Clove and Persimmon Calyx Decoction (Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang)

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Clove and Persimmon Calyx Decoction (Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang) is an example

of a Qi Regulating formula which directs Rebellious Qi downward. It's not

getting rid of blockage but changing the direction of flow.

 

Remember from an earlier post on Fluid Pathology how the Stomach and Spleen

form an axis in the body? Stomach Qi is supposed to descend, and Spleen Qi

is supposed to ascend. If the Stomach Qi is ascending instead of descending

(can cause hiccoughs, belching, vomiting, some cases of nausea, colonic

inertia problems, etc.) and/or if Spleen Qi is descending instead of

ascending (can cause problems like prolapse of various organs), the person

has problems. There are differend things that can cause problems with this

axis, and Cold is one of them. This formula addresses Cold (from

Deficiency) in the Stomach causing Stomach Qi to rise instead of descend.

It Rebells (flows upward when it should be descending).

 

" Actions: Augments the qi, warms the middle burner " (Spleen and Stomach),

directs rebellious qi downward, and stops hiccough. "

 

" Indications: Hiccough, belching, or vomiting with a stifling sensation in

the epigastrium, " (upper middle abdoment - area under the rib cage and

diaphragm where the stomach is) " focal distention of the chest, a pale

tongue with a white coating, and a submerged, slow pulse.

 

" This is hiccough, belching, or vomiting due to cold from deficiency of the

Stomach. Chronic disease or improper treatment may injure the yang qi of

the Spleen and Stomach, which leads to cold from deficiency in the middle

burner. This disrupts the ascending and descending functions of the middle

burner. As a result, the Stomach qi, which normally descends, instead

rebels upward and manifests as hiccough, belching, or vomiting. The

stifling sensation and focal distention are due to cold that obstructs the

middle burner and upsets the qi mechanism. The white tonuge coating and the

submerged, slow pulse are indicative of cold from deficiency.

 

" Analysis of Formula: WArming the middle burner and directing rebellious qi

downward are the primary functions of this formula. The warm, aromatic Flow

Caryophylli (ding xiang) warms the Stomach, dispels cold, and directs the

flow of qi downward, stopping the hiccough and belching. It thereby

addresses both of the major functions of the formula, and is accordingly one

of the chief herbs. The other is bitter, astringent Calyx Diospyros Kaki

(shi di), which is a major herb for stopping hiccough and belching. The

combination of these two herbs is very effective in directing the rebellious

qi due to Stomach cold downward. "

 

(snip)

 

" Commentary: This formula treats hiccough due to cold from deficiency in the

Stomach and utilizes the twin strategies of warming the Stomach and

tonifying. It should be distinguished from Evodia Decoction (Wu Zhu Yu

Tang), which is used for cold from deficiency in the liver and Stomach with

vomiting upon ingestion of food, indeterminate gnawing hunger, acid

regurgitaion, dry heaves or spitting of clear fluids, and sometimes headache

at the vertex. In that case, the strategy is to warm the Liver and Stomach

while directing the rebellious qi downward.

 

" With the appropriate presentation, this formula may be used in treating

such biomedically-defined disorders as postoperative spasms of the

diaphragm, morning sickness, and neurological hiccough. "

 

There are other possible causes of Rebellious Stomach Qi than Deficiency

Cold in the Stomach. This formula will not be appropriate for those cases.

It may even aggravate Rebellious Stomach Qi with a Root other than

Deficiency Cold.

 

Ingredients:

 

Flos (flower of) Caryophylli (Ding Xiang) 6 grams

Calyx Diospyros Kaki (Shi Di) 6-9 grams

Radix (root of) Ginseng (Ren Shen) 3-6 grams

Rhizoma (rhizome of) Zingiberis Officinalis Recens (fresh) (Sheng Jiang, aka

raw ginger) 6-9 grams

 

Bensky and Barolet say that 2-3 times the dosage of Radix Codonopsis

Pilosulae (Dang Shen) can be substituted for Radix Ginseng, and that the

" dosage is not specified in the source text " .

 

Info taken from Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas & Strategies by Dan Bensky

& Randall Barolet, p.305.

 

Victoria

 

 

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