-=-=-=

> >

> >Holmes describes Chamomile as also being a bit bitter & sweet and as

> >warm with a cooling potential. Like Valerian, it circulates the Qi,

> >eases the Liver and calms Wind, relieves pain and induces rest among

> >other uses. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Because it can

> >also act as a uterine stimulant it is not recommended during pregnancy.

> >

> >Oatstraw

> >-=-=-=-=-=

> >

> >Holmes discusses the entire plant, recommending against just the use of

> >oatstraw, i.e. just the stalk alone, as the flower has the most

> >concentrated constituents, so I will describe his comments on the entire

> >plant, understanding that the much milder aspect of it is being used in

> >this formula.

> >

> >Oats are sweet, warm, and moistening. Among other energetic functions,

> >they circulate the Qi, relax the nerves and relieve spasms, relieve pain

> >and induce rest. In addition they are nourishing to the Blood, Essence,

> >and Qi, lifting the spirits and aiding depression.

> >

> >Passionflower

> >-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

> >

> >Holmes calls Passionflower bland, cold, and dry. It cleans heat and

> >calms the spirit; drains the Yang and calms the Liver; stabilizes the

> >Heart and induces rest. It also circulates the Qi and loosens

> >constraint, relaxing the nerves, freeing spasms, and relieving

> >irritability and pain.

> >

> >We see that Passionflower because of its cold nature is just right for

> >excess conditions including stress induced insomnia and tension. It is

> >the perfect balancing herb for Valerian, and is the second strongest

> >herb in the formula. Valerian and Passionflower together in a tincture

> >would likely soothe any paradoxical responses to Valerian alone.

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >WHERE TO FIND BACK ISSUES OF HERBS & THINGS

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >For back issues, visit our website or click on:

> >

> >LearnChineseHerbs

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >

> >Now, on to the Chinese herbs used in the formula:

> >

> >

> >Skullcap (Huang Qin) Scutellaria

> >=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

> >

> >Skullcap is found in the Clear Heat and Dry Dampness category. It is

> >bitter and cold. While traditionally often used in for

> >damp heat in the Lungs, Huang Qin subdues ascendant Liver yang for

> >symptoms such as irritability and headache. Holmes adds that Huang Qin

> >circulates the Qi, loosens constraint, relaxes the nerves, frees spasms,

> >allays excitement and pain, and induces rest. As blocked Liver energy

> >is associated with anger, frustration, and feeling stuck (in traffic,

> >perhaps?), Huang Qin is a great herb for overworked, overstressed

> >Americans who need help relaxing!

> >

> >Bupleurum (Chai Hu)

> >-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

> >

> >Chai Hu is a classic, cooling Chinese herb used to raise the energy. In

> >formulas, it can guide the direction of the formula upwards. Chai Hu

> >is bitter, slightly acrid, and cool with an affinity for the Liver and

> >Gall Bladder channels. It is found in many formulas for relaxing

> >constrained Liver Qi and for disharmonies between the Liver and Spleen

> >energies. When combined with Huang Qin (skullcap) it restores

> >functioning of the Liver/Gallbladder energies, clearing and draining

> >Damp Heat smoldering in the interior.

> >

> >Pueraria (Ge Gen) Kudzu Root

> >-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

> >

> >Ge Gen is sweet, acrid, and cool. Among its functions are the ability

> >to release the muscles and clear Heat, especially relieving a stiff or

> >tight upper back and neck.

> >

> >Because Ge Gen has an affinity for the Spleen and Stomach it can be used

> >for treating diarrhea, which can sometimes be caused by herbs that are

> >energetically too cold for a person.

> >

> >Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi)

> >-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

> >

> >Schisandra is sour and warm and belongs to the category of Astringent

> >herbs, used to help the body hold in its Essence or vital fluids. The

> >previous two herbs, being acrid, can disperse the body’s energy from the

> >exterior; Schisandra balances this tendency.

> >

> >In addition, Schisandra has the quality of Calming the Spirit and is

> >useful for insomnia.

> >

> >In summary, what we have is a balanced formula consisting of a warm

> >Chief herb, Valerian, balanced by 3 other warm herbs and 4 other cool to

> >cold herbs. Various aspects of Liver Qi stagnation are addressed, from

> >relaxing the muscles to clearing Liver heat to calming the Spirit.

> >

> >In the years I’ve been using Valerian herbal I’ve yet to have any

> >reports of side effects, other than a tendency for it to be somewhat

> >sedating (though less so than using Valerian by itself), a problem

> >easily remedied by lowering the dose. It should not be used in pregnancy

> >and should not be used longer than two weeks consecutively without

> >taking a break.

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >

> >BOOK OF THE MONTH

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >

> >For this month’s book selection, visit our website at

> >http://www.herbdocs.com and scroll to the bottom of the home page.

> >

> >If you are fascinated the the energetic way of classifying herbs and

> >would like to know how various western herbs function, Peter Holmes

> >book, The Energetics of Western Herbs is a must. A highly entertaining

> >and informative body of work, Holmes gives historical background on each

> >herb as well as the Chinese versus Western ways of looking at herbs.

> >Enjoy!

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHINESE HERBS?

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

> >

> >Chinese herbology is based on understanding the body type and energetics

> >of the person being treated, and matching that person's body type

> >EXACTLY with herbs that are energetically balancing for that

> >individual.

> >

> >In our course, Learn Chinese Herbs, we explain the

> >Chinese system of asking key questions and examining a person's face,

> >tongue, and pulse to understand that

> >person's unique pattern of disharmony. Just as each person has an

> >energetic pattern, each herb and herb formula has an energetic pattern

> >designed to balance disharmony and restore healthy functioning.

> >

> >Check our web site at http://www.herbdocs.com if you would like more

> >information about the course, or if you would like to enroll in Learn

> >Chinese Herbs. Credit Card and divided payments are available.

> >

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >Colleen DeLaney is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Medical Herbologist in

> >private practice with her husband, John Struthers, L.Ac.

> >

> >Detailed instruction on Chinese herbal diagnosis and

> >treatment is available through their course, Learn Chinese Herbs. For

> >information on ordering the course, contact us at herbdocs

> >or

> >Check out our web site at

> >http://www.herbdocs.com

> >or Call us at our toll-free number at 1.888.480.2215

> >*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >To Post a message, send it to: discusschineseherbs (AT) eGroups (DOT) com

> >

> >To Un, send a blank message to:

> >discusschineseherbs- (AT) eGroups (DOT) com

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm forwarding in a very good and timely article that goes into the

energetics of herbs and why certain herbs were chosen for a particular

formula.

 

I usually shy away from forwarding anything in with advertising, but this

article is so good and so timely that it would be a disservice for me not to

forward it onto the list. Especially since there has been a question on

here about formulas.

 

Victoria

 

>Colleen DeLaney <herbdocs

>discusschineseherbs

>discusschineseherbs

>[discusschineseherbs] Herbs & Things May 2001

>Thu, 24 May 2001 14:25:09 -0700

>

>*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

>HERBS & THINGS

>

>for Students of Learn Chinese Herbs

> & Other " Budding " Herbalists

>

>(copyright futurewavemarketing 2001: all rights reserved)

>

>^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

>MAY 2001

>

>IN THIS ISSUE:

>

>* What Is Meant by an Herb’s “Energetics”?

>* Understanding a Combination Formula

>* Book of the Month

>

>^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

>As always, we welcome your questions and comments!

>

>To Subscribe: send a blank email to

>learnchineseherbs-

>

>To Un: send a blank email to:

>learnchineseherbs-

>

>To to the newsletter, browse our bookstore,

>or find further information on the Learn Chinese Herbs course, visit our

>website at

>http://www.herbdocs.com

>

>

>*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

>COLLEEN'S NOTE:

>

>*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

>Because I first learned herbs by their Chinese energetics, I was

>incredibly confused when I first started looking up western herbs. In

>Chinese herbology each herb is categorized by its taste, temperature,

>meridians entered, and other energetic qualities. I soon learned that

>you could understand what an herb did just by its properties—sweet herbs

>tended to be tonifying, bitter herbs tended to clear heat, etc. When

>choosing an herb for a condition, you always tried to balance the herb

>formula to the person’s constitution and symptoms—a patient with a cold,

>weak constitution was given warming, tonifying herbs, and so on.

>

>Western herbs, by contrast, were described as being diuretics or

>nervines or other odd terms that didn’t tell me anything about the

>specific personality of that herb or how it would match up to an

>individual patient.

>

>Then along came Peter Holmes’ book that took western herbs and put them

>into an energetic context that made sense to me. (See our Book of the

>Month, below.)

>

>I’m pleased to see American manufacturers of Chinese herbal formulas

>beginning to combine herbs from both traditions in ways that make

>energetic sense to me. I’d like to share one such formula with you

>below.

>

>*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

>JOIN OUR ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUP!

>

>*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

>This address is used exclusively for disseminating our ezine. If you'd

>like to join in on our discussions, send a blank email to:

>

>discusschineseherbs-

>

>All levels of knowledge and experience are welcomed!

>

>^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

>WHAT IS MEANT BY AN HERB’S “ENERGETICS”?

>

>^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

>

>The energetic properties of an herb are phenomena that can be observed

>and experienced, not arrived at by scientific analysis of individual

>chemical constituents.

>

>I had a very intuitive non-medical friend who could hold any herb in my

>pharmacopoeia and describe its energetics to me. “This one feels like

>it would make you stronger,” he’d say, holding a yang tonic herb. “It

>also feels like it would warm you up inside, make things move faster.”

>Energetics of herbs were arrived at over thousands of years of intuiting

>their qualities, testing them in the real-life laboratory of how people

>responded to them, and endless replication of those results.

>

>Chinese herbs are grouped into categories of functions. One category

>might be herbs that stop bleeding. Within that category are both warming

>and cooling herbs, as well as herbs that have affinities for different

>organ systems. To choose an herb within that category, you would look

>to which herb would be most balancing for each patient.

>

>I came to think of the categories as being like families—each individual

>in the family holds some special talent or gift, and yet they are all

>unmistakably members of the McGregor clan, all known for their strength

>and stubbornness, the kind of people you’d want on your side during a

>battle. If you also wanted a McGregor who specialized in carpentry and

>could keep a cool head under pressure, that would dramatically narrow

>your search!

>

>Herbs in categories work the same way. Rather than choosing an herb for

>its symptomatic effect—any herb known to stop bleeding—you’d first

>choose an herb with those properties that would be energetically the

>best fit for your patient. So, in choosing a stop bleeding herb for a

>pre-menopausal woman with hot flashes and excessively heavy periods,

>you’d single out one that was energetically cooling and with an affinity

>for the Liver and Spleen channels. Other clear heat and cool the blood

>herbs might be selected, along with some yin tonics, to augment the

>formula.

>

>Herbs are also characterized by their tastes, as I indicated above. In

>addition, the part of the herb used will also influence the direction

>the formula might take—flower herbs tend to lead upwards, while heavy

>roots pull energy downwards.

>

>Just like people, combinations of herbs can lead to new energetic

>creations, and just like people, sometimes you just don’t put two herbs

>together—they’ll fight!

>

>When constructing an herb formula that is more generic, that is, can be

>used safely by a wide variety of people, the energetics need to be

>balanced so the formula is neither too cooling nor heating, too

>stimulating or sedating. The organ system most usually responsible for

>a symptom—such as Liver Qi stagnation frequently resulting in tight,

>sore muscles—must be addressed, and so herbs that lead to that organ are

>selected.

>

>Enough generalities—here’s a concrete example.

>

>^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

>UNDERSTANDING A COMBINATION FORMULA

>

>*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

>

>The Valerian Herbal formula by Zand combines Chinese herbs with Valerian

>root to make a balanced formula that anyone can use for muscle aches or

>spasms, tension, and sleeplessness caused by Liver Qi stagnation.

>

>In most cases of Liver Qi stagnation there will be some form of

>accompanying internal Heat, so keep track of the temperatures of the

>herbs as you move through the formula to see how it addresses the issue

>of Heat, even though the primary herbs in the formula are warming in

>nature.

>

>The formula consists of the western herbs Valerian root, Chamomile,

>Oatstraw, and Passionflower and of the Chinese herbs Skullcap (Huang

>Qin), Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Pueraria (Ge Gen), and Schisandra (Wu Wei

>Zi). Calcium aspartate and magnesium aspartate are also added to the

>formula for the effects of muscle spasms.

>

>Zand formulas are available over-the-counter is most health food

>stores. You may also check their website at

>http://www.zand.com/zand_s/discoverzand.htm

>

>

>Valerian

>-=-=-=-=-

>

>The principle herb, Valerian, is described by Peter Holmes as being a

>bit sweet & bitter & pungent; warm with some cooling potential, and dry.

>This explains the “paradoxical” reaction many people have to

>Valerian—instead of relaxing their muscles and helping them sleep, it

>jacks them up!

>

>A person who already has internal excess heat will respond differently

>to Valerian than a person who is internally more cool and damp. The

>patient’s constitutional make-up is always the primary concern!

>

>Among its other properties, Valerian moves Qi stagnation. With

>anti-spasmodic properties, Valerian can calm both smooth muscles as well

>as visceral muscles.

>

>Used by itself in tincture, Valerian should be restricted to instances

>of Qi stagnation and yin deficiency, and never in cases of any excess,

>full heat, fever, or inflammation. By putting Valerian into a

>combination, some of its more stimulating and warming properties are

>calmed. properties are calmed.

>

>Chamomile

>-=-=-=-=-=

>

>Holmes describes Chamomile as also being a bit bitter & sweet and as

>warm with a cooling potential. Like Valerian, it circulates the Qi,

>eases the Liver and calms Wind, relieves pain and induces rest among

>other uses. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Because it can

>also act as a uterine stimulant it is not recommended during pregnancy.

>

>Oatstraw

>-=-=-=-=-=

>

>Holmes discusses the entire plant, recommending against just the use of

>oatstraw, i.e. just the stalk alone, as the flower has the most

>concentrated constituents, so I will describe his comments on the entire

>plant, understanding that the much milder aspect of it is being used in

>this formula.

>

>Oats are sweet, warm, and moistening. Among other energetic functions,

>they circulate the Qi, relax the nerves and relieve spasms, relieve pain

>and induce rest. In addition they are nourishing to the Blood, Essence,

>and Qi, lifting the spirits and aiding depression.

>

>Passionflower

>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

>

>Holmes calls Passionflower bland, cold, and dry. It cleans heat and

>calms the spirit; drains the Yang and calms the Liver; stabilizes the

>Heart and induces rest. It also circulates the Qi and loosens

>constraint, relaxing the nerves, freeing spasms, and relieving

>irritability and pain.

>

>We see that Passionflower because of its cold nature is just right for

>excess conditions including stress induced insomnia and tension. It is

>the perfect balancing herb for Valerian, and is the second strongest

>herb in the formula. Valerian and Passionflower together in a tincture

>would likely soothe any paradoxical responses to Valerian alone.

>

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>WHERE TO FIND BACK ISSUES OF HERBS & THINGS

>

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>For back issues, visit our website or click on:

>

>LearnChineseHerbs

>

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>

>Now, on to the Chinese herbs used in the formula:

>

>

>Skullcap (Huang Qin) Scutellaria

>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

>

>Skullcap is found in the Clear Heat and Dry Dampness category. It is

>bitter and cold. While traditionally often used in for

>damp heat in the Lungs, Huang Qin subdues ascendant Liver yang for

>symptoms such as irritability and headache. Holmes adds that Huang Qin

>circulates the Qi, loosens constraint, relaxes the nerves, frees spasms,

>allays excitement and pain, and induces rest. As blocked Liver energy

>is associated with anger, frustration, and feeling stuck (in traffic,

>perhaps?), Huang Qin is a great herb for overworked, overstressed

>Americans who need help relaxing!

>

>Bupleurum (Chai Hu)

>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

>

>Chai Hu is a classic, cooling Chinese herb used to raise the energy. In

>formulas, it can guide the direction of the formula upwards. Chai Hu

>is bitter, slightly acrid, and cool with an affinity for the Liver and

>Gall Bladder channels. It is found in many formulas for relaxing

>constrained Liver Qi and for disharmonies between the Liver and Spleen

>energies. When combined with Huang Qin (skullcap) it restores

>functioning of the Liver/Gallbladder energies, clearing and draining

>Damp Heat smoldering in the interior.

>

>Pueraria (Ge Gen) Kudzu Root

>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

>

>Ge Gen is sweet, acrid, and cool. Among its functions are the ability

>to release the muscles and clear Heat, especially relieving a stiff or

>tight upper back and neck.

>

>Because Ge Gen has an affinity for the Spleen and Stomach it can be used

>for treating diarrhea, which can sometimes be caused by herbs that are

>energetically too cold for a person.

>

>Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi)

>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

>

>Schisandra is sour and warm and belongs to the category of Astringent

>herbs, used to help the body hold in its Essence or vital fluids. The

>previous two herbs, being acrid, can disperse the body’s energy from the

>exterior; Schisandra balances this tendency.

>

>In addition, Schisandra has the quality of Calming the Spirit and is

>useful for insomnia.

>

>In summary, what we have is a balanced formula consisting of a warm

>Chief herb, Valerian, balanced by 3 other warm herbs and 4 other cool to

>cold herbs. Various aspects of Liver Qi stagnation are addressed, from

>relaxing the muscles to clearing Liver heat to calming the Spirit.

>

>In the years I’ve been using Valerian herbal I’ve yet to have any

>reports of side effects, other than a tendency for it to be somewhat

>sedating (though less so than using Valerian by itself), a problem

>easily remedied by lowering the dose. It should not be used in pregnancy

>and should not be used longer than two weeks consecutively without

>taking a break.

>

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>

>BOOK OF THE MONTH

>

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>

>For this month’s book selection, visit our website at

>http://www.herbdocs.com and scroll to the bottom of the home page.

>

>If you are fascinated the the energetic way of classifying herbs and

>would like to know how various western herbs function, Peter Holmes

>book, The Energetics of Western Herbs is a must. A highly entertaining

>and informative body of work, Holmes gives historical background on each

>herb as well as the Chinese versus Western ways of looking at herbs.

>Enjoy!

>

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>WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHINESE HERBS?

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>

>Chinese herbology is based on understanding the body type and energetics

>of the person being treated, and matching that person's body type

>EXACTLY with herbs that are energetically balancing for that

>individual.

>

>In our course, Learn Chinese Herbs, we explain the

>Chinese system of asking key questions and examining a person's face,

>tongue, and pulse to understand that

>person's unique pattern of disharmony. Just as each person has an

>energetic pattern, each herb and herb formula has an energetic pattern

>designed to balance disharmony and restore healthy functioning.

>

>Check our web site at http://www.herbdocs.com if you would like more

>information about the course, or if you would like to enroll in Learn

>Chinese Herbs. Credit Card and divided payments are available.

>

>*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

>Colleen DeLaney is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Medical Herbologist in

>private practice with her husband, John Struthers, L.Ac.

>

>Detailed instruction on Chinese herbal diagnosis and

>treatment is available through their course, Learn Chinese Herbs. For

>information on ordering the course, contact us at herbdocs

>or

>Check out our web site at

>http://www.herbdocs.com

>or Call us at our toll-free number at 1.888.480.2215

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>

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>

>

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